Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-21
Weeks WOULD keep
DEFENSE ARM STRONG
Tells Audience at V. NJ. l.
Country Depends On Mill
tary Schools.
SEEK GOOD OF THE COUNTRY
secretary Urges students to Devote
Share of Their Time md Alteration
to Affair, of Their Nation, 81 ms to
Hc Ready for Emergency.
GBy Associated prcss.l


LEXINGTON. VA, June 2O.--Scc-
rotary Weeks. speaking here today
10 the graduating class at the Nir-
Ginia Military Institute, hailed as "A
good sign" the increasing number
OF military schools In the country.
The increase. he said. must be !,
great satisfaction TO those bclicv-
ing In adequate military prepared
ness.
II do not mean preparation for
war tho secretary continued. AN
education at such n school does not
create passion for war. In fact.
my experience has been that those
who know most about war are tho
ones most DESTROYS OF preventing II.
We cannot be unmindful OF the fact
however. that. In order TO survive,
Il nation must possess "A military
force sufficient TO defend IL from
the enemy without and within. TO
make secure its Sovereignty. and Sc
cure enforcement of its laws
Relies on Training OF Youth.
The Federal government ,spo-
cially the war Department. places
great reliance on the results Of ~
education and training at this il, e
Sttution. I believe that other ,hiu-s
being equal. in addition TO his capac-
ity to serve his country In time Of
need. man who has received mill.
tary training Is better equipped to
meet tho problems OF life than ,ba
man who has not had tho bench, OF
such training. The training given
In the standard military schools Of
our country !: great asset to the
young man about to undertake a
career and the rcspons Utilities of
citizenship. |; gives him po!sc. a
mi lid
hiEeness OF action. "A knowledge OF
tho advantages OF clean thinking
and living. and nigh sense OF
honor.
appeal to YOU, therefore. tina,
whatever may be your vocation af-
ter leaving this institution. to de-
vote some part OF your time to tho
affairs OF your country. It IS not
necessary for you 10 seek public Of
nee. put IL Is essential that you give
10 your country the benefit Of the
training and education you have re.
ccifcd here. Resist all attcmp,s 10
turn from the representative form
OK government created By tho Con
Stitntion and take an active intcrcs,
III inc affairs OF your community IN
inc extent Of seeing that only wise
trustworthy and courageous men arc
elected TO public office This tx tho
duty OF good citizen and unless
"e can obtain from such schools
Az TINS and the multitude Of schools
maintained throughout the country
the men capable OF performing these
important duties OF citizenship. then
We must face the certainly OF a
failure OF popular government.
GU have been trained TO lead
men Should your country become
engaged In war. It will he your duty
10 command your fcllowmcn in the
defense OF the nation. Let me urrc
you 10 keep yourselves prepared for
efhcient service TO the nation in the
event OF such an emergency by ioin-
ms tho National Guard or the Or.
Ganized reserve. If you do no, wish
to become connected with q military
organization, at least take an ac
tive interest IN the military cstab.
Nshment and determine that YOUR
country VIII have the best trained
ana most efficient military fo:cc IL
Is possible TO develop, and that IL
shall be OF sufficient strength to-
meet the requirement OF the nation %