New Britain herald., 1923-11-12
OBSERVE
 ARMISTICE SIGNING
Attend Divine Services and Dedi- cate Memorial Athletic Field

Armistice Day was observed in this city yesterday by ex-seryicemen, vet erans of the Spanish-American war and members of the Grand Army of the republic. The program was car- ried out as arranged although not on as large scale as anticipated. Ex- ercises were held in the morning at Trinity M. F. church, about 200 rep resentatives of patriotic organizations being present with the veterans. An inspiring sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. John L. Davis.
 In the afternoon parade was held. It was small compared with previous patriotic pageants but thous- ands of citizens lined the curbs to watch the boys go marching by. The days program was completed with the dedication of Memorial field at Willow Brook park. Ms. Mary T. Srean sang and the address was de- livered by Rev. J. Leo Sullivan.
 Sermon At Trinity Church
 Rev. MT. Davis sermon in the ''oihiae "oSt At part do iolloWs'
 This institution, this church and all churches. stand for the things you men fought to preserve for us. It Is the church that is to save civiliza- tion In this time of conflict and con- fusion if it Is ever to be saved from wreck and run, no other institution is adequate to save the world
 Another reason you men are here is through gratitude and appreciation and love for those who gave their lives in France that our nation might live and be free. We must never for get the sacrifice they have made.
 Another reason We are here this morning is that we might re-learn and have stamped indelibly upon our minds some of the lessons that the war has taught us. do not know anything else to get out Of the war, now that it is over,, unless it is the lessons we can get from it. One of the great lessons that the war taught us is that it is just as important to make peace as it is to make war and war peace is just as responsible for conditions as bad and evil war. When the war was over and Ger many was licked. it was the wish that some financial experts be called in 10 determine just what Germany should pay. Ambassador Simmons estimated that about s1l,o00, 1000, 00O was all Germany could pay, but in- stead of that England and France were so anxious to get tho reparation for all the costs of the war in every way paid by Germany. that they in- sisted upon something like s3s,000,- 100000 instead of sil.oo0, ,o00, 900 for Germany to pay. Germany has laid down on the job. Now France and England wish VIC had had this mat. ter settled by financial experts, for nfter five years. VIC have accomplished little, most of the time we have been in war and still are facing war. Everybody feels that France should he paid as much as possible. but you cannot get blood out of a turnip.
 Criticizcs Lloyd George
 'rjoyd George said the other day, There is no use to hit a man when he Is down. and yet he was one of those who wanted to put a man there in the carly days. It is just assim- portant to make the right kind of peace as to make war. As it is. America stands today where she stood at the beginning, the only successful way to do is to have financial experts determine what Germany can pay and then make her pay that.
 Another lesson VIC have learned from the war is that the modern forts as they were built mean nothing in modern implements Of var. The forts of Belgium and France mean nothing against the German guns.
 If there is another war it will be tho most awful in the worlds his- tory. because the poisonous gases and powerful flying forces could de- stroy the population of whole city. If will be 100 years before we will get over the effects of the last. war.
 We have learned another thing. We Americans who always have lived In snug content, secure in tho feeling that nobody could reach us from across the Atlantic or Pacific. know now we are not immune, that an enemy could land here and attack New York or Boston in two or three days.
 Also we have learned that out of s4.00o,oo0 men who we thought were soldiers and ready to fight and could fight, out of 54,0oo,0 900 only 10.000,oo were fit for overseas work and only 1s.o00.o00 were fit for the army and navy here in this country. That was a surprise for us. We have learned that we had millions who on account of defective feet, eyes and teeth were not fit for service of the country. We have profited by these lessons because we are beginning in our schools to take better care of our children. fin examining the eyes. teeth and feet of the children so they win not grow up with these defects, which if taken early enough can be easily remedied.
 We have learned in America that aii people living here are not loyal to the flag. Ii was a great surprise to me to learn that hundreds and taou- sans living in the '. s. had no use for the flag and in times of danger would Eo back and fight against the coun- try.
 Now in the factories and in the schools we are pushing Americaniza- ton work more than ever before so