The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-06-03
TRAINED MEN
NEEDED FOR
PEACE, HESAYS
Coolidge Awards Diplomas
To Young Graduates of
Naval Academy
PEACE WILL PREVAIL
Declares Attitude of u. S.
Is Good Will to All
Nations of World

Annapolis, Md, June 3.-Re-
ductiOn of the nations standing
military forces to minimum Is
predicated upon attention to mill
tary affairs by the average citi-
zen, President Coolidgc declared
here today before the graduating
class of the Naval Academy.
While appointing the new Off
GERS as ambassadors of peace and
citizenship. the President reminded
them that the first essential of
peace and security is an adequate
defense, which SHOULD be broadly
extended and borne by all our
people,"
I'VE do not believe in or wish to
bear the expense to maintain large
standing military forces" he said.
Tho very genius of n republic
would he threatened by that policy.
But while military science has adj
vanced to such degree that it is
necessary CONF antly to maintain a
considerable body of trained cx-
rcrts in that profession, the true
spirit of American institutions re-
quircs that each citizen should be
potentially a soldier, ready to take
his place in the ranks in time of
peril, either in the field or in the
necessary productive activity.
1T is exactly because we wish
70 keep cur standing forces small
that the average citizen must give
some attention to military affairs,
precisely as he gives some atten-
tion to other government affairs,
in order that he may express a de-
lib< rate and informed judgment at
tho ballot box"
The President reiterated that
aim was "a policy of peace
through reason rather than force"
and declared that in its dealings
with the peoples Of this and other
nations, the Navy must remember
that the dominant traits of mankind
are truth and justice and righteous
ness, and that the appeal to reason
must ultimately prevail"
Peace Will Prevail
Though ultimately l believe peace
will prevail" he continued, II have
too much knowledge of the history
of mankind and too much experience
with the traits of human nature to
dare to assert that we shall never
again be engaged in war. 1t is known
of all the world that we have no pre-
sent or. traditional enmities, that we
covet no territory, harbor no imper-
ialistic designs, and are not arming
ourselves with the expectation of at
tacking or being attacked. And so
far as we can look into the future,
SO far as we can gauge the power
and temper of other peoples, there
never was time when it was less
likely that any other nation or COM
bination of nations would or could
make any attack on us.
"As one who is responsible not on
ly for our national defense, but like
wise our friendly relations with 9TH
er peoples and our title to the good
opinion of the world, feel that the
occasion will very seldom arise, and
l know it does not now exist, when
those connected with our Navy are
justified, either directly or by in
ference, in asserting that other
specified powers are arming against
us, and by arousing national suspi-
cion and hatred attempting to cause
us to arm against them.
Serious Change Made
"The suggestion that any other
people are harboring a hostile in
tent toward us is very serious
charge to make. We would not re-
lish having our honorable motives
and peaceful intentions questioned: !:
others can not relish having any of
us question theirs. We should not
forget that in the world over the
general attitude and one of the
strongest attributes of all peoples is
a desire to do right. k
As an instrument of peace, Mr..
Coolidge gave assurance that the
Navy would draw adequate support
from the federal treasury and he
gave support also to voluntary or
which attempted to ad-
vance the welfare of the Navy by
keeping the public informed "of it's
true aims and purposes" A strong
military establishment alone, he said,
would not prevent anyone from ever
attempting to molest the nation.
II know of no nation in history
that has ever been able to attain
that position" he said. II see no
reason to expect that we could be
the exception. Although I believe
in adequate military pre-
what I am trying to ar
que is that they are not sufficient
unto themselves.
"lf we are to promote peace on
earth we must have. q great deal
more than the power Of the sword
We must call into action the spiri-
tual and moral forces Of mankind"