Evening star., 1925-06-03
NAT|ONMUST AID
|NARMAMENT CUT,
PRESIDENT SAYS
Tells Midshipmen Average
Citizen Must Bear Mill
tary Burden.
TRAINED EXPERTS MERE
NUCLEUS, HE DECLARES
Every American a Potential Sol
dier, He Points Out to Annap-
oils Graduates.
Fr the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. June 3.-Re-
duction of the Nations standing mil
itary forces TO a minimum is predi-
Gated upon attention to military af-
fairs by the average citizen. Presi-
dent Coolidge declared here today
before the graduating class of the
Naval Academy.
While appointing the new officers
as ambassadors of peace and citi-
zenship. 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.
THE very genius of a republic would
be threatened by that policy. But while
military science has advanced to such
degree that it is necessary con-
stantly to maintain a considerable
body of trained experts in that pro-
feSSion, the true spirit of American
institutions requires that each citi-
zen 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.
Peace Through Reason"
1T is exactly because we wish to
keep our standing forces small that
the average citizen must give some
attention to military affairs, precisely
as he gives some attention to other
Government affairs, in order that he
may express deliberate and informed
Judgment at the ballot box"
The President reiterated that Amer
ica's 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 righteousness,
and that the appeal to reason must
ultimately prevail
"Though ultimately I believe peace
will prevail" he continued, Il 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 pres
ent or traditional enmities, that we
covet no territory, harbor no i'm
perialistic designs, and are not arming
ourselves with the expectation of at
far as we can look into the future, so
far as we can gage the power and
temper of other peoples, there never
was q time when it was less likely
that any other nation or combination
of nations would or could make any
attack on us.
No War Now Threatened.
LAS one who is responsible not
only for our national defense, but
likewise our friendly relations with
other peoples and our title to the good
opinion of the world, l feel that the
occasion will very seldom arise, and
know it does not now exist, when
those connected with our Navy are
justified, either directly or by infer
ence, in asserting that other specified
powers are arming against us and by
arousing national suspicion and hat
red attempting to cause us to arm
against them"
As an instrument of peace, Mr..
Coolidge gave assurance that the
Navy would draw adequate support
from the Federal Treasury. A strong
military establishment alone, he said,
would not prevent any one 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, Il see no reason
TO expect that we could be the ex-
ception. Although 1 believe thorough
" in adequate military preparations,
what 1 am trying TO argue Is that
they are not sufficient unto them
selves.
Enlist Moral Force.
IF we are to promote peace on
earth we must have great deal more
than the power of the sword. We
must call into action the spiritual and
moral forces of mankind"
The text of the Presidents speech
was as follows:
Members of the class of 1925:
The poet reminds US that 'Knowl-
edge comes, but wisdom fingers. 1t
may not be difficult to store UP in
the mind a vast quantity of facts
within a comparatively short time,
but the ability to form correct judg-
ments requires the severe discipline
of hard work and the tempering heat
of experience and maturity. By
your previous preparation and by
your four years course at this insti-
tuition your diploma will testify that
YOU are possessed of knowledge.
Your future life will reveal your at
tainments in wisdom. l have come
here to. express the faith that your
country holds in your abiding worth
and in your ability to succeed.
You have chosen a profession
which represents one of the great
military arms of our Government
You will be a constant testimony
throughout your lives that America
believes in military preparation for
national defense, for the protection
of the rights, the security and peace
of her citizen. You will be called
to places of responsibility and COM
mand. You will be given the power
of life and death over the fellow
courtrymen. You will represent the
power, the glory, and the honor OF
this Nation among foreign peoples
with all the prominence that arises
from wearing the uniform and carry
ing the flag. What you are the
American sailor will be, and what
you represent the American Navy
will represent in the ports of our
own country and, in those of foreign
peoples, where little will be known
of the nature of authority under lib
erty save what is learned from you
You have been chosen for this high
calling.
But while you will serve the Ma
, ton in this special field of endeavor
IL L. l.