Evening star., 1934-02-22
Secretary of War Declares
ROOSeve|t'S Policies
! Averted Chaos.
SEES FAITH RENEWED
IN AMERICAN SYSTEM
Calls for Preparedness in Address
on 202d Anniversary
of Birth.

Secretary Dern today declared on
this, the 202d anniversary of George
Washington's birth. that President
Roosevelt had turned the country's
path from Communism or FaSciSm"
back to traditions of the first Presi-
dent
The War Secretary, addressing a
gathering Of patriotic organizations
mingled praise of the present Chief
Executive with a suggestion for "rea-
sonable preparedness" as the best
insurance for peace. The meeting
was held in Continental Memorial
Hall.
AS for the past. said Dern. it docs
no one any good to call names at
time like this
What has happened" he con-
tinued. ''is that we have outgrown
a system that worked pretty well
IN its day, and under which the
American people rose to the highest
average of prosperity ever known
in the world -
Chaos Held Averted.
"A year ago We were rushing head
long toward Communism or Fascism.
1 don't know which. Conditions had
grown intolerable and were getting
worse. But a change Of policy
averted chaos, and now the American
people again have faith in the
American system.
In SO doing. We are getting back
to the traditions and ideals of George
Washington"
In his talk Of preparation against
war, Dern counSeled a careful shap-
ing of public opinion against conflict.
Our six major wars" he said,
were all started by the people, for
whenever Congress has declared war
it has been in response to public
opinion"
He added also that public opinion
is nodded largely by the newspapers"
and called upon the owners and edi-
tors OF newspapers. not only of the
United States. but of the whole world
to choose which they will be, war
makers or peacemakerS.
Opposes Large Army.
The War Secretary said he person.
ally was opposed to too large an army
establishment. even though believing
the sufficient military strength should
exist for reasonable preparedness.
"ConScrlption or compulsory mill
tary service, despite the physical and
moral value OF the training and disci-
pline to the soldier" Dern said, "is
repugnant to American ideals. A
large standing army is likewise OBJ
jectionable. not from the standpoint
Of cost alone. but also because of the
danger that it might usurp the func-
tions of the civil government.
"AS one who has never favored an
overgrown military establishment on
account of its potential dangers. I am
happy to assure my fellow citizens
that In the American Army this
danger is remote indeed. Every day
in every way the Army, from top to
bottom, is indoctrinated with the duty
OF SubSerVienCe and obedience to civil
authority"
The patriotic exercises were con-
Quoted under the joint auspices of the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton, the Sons of the American Rev.
olution. Sons of the Revolution and
the Children of the American Revolu-
tion.
Mrs. Magma Speaks.
Mrs William Russell Magma. presi-
dent general of the D. A. R., also
made a patriotic address!
A feature of the observance was
the awarding of medal to Miss Jane
Hill. student at George Washington
University. class of 1888. for the best
essay on THE Period 1776-1786." 1t
was presented on behalf of the District
Society, D. A. r., by Mrs. Harry Col
fax Grove. State regent. This was
followed by the presentation of a
similar medal by Representative Will
bur D. Adams of Delaware to Miss
Leona Shade of Central High School,
for the best essay on "Delawares
Contribution to the War of the Revo-
luton" The medal was given by the
Sons of the Revolution.
Representatives of each Of the
societies sponsoring the ceremonies
placed wreath at the base of the
Washington Monument. They were
Maj. Edward F. Riggs, Sons of the
Revolution; Henry Whitefield Sam
son. Sons of the American Revolu-
ton; Mrs. F. B. Linton, Daughters of
the American Revolution, and Miss
Eleanor Browning Barton, Children
of the American Revolution.
Meanwhile President Roosevelt laid
plans to visit Mount Vernon and place
a wreath on the tomb of Washington
on the Mount Vernon estate.
The Presidents visit to Mount Ver-
non will be late this afternoon by au-
tomobile. He will be accompanied by