The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
NEVER PERFECT
u. S. LIBERTY,
DERN STATES
Country Still Far Short of
Social Justice, Says
War Secretary.
By United Press

BU tnited Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. GA re-
turn to the principles of George
Washington was urged today by
George H. Dern, secretary of war.
Speaking at Memorial Continental
hall under the auspices of a number
Of patriotic societies on the 202d
anniversary of Washington's birth,
MI. Dern cited Washington's adj
vice, in his farewell address, in
favor of reasonable preparedness, 3"
| but said this did not mean the
| United States should maintain IAN
overgrown military establishment"
Transcription, or compulsory mill
tary service. despite the physical and
moral value of the training and
discipline to the soldier, is repug-
nant to American ideals" Mr.. Dern
said. "a large standing army is
likewise Objectionable. not from the
standpoint of cost alone, but also
because of the danger that it might
usurp the functions of the civil gov
| eminent.
Only Skeleton Army
TT is because of this national
sentiment that we have hardly any
standing army at ALL but only a
skeleton framework upon which an
army may be built in time of
emergency. In numbers we rank
with Greece and Portugal. AS a
great nation, how could we better
show the world that we have no ag-
gressive intentions?
AS one who has never favored
an overgrown military establish
ment on account of its potential
dangers, I am happy to assure my
fellow-citizens that in the American
army this danger is remote indeed"
In appealing for a return to the
principles of liberty for which
Washington fought, Mr.. Dern said
this was the brand of liberty that
spells equal opportunity for all.
What About Jobless?
rs it enough for the government
to guarantee that the citizen shall
not be killed, or sold into slavery.
or held up by robbers?" Mr.. Dern
asked.
What about the man who is will
ing, able and anxious to work but
can not find a job and whose wife
and children are dying of starvation,
cold and exposure? has he no
rights except the assurance that
he is safe from being killed? Does
not the right to life imply the right
to decent, satisfactory life, rather
than a mere, miserable existence?
What about the producer who,
through no fault of his own, can not
get enough for his product to en-
able him to live the kind of life
that he is entitled to live? Is the
right to the pursuit of happiness
not CHASTITY delusion for him?
Never Perfect Liberty
mo, my fellow citizens, we have
never had perfect liberty in the
United States, and hence we still
are far short of equal opportunity
and social justice. 1t is true that
serious attempt is now being made
to minimize exploitation and legal.
lied robbery, but that does not mean
that liberty is dead"
Touching on the realm of inter-
national relations, Mr.. Dern said
war or peace is made by public opin-
ion, rather than by rulers of the
nations. And public opinion, he
said, is nodded largely by the news
papers, either through the manner
in which they report the news or
through their editorial columns.
IF newspaper plays up the in
falmmatory utterances of some ia
matte, and plays down what is said
by thoughtful, sober minded stu
dent of world problems, it takes it's
place in the ranks of the war max
erS," Mr.. Dern said
And so, I call upon the owners
and editors Of newspapers, not only
of the United States, but of the
whole world, to choose which they
will be, war-makers or peace
makers"