The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-05-09
. After Many
Years
The Wise Ones
And The War
A Few Words From
Gen. lueius Aemilius
We Pass Them On 10 the
Arm Chair Generals
BY T. 7. SHORT

BY T. I. SHORT
MANY years ago - to be
w exact, two thousand one
hundred and ten - there lived
one Titus Livius Livy. Roman
historian and philosopher. He
was wise beyond his generation.
Though he spent most OF his
time in Rome and numbered
among his friends the most emf
nent men of his day, he kept
aloof from politics. He prefer
red to sit on the sidelines and
watch the antics of the politi-
clans who differed not much
from the politicians of today.
Personally, Livy had Repub-
lican leanings Eyes, the name Of
the COP is that old, as are some
of its traditions), but he also
was friendly with Augustus and
consequently had inside informa-
ton on about everything that
was going on.
Livy's principal work was q
history of Rome in t42 volumes.
He wrote in the interpretative
style and besides recording facts
ne often philosophical on cpl
sodes of that day and frequently
set down the speeches of the
political and military leaders.
Such an instance appears in
Book XLIV, chapter %, in the
report of a speech by Lucius
Aemilius Paulus, who had been
chosen to conduct the war
against the Mscedonians B. C.
1856.
There must have been then,
as there are today, wise ones
who assumed to give advice on
everything. Evidently they had
been advising the government
on how to conduct the war.
Lucius Aemilius had heard them
talk, and Immediately after his
appointment he left the senate
chamber and addressed them as
follows:
I'm every circle, and truly,
at every table. there are people
who lead armies into Macedo-
mia; who know where the
camp ought to be placed; what
posts ought TO be occupied by
troops; when and through
what pass Macedonia should
he entered; where magazines
should be formed; how provi-
sions should be conveyed by
land and sea; and when II Is
proper to engage the enemy,
when to lie quiet.
And they not only determine
what is best to be done, but if
anything is done in any other
manner than what they have
pointed out, they arraign the
consul as if he were on trial.
l am not one of those who
think that the commanders
ought never TO receive advice;
on the contrary, 1 deem that man
more proud than wise who did
everything of his own single
judgment.
What then is my opinion?
That commanders should be
counseled, chiefly, by persons Of
known talent; by those, especi-
ally, who are skilled in the art
Of war, and who have been
taught by experience; and next,
by those who are present at the
scene of action, who see the
country, who see the enemy, who
see the advantages that occas-
ions offer, and who, embarked,
as it were, in the same ship,
are sharers of the danger.
II therefore anyone thinks
himself qualified 10 give adj
vice respecting the war which
i am to conduct, which may
prove advantageous TO the
public, let him not refuse his
assistance to the state, but
let him come with me into
Macedonia. He will be furn-
ished by me with a ship, a
horse. tent and even with
his travelling charges.
But II ne thinks this too much
trouble and prefers the repose
Of a city life to the tolls Of war,
let him not, on land. assume the
office Of a pilot. The city in it,
self furnishes abundance Of
topics for conversation; let him
oonfine his passion for talking
10 those topics and rest assured
that we shall confine ourselves
70 our military councils.
These words Of Luscius Ae-
milius Paulus are passed on for
the benefit Of the armchair gem
erals and lounge strategists who
are advising the military au-
thorities Of the United States
or the conduct Of the war.
SO THEY SAY
A person can't sit around do