Show strong trong permanent erman ent army amy will be natio national na need when peace comes by CHARLES V W ELIOT president emeritus ot of farrard university since tho the sinking of the lusitania I 1 have been convinced ed that the present german government i is faithless with regard to all international contracts contrasts treaties or agreements so that no other nation or group of nations can put confidence in in any future asseverations or pledge of that government until by a long course ten years at least of honorable conduct the government and people of germany have established a new reputation for truth troth and honesty and for honor in international relations many months before war was declared in april last I 1 held that active participation of the united states in the war against germany was the clear duty of the american people and also that the ahe united states should join the entente allies ii in U an offensive and defensive nive alliance to prevent international war when the present war is over and therefore should maintain a strong national army and navy based on universal training and universal liability to service in war to be sure in respect to tho the provision of a strong american army and navy based on universal training and liability to service it has thus far been quite impossible to bring congress or indeed the general public to de definite finitsi far reaching C action to the great disappoint disappointment nic nt of many american patriots so that the army and navy of the united states at this moment rest on temporary or provisional enactments which provide only for enlistments for the war or the emergency I 1 venture to hope that when the temporary enactments of the present congress have taken effect congress will feel disposed to provide the ifie country with a large democratic and permanent army on the swiss model to that end indispensable if the united states is to contribute to the prevention of war hereafter most of the recent temporary arrangements will prove to b be e contributory the people but particularly the young men have gone into this war to put down auto autocratic bratic divine right government to abolish the professional military class and secret diplomacy to make jus justice tice or righteousness the governing principle in international relations and to promote liberty among the masses of mankind they will not lose their ardor in this righteous cause or abate their efforts in even the least degree |