MR. LANSING'S ADDRESS TO AMERICAN OFFICERS.

We hare obtained a full report of the memorable address delivered by Mr. Robert Lansing, the American Secretary of Slate, to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Madison Barracks, New Pork, on Sunday, July 29th last. As hitherto only fragments of this address have beets published in England, we are sure that our readers trill be glad to hare it in full.]

GENTLEMEN : It is an opportunity which I greatly appreciate to be here this evening and to say a few words to you about the great enterprise in which you are to be participants. There are so many things to be said, so many viewpoints, that it is hard to know how to deal with the subject in a way that will appeal to the greatest number.

First, we must all realize that we are living in the most momentous time in all history, in a time when the lives and destinies of nations are in the balance, when even the civilization, which has taken centuries to build, may crumble before the terrible storm which is sweeping over Europe. We are not only living in this critical period, but we, as a nation, have become a participant in the struggle. Having cast our lot on the side of the Powers allied against the Imperial German Government, we will put behind our decision the full power and the resources of the Republic. We intend to win in this mighty conflict, and we will win because our cause is the cause of justice and of right and of humanity.

I wonder how many of us comprehend what the outcome of this war means to mankind, or, to bring it nearer to each one of us, what it means to our country. I sometimes think that there prevail very erroneous impressions as to the reasons why we entered the war, not the immediate reasons, but the deep underlying reasons which affect the life and future of the United States and of all other liberty- loving nations throughout the world.

Of course the immediate cause of our war against Germany was the announced purpose of the German Government to break its promises as to indiscriminate submarine warfare and the subsequent renewal of that ruthless method of destruction with increased vigour and brutality.

While this cause was in itself sufficient to force us to enter the war if we would preserve our self-respect, the German Government's deliberate breach of faith and its utter disregard of right and life had a far deeper meaning, a meaning which had been growing more evident as the war had progressed, and which needed but this act of perfidy to bring it home to all thinking Americans. The evil character of the German Government is laid bare before the world. We know now that that Government is inspired with ambitions which menace human liberty, and that to gain its end it does not hesitate to break faith, to violate the most sacred rights, or to perpetrate intolerable acts of inhumanity.

It needed but the words reported to have been uttered by the German Chancellor to complete the picture of the character of his Government when he announced that the only reason why the intensified submarine campaign was delayed until February last was that sufficient submarines could not be built before that time to make the attacks on commerce effective. Do you realize that this means, if it means anything, that the promises to refrain from brutal submarine warfare which Germany had made to the United States were never intended to be kept, that they were only made in order to gain time in which to build more submarines, and that when the time came to act the German promises were unhesitatingly torn to pieces like other " scraps of paper " 7

It is this disclosure of the character of the Imperial German Government which is the underlying cause of our entry into the war. We had doubted, or at least many Americans had doubted, the evil purposes of the rulers of Germany. Doubt remained no longer. In the light of events u-e could read the past and see that for a quarter of a century the absorbing ambition of the military oligarchy which,

was the master of the German Empire was for world dominion. Every agency in the fields of commerce, industry, science, and diplomacy had been directed by the German Government to this supreme end. Philosophers and preachers taught that the destiny of Germany was to rule the world, thus preparing the mind of the German people for the time when the mighty engine which the German Government had constructed should crush all opposition and the German Emperor should rule supreme.

For nearly three years we have watched the conduct of the Imperial Government, and wo have learned more and more of the character of that Government and of its aims. We came very slowly to a realizing sense that not only was the freedom of the European nations at stake, but that liberty throughout the world was threatened by the powerful autocracy which was seeking to gratify its vast ambition.

Not impulsively, but with deliberation, the American people reached the only decision which was possible from the standpoint of their own national safety. Congress declared that a state of war existed between the United States and the Imperial Govern- ment of Germany, and this country united with the other Liberal nations of the earth to crush the Power which sought to erect on the ruins of democracy a world Empire greater than that of Greece or Rome or the Caliphs.

The President has said, with the wonderful ability which he has to express aptly a great thought in a single phrase, that "the world meet be made safe for democracy." In that thought there is more than the establishment of liberty and self-government for all nations, there is in it the hope of an enduring peace.

I do not know in the annals of history an instance where a people with truly democratic institutions permitted their Government to wage a war of aggression, a war of conquest. Faithful to their treaties, 83rmpathetic with others seeking self-development, real democracies, whether monarchical or republican in their forms of government, desire peace with their neighbours and with all mankind.

Were every people on earth able to express their will there would be no wars of aggression, and if there were no wars of aggression then there would be no wars, and lasting peace would come to this earth. The only way that a people can express their will is through democratic institutions. Therefore, when the world is made safe for democracy, when that great principle prevails, universal peace will be an accomplished fact.

No nation or people will benefit more than the United States when that time comes. But it has not yet come. A great people, ruled in thought and word, as well as in deed, by the most sinister Government of modern times, is straining every nerve to supplant democracy by the autocracy which they have been taught to worship. When will the German people awaken to the truth ? When will they arise in their might and cast off the yoke and become their own masters ? I fear that it will not be until the physical might of the united democracies of the world has destroyed for ever the evil ambitions of the military rulers of Germany, and liberty triumphs over its arch-enemy.

And yet in spite of these truths which have been brought to light in these last three years I wonder how many Americans feel that our democracy is in peril, that our liberty needs protection, that the United States is in real danger from the malignant forces which are seeking to impose their will upon the world, as they have upon Germany and her deceived Allies.

Let us understand once for all that this is no war to establish an abstract principle of right. It is a war in which the future of the United States is at stake. If any among you have the idea that we are fighting others' battles and not our own, the sooner ho gets away from that idea the better it will be for him, the better it will be for all of us.

Imagine Germany victor in Europe because the United States remained neutral. Who, then, think you, would be the next victim of those who are seeking to be masters of the whole earth ? Would not this country, with its enormous wealth, arouse the cupidity of an impoverished, though triumphant, Germany ? Would not this democracy be the only obstacle between the autocratic rulers of Germany and their supreme ambition ? Do you think that they would withhold their hand from so rich a prize ?

Let me then ask you, would it be easier or wiser for Uhl wuntry

single-handed to resist a German Empire, flushed with victory and with great armies and navies at its command, than to unite with the brave enemies of that Empire in ending now and for all time this menace to our future ?

Primarily, then, every man who crosses the ocean to fight on foreign soil against the armies of the German Emperor goes forth to fight for his country and for the preservation of those things for which our forefathers were willing to dia. To those who thus offer themselves we owe the same debt that we owe to those men who in the past fought on American toil in the cause of liberty. No, not the same debt, but a greater one. It calls for more patriotism, more self-denial, and a truer 'vision to wage war on distant shores than to repel an invader or defend one', home. .I therefore congratulate you, young mon, in your choice of service. You have done a splendid thing. You have earned already the gratitude of your countrymen and of generations of Americans to come. Your battle flags will become the cherished trophies of a nation which will never forget those who bore them in the cause of liberty.

I know that some among you may consider the idea that Germany would attack us, if she won this war, to be improbable but let him who doubts remember that the improbable, yea, the impossible, has been happening in this war from the beginning. If you had been told prior to August, 1914, that the German Govern- ment would disregard its solenni treaties and send its armies into Belgium, would wantonly burn Louvain, would murder defenceless people, would extort ransoms from conquered cities, would carry away men and women into slavery, would, like Vandals of old. destroy some of history's most cherished monuments, and would with malicious purpose lay waste the fairest fields of France and Belgium, you would have indignantly denied the possibility. You would have exclaimed that Germans, lovers of art and learning. would never permit such foul deeds. To-day you know that the unbelievable has happened,.that all these crimea have been eons- nutted, not under the impulse of passion, but under official orders.

Again, if you bad been told before the war that German submarine commanders would sink peaceful vessels of commerce and send to sudden death men, women, and little children, you would have declared such scientific brutality to be impossible. Or if you had been told that German aviators would fly over thickly populated cities, scattering missiles of death and destruction, with no other purpose than to terrorize the innocent inhabitants, you would have denounced the very thought as unworthy of belief and as a calumny upon German honour. Yet, God help us, these flange have coma to pass, and iron crosses have rewarded the perpetrators.

But there is more, far more, which might be added to this record of unbelievable things which the German Government has done. I only need to mention the attempt of the Foreign Office at Berlin to bribe Mexico to make war upon us by promising her American territory. it was only one of many intrigues which the German Government was carrying on in many lands. Spies and con- spirators were sent throughout the world. Civil discord was encouraged to weaken the potential strength of nations which might be obstacles to the lust of Germany's rulers for world mastery. Those of German blood who owed allegiance to other countries were appealed to to support the Fatherland, which beloved name masked the military clique at Berlin.

Some day I hope that the whole tale may be told. It will be an astounding tale indeed. But enough has been told, to that there no longer remains the shadow of a doubt as to the chars: ter of Germany's rulers, of their amazing ambition for world empire, and of their intense hatred for democracy.

The day has gone by when we can measure possibilities by past experiences, or when we believe that any physical obstacle is so great or any moral influence is so potent as to cause the Germain autocracy to abandon its mad purpose of world conquest.

It was the policy of those, who plotted and made ready fur the time to accomplish the desire of the German Inlets, to lull into false security the great nations which they intended to subdue, so that when the storm broke they would be unprepared. flow well they succeeded you know. But democracy no longer sleep. It is fully awake to the menace which threatens it. The American people, trustful and friendly, were reluctant to believe that Imperialism again threatened the peace and liberty of the world. Conviction came to them at last, and with it prompt action The American nation arrayed itself with the other great democracies of the earth against the genius of evil which broods over the deAinica of Central Europe.

No thought of material gain and no thought of material loss impelled this action. Inspired by the highest motives, American manhood prepared to risk all for the right. I am proud of my country. I am proud of my countrymen. I ant proud of our national character. With lofty purpose, with pathetic fervour, with intense earnestness, the American democracy hart drawn the sword, which it will not :Menthe mint it the baneful forces of absolutism go down defeated and broken.

Who can longer doubt—and there have been 111411y who have doubted in these critical days—the power of that eternal spirit of freedom which lives in every true American heart 1 illy friends, I am firmly convinced that the independence of no nation is safe, that the liberty of no individual is sure, until the

military despotism which holds the German people in the hollow of its hand has been made impotent and harmless for ever. Appeals to justice, to moral obligation, to honour, no longer avail with such a Power. There is but one way to resters peace to the world, and that is by overcoming the physical might of German Imperialism its+ force of nrms.

For its own safety as well es for the canteen of human liberty this street Republic is marshalling its armies and preparing with all its vigour to aid in ridding Germany, re well as the world, of the most ambitious end most unprincipled autocracy which has antigen to stay the wheels of progress and imperil Christian civilization.

It is to this great muse you, who are present hem to-night, like the-mantle of other loyal Americans, have dedicated yourselves. Upon each one of you much depends. You are going forth into foreign lands, not only ns guardians of the flag of your country and of the lib:slice of your countrymen, but as guardians of the national Inonour of the United States. American character will be judged by sour conduct ; American spirit by your deeds. As you maintain ■ ourselves courageously and honourably, so will you bring glory to the flag which wo all love as the emblem of our national unity and indegendence.

1 know that it is unnecessary to emphasize the responsibilities which will rest upon you as you lead the men under your command. To their officers they will look for iuidenco and example, not only in the battle line, but in the camp and on the march. Your responsi- bilities are great. As you meat them an will your services be measured by your country.

It is in the toil and danger of so great an adventure as you are soon to experience that ft man's true character will become manifest. lie will be brought face to face with the realities. The little things which once engrossed his thought and stalled forth his energies will Le forgotten in the stern events of his new life. The sternness of it ell will not deprive him of the satisfactions which comes from doing his best. As he found gratification and joy in the peaceful pursuits of the old life, so will be find a deeper gratification and greater joy is serving his country loyally and doing his part in moulding the future aright.

And, when your tusk is completed, when the grim days of battle ere over and you return ounce more to the quiet life of your profession or occupation, which you have so generously abandoned at your country's call, you will find in the gratitude of your countrymen an ample reward for the groat sacrifice which you have made.

If enthusiasm and ardour can make success sure, then we Ameri- cans have no cause for anxiety, no reason to doubt the outcome of the conflict. But enthusiasm and ardour are not all. They must to founded on a profound conviction of the righteousness of our ctunso and on an implicit faith that the God of Battles will strengthen the arm of hint who fights for the right. In the time of stressandgy Torii, when a man stands face to face with death in its most terrible fours, God will not desert him who puts his trust in Him. It is at such a time that the eternal verities will be disclosed. It is then, when.you realize that existence is more than this life and that over our destinies watches ant all-powerful and compassionate God, you still stand amidst the storm of battle unflinching and unafraid.

There is no higher praise that can be bestowed upon a soldier of the Republic than to say that ho served his country faithfully anti trended in his God. Such I earnestly hope will be the praise to which each oats of you will be entitled when peace returns to this suffering earth, and mankind rejoices that the world is made safe for democracy.