L, 
THE QueEstion of military preparedness will not 
down despite all of the preachments of the peace-at-any- 
price party. The time has long since passed when this 
nation can depend upon its volunteer recruits to meet a 
situation when it arises. The government should address 
‘itself seriously to the problem in order to meet a problem 
of this nature. It is already an acknowledged fact that 
there are not enough officers in the regular employ of the 
government to properly equip and train raw recruits. War 
in these days is a highly scientific game and exactness and 
discipline are as necessary as love of country, loyalty and 
bravery. There are two sides to the military prepared- 
ness argument. The peace propagandists believe that 
the preparation of Germany precipitated the war and the 
militarists say that if Great Britain had been armed, train- 
ed and prepared the war never would been begun.  Mili- 
tarism is undesirable. War is not a wholesome or help- 
ful institution and it is to be avoided insofar as possible 
with honor. America does not wish war. It has no 
sympathy with “‘jingoes,” but there is an honorable mid- 
dle ground. America cannot afford to neglect its military 
problem. 
Tur Arrention of the readers of the Brerze is 
called to a poem printed in the columns of this issue that 
is published by the courtesy of Mrs. Robert S. Bradley 
at whose home on Monday the poem was sung at a meet- 
ing in the interest of the French Emergency Fund. Its 
pathetic tone is touching. The work of the Emergency 
Fund is increasingly great and its efforts should be sup- 
ported. The opportunity is great and the labor is one 
of love. The sympathy which we all have in the losses 
. our friends beyond the sea should take some tangible 
form. 
. .. Paury Revert FrotruHincHam, well known to the 
North Shore, and who has on many occasions preached 
in the Manchester church during the summer months in 
other years, has been honored by Harvard University by 
the Degree of Doctor of Divinity. The degree is worthily 
bestowed. Harvard never bestows its degrees wantonly 
or without a just appreciation of merit. ; 
_ Tur London Daily Mail paid a just and honorable 
tribute to the skill and character of the American aero- 
plane inventor when it suggests that the English Govern- 
ment secure his services, for “he is the world’s best au- 
thority on aeroplanes and a singularly disinterested and 
uncommercial inventor.” 
A SHort Year Aco and the whole North Shore was 
shocked by the catastrophe that befel the City of Salem 
and was busily at work in reclamation and relief work. 
Salem has. come back in a wonderful way in the short 
year, but, alas! fair Lafayette street can not so quickly 
regain its beauty. 
CALIFORNIA Has CHarmMs that are undeniable, but 
T 4 ‘ . ‘ 
the North Shore has attractions during the summer that 
are unequalled the world over. 
Tue Srcons Reap that Germany will make a favor- 
able reply to the American note. It would appear to be 
untenable for the German Government to provoke war 
with America. It has been falsely reasoned that when 
the war is over America will have gained such a lead 
over the other warring nations that America by remain- 
ing at peace will have gained what Germany sought by 
war. To place all the nations on an equal footing when 
the war is over it is asserted that Germany will wish 
America to be involved in the losses and the destruction 
of war. But who will finance the work of reconstruction 
in the old world when the war ends? By war Germany 
may be able to prevent the United States from shipping 
arms and ammunition to the Allies. This will be a dis- 
tinct gain, but in other ways Germany will lose more. 
At the present time America wishes peace and national 
policy demands it and it would seem that Germany shou!d 
also desire peace; but who knows what the war lords 
may do? The next move is in their hands and America 
cannot think until it has an answer. 
Tur Councr, of Harvard University has conferred 
the highest honorary degree it can bestow upon Ambass- 
ador Herrick for his efficient humanitarian work in 
France. There is a human interest in his honor, in as 
much as in his earlier days, because of the leanness of 
his purse, he was forced to turn his back upon Harvard 
and seek another college. An ambition of a life-time was 
satisfied in an unusual and fitting way. 
ONE OF THE SHORTCOMINGS of the American mili- 
tary situation is the isolation of the militia from the na- 
tional military authority. The powers of the Governors 
of the individual states is too great in this respect. Some 
plan should be agreed upon whereby all state military 
forces might become a part and under the direction of 
the federal military authority and subject to its inspection 
and standards. In no other way can progress be made. 
A Locat, NortH SHore aeroplane builder is work- 
ing his shops to their capacity to fill government orders 
from abroad. It is evident that the aeroplane has demon- 
strated its effectiveness in war. It has demonstrated that it 
is efficient over and above the Zeppelin beyond a doubt. 
It is time, however, that our own government did some- 
thing to develop a nucleus of skilled aeroplane operators. 
Tur PEACEFUL, SCENE at the High. School gradu- 
ation and the telling constructive address made by the 
speaker were a marked contrast to the conscription bar- 
racks of old England and France to which the young 
men of those countries are fleeing today. 
America Now HAs an opportunity to repay the 
obligation that accrued when France so loyally helped 
this nation during the dark days of the Revolutionary 
War. Nations easily forget. Will America? 
THe AUTOMOBILE is a great asset to America, but 
the blood tax that it exacts is not altogether pleasant. 
