THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE FLAG

THE most favored land in the world can afford to be both just and generous, but, being just and generous both, it must with each generation answer to the good conscience for its conduct in the hour of opportunity.

It is not enough for the islands of the sea that the flag shall float in their harbors for a few days and then withdraw. The spelling book and the new testament must be dropped

Beside each water course,

On every hilltop,

Through every defile,

and the schoolhouse, the church and the Blessings of American Liberty must be permitted to bring peace to every hamlet

AND SUNSHINE TO EVERY HOME.

THE NAVY

MAY it be in the future what it has been in the past,
THE SAFEGUARD OF OUR COUNTRY AND

THE DEFENDER OF OUR HOMES.

RW. Evans

Admiral, U. Š. N.

THE ARMY

I HOPE we may never have another war. But our experience in the past does not justify such a hope. It is our duty, therefore, if we would be wise in our generation, to make provision for a comparatively small regular army and efficient reserve of volunteers, and an adequate and coöperating force of State militia. In this way we shall follow closely the advice of Washington, given while he was President, in saying:

"There is rank due to the United States among
nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost,
by the reputation of weakness.

"If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to
repel it.

"If we desire to secure peace, one of the most power-
ful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be
known, that we are, at all times, ready for war."

What the Father of His Country said in 1793, at the end of his first administration, is even truer of the situation of the country today, for we are very much nearer than the country was in his day to other nations of the world, and we have a rank which will certainly be withheld and lost by the reputation of weakness. Readiness for war is quite as effective an instrument to secure peace to-day as it was more than a century ago.

THE ALMA MATER OF THE MEN WHO

OFFICER OUR SHIPS

THE birthplace of the graduates of the Naval Academy is an immortality of fame. Their names will be as enduring as those of their ancestors, the early pioneers, in the noble profession they have chosen.

On the same page of history which records, in imperishable characters, the names and deeds of the heroes who have gone before, will be inscribed also those of the graduates who come after.

And when the future heroes of far-distant centuries shall turn back to that page for inspiration and look there for lessons of wisdom and virtue, and the future poet draw thence a noble theme for his aspiring muse, the names of the graduuates of the Naval Academy shall not be passed by unnoticed.

AUGUSTUS PAUL COOKE,
Captain, U. S. A.

THE SOLDIER'S ALMA MATER

HERE, where resistlessly the river runs
Between majestic mountains to the sea,

The Patriots' watch-fires burned: Their constancy
Won Freedom as an heritage for their sons.

To keep that Freedom pure, inviolate,

Here are the Nation's children schooled in arts

Of peace, in disciplines of War; their hearts
Made resolute, their wills subordinate

To do their utmost duty at the call
Of this their Country, whatsoe'er befall.
Broadcast upon our History's ample page
The record of their valiant deeds are strewn.
Proudly their Alma Mater claims her own.
May she have sons like these from age to age!

EDWARD S. HOLDEN.

United States Military Academy, West Point.