9. Maj. William D. Beach.

but always changing in its individual elements, in which, by conference and discussion, a consensus of matured opinion can be reached, can perpetuate the results of individual effort, secure continuity of military policy, and command for its authorized conclusive expressions of military judgment upon military questions the respect and effectiveness to which that judgment is entitled.

"I am sure that I speak truly when I say the Presidents and Congresses and Secretaries of War invariably desire such aid in the performance of their duties, and for this I look with hope and confidence to the General Staff of the Army and its great adjunct, the War College, which we are now establishing."

The master of ceremonies then introduced the president of the War College, as follows:

"I have the honor to present the first president of the Army War College, Maj. Gen. S. B. M. Young, U. S. Army."

General Young delivered the following address:

"It is said by one of the most careful writers and military students of our mother country that 'The main qualities which characterize the American soldier from the European soldier are shrewdness, strength, valor, and personal intelligence. The natural initiative of the American and the general fearlessness of responsibility are as conspicuous among the soldiers as in the nation at large.'

"When we contemplate the colossal sacrifice of human life in the Federal and Confederate armies during the civil war on the altar of patriotism and love of country for principles which, although diametrically opposed, were equally dear to their hearts, we are profoundly impressed with the inheritance of grand qualities of our people which enable them to give their lives a willing sacrifice for their country. This unselfish patriotism displayed by the soldiers

of our country during the civil war commanded the admiration of the world. Neither Northerner nor Southerner considered his life the most precious of earthly possessions.

"The children of these men are, as much as may be, to become the beneficiaries of this War College, directly or indirectly or remotely. We owe it to them that they shall have fair opportunity for discipline of the mind; for improving and fostering those inherent qualities which gave birth to our nation, which guarded us in our infancy, which sustained us in childhood, and which carried us to where we stand to-day, the leading nation of the world. We owe it to the memory of those brave patriots who sacrificed their lives on the field of glory that we might live and enjoy the government of the most benevolent of nations. Rather than assume that soldiers are consumed by an inordinate and bloodthirsty ambition, it is better to believe that a man who has been brought up from his youth to render loyal obedience is less likely to run counter to constituted authority than one who has not. Our armies in Cuba, in Porto Rico, and in the Philippines turned over their conquests to civil officers as soon as the war had ceased.

"The solid foundation of the unselfish patriotism of the American soldier is his great pride in the manhood of his race. Having gained this prominence among nations, we must be diligent and vigilant to maintain this supremacy by a studious, righteous, and just system of national administration and international relations.

"In all nations war is the instrument of diplomacy; in our country the soldier is the servant of the State. There is, then, a logical reason for this institution for the laying of whose corner stone we are assembled here to-day under the shadow of the Capitol of our country.

"The art of war is difficult. To apply strategic principles correctly, the commander must be able to accommodate strategy to political exigencies. He must have a clear knowledge of men as well as

questions of supplies and transportation in all their numerous branches, of sanitation, and of every detail concerning the moral and physical well-being of his troops. But as it is impossible for a commander to personally superintend all the details necessary to the thorough preparation of an army for efficient field operations, he must be surrounded by an efficient staff a body of trained officers who have studied and worked out to a successful solution all problems in these questions and who realize the enormous responsibilities that rest on the commander who has in his keeping not only the lives of the patriotic soldiers, but the honor and the life of his government. The fate of a battle may sometimes depend on a matter that would appear of small importance to the uneducated soldier.

"Knowledge gained by study or born of experience, or that which is better, study and experience, is essential in preparation for war. The best means to avert a war is to be fully prepared for it. When war is inevitable, it should be made quick, and the contest should be made short, sharp, and decisive as the full power of our Government and the best ability of our country could make it. It is the duty of the War College Board to carry out the intentions and purposes of our honored Commander in Chief and his most worthy Secretary of War to see to it that the young officers of our Army shall have full opportunity for attaining a high grade of efficiency in their chosen profession and that our Army is comparable to the armies of the world as our Government compares with the other governments."

The master of ceremonies then introduced Mr. C. F. McKim, the architect of the building, as follows:

"I now have the pleasure of presenting the architect of the War College, Mr. Charles F. McKim, of New York City, to whom the Secretary of War confided the duty of locating the War College

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