By the declaration of war the American people issued a command to Germany to desist from certain activities.
By the mobilization, organization, training, transportation and supply of our armed forces we backed up the command with such force as gave authority to that command.
In company with the Allies we proceeded to discipline Germany —that is, to discipline in the more restricted sense of prevention from and punishment for wrongdoing.
It required discipline in the higher and broader sense, however, to accomplish that degree of preparation that was essential to give force and authority to our command.
From the point of view of the whole people this discipline in the broader sense took the form of self-discipline. We recognized our obligations, passed laws to meet them, and looked to our Chief Executive to exercise our authority.
The efficient exercise of this executive authority, in so far as it pertained to the handling of the armed forces, was possible only by reason of the traditions of the service and the schooling and training in the practice of discipline by the armed forces already in service.
War, however, is a demoralizing phenomenon of human endeavor. While it calls for the most scientific organization and employment of force, and for the use of the most highly scientific instruments, its results are destruction in the most terrible form.
During hostilities the slaying of human beings and the destruction of property have, under certain circumstances, become legalized.
Discipline and the end in view have served to hold our forces together to the attainment of that end, and this even in the presence and accomplishment of legalized destruction of life and property.
But the suspension of the rules as to two of the Ten Commandments shakes the moral fiber not only of the soldier in the field but as well of him in the rest area, and even of the civilian far removed from the scene of actual combat. There results a less keen observance of the laws of meum and tuum; and the sanctity of womanhood requires more than the normal peace-time protection.
This lowered moral fiber of a people continues long beyond the conclusion of hostilities. Indeed, in our present case, the cessation of hostilities marks the accomplishment of the end in view and leaves to discipline alone the preservation of moral standards; and this at a most critical period, when the human tendency is to let down, to relax.
Throughout the nation we see evidences of this, in one or another form depending in some measure upon the individual’s walk in life, and certainly upon his previous moral training. One man steals, another sells his Liberty Bonds for transitory pleasures, another goes into debt for the same purpose; gambling in high and low degree becomes rife. All these are evidenced in the lives of individuals, while the reaction upon the community is found in industrial unrest and in strikes.
Recovery must be slow, and this because of the inertia of individuals. But recovery must, and can best, start with the efforts of those trained to discipline, particularly self-discipline. It is to such that the nation must look for leadership. It is because of this need for leadership in discipline that the whole country views with concern the striking of one city’s police force—a force trained to discipline and specially trained to uphold law and order. Should the community fail of the benefits of the presence of such a disciplined force, then indeed, is the situation one to cause alarm.
Likewise, and to a far greater degree because of the purpose for which the armed forces of the nation exist, is it incumbent upon us to take the lead in recovering the country to a disciplined state of mind.
A slouchy police force is cause for chagrin on the part of residents in a city to which visitors may come. It indicates a town not well run; and certainly it is not a good advertisement for the town.
Likewise, a slouchy personnel on board ship is indicative of the state of discipline on board that ship. The careful observance of salutes, of the uniform regulations, and of the etiquette of the quarter deck should be instilled into the minds of all and practiced religiously.
During the war there grew up a degree of carelessness in these matters resulting from the abnormal expansion in, and repeated transfer of, officer and enlisted personnel; and the conditions of living on board ships transporting troops and performing other arduous duties were such as to invite relaxation from normal standards.
With the cessation of hostilities there could not be immediate return to normal. Lax habits, so readily and quickly formed, require the exercise of special care, tact and firmness to correct. Neglected, they rapidly grow worse.
Every opportunity now offers for returning to the normal observance and practice of the outward and visible signs of discipline that serve to establish in the minds and consciousness of young officers and men that attitude towards discipline that must be attained before we can feel the navy to be again ready to meet expansion for the successful training and handling of a large personnel and the successful disciplining of the enemy.
Finally, the country must look to us as to a bulwark against forces that would disrupt the community, and we cannot fail them. The obligation of leadership in these matters of discipline is greater than a duty—it is a high privilege.