Appreciations of Richard Harding Davis | ||
BY LEONARD WOOD
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The death of Richard Harding Davis was a real loss to the movement for preparedness. Mr. Davis had an extensive experience as a military observer, and thoroughly appreciated the need of a general training system like that of Australia or Switzerland and of thorough organization of our industrial resources in order to establish a condition of reasonable preparedness in this country. A few days before his death he came to Governor's Island for the purpose of ascertaining in what line of work he could be most useful in building up sound public opinion in favor of such preparedness as would give us a real peace-insurance. His mind was bent on devoting his energies and abilities to the work of public education on this vitally important subject, and few men were better qualified to do so, for he had served as a military observer in many campaigns.
Throughout the Cuban campaign he was attached to the headquarters of my regiment in Cuba as a military observer. He
The Plattsburg movement took very strong hold of him. He saw in this a great instrument for building up a sound knowledge concerning our military history and policy, also a very practical way of training men for the duties of junior officers. He realized fully that we should need in case of war tens of thousands of officers with our newly raised troops, and that it would be utterly impossible to prepare them in the hurry and confusion of the onrush of modern war. His heart was filled with a desire to serve his country to the best of his ability. His recent experience in Europe pointed out to
Davis was a loyal friend, a thoroughgoing American
devoted to the best interests of his country, courageous,
sympathetic, and true. His loss has been a very real one to
all of us who knew and appreciated him, and in his death the
cause of preparedness has lost an able worker and the country
a devoted and loyal citizen.
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Appreciations of Richard Harding Davis | ||