The chronicle=news., 1914-12-08
WILSON'S. SPEECH


| NtOut1nueu from page Id
shall never be in time of aeace sc
long as we retain our present polit-
zeal principles and institutions. And
what is it that it is suggested we
should be prepared to do? To de-
fend ourselves against attack? We
have always found means to do that.
and shall find them whenever it IL
necessary without calling our people
away from their necessary tasks TO
render compulsory military service
| in times of peace.
From the first we have had a
clear and settled policy with regard
to military establishments. We
never have had. and while we retain
our present principles and ideals we
never shall llaye, large STANDING
army. If asked. Are you ready to
defend yourselves?' we reply. Most
assuredly, to the utmost and yet
we shall not turn America into
military camp. We will not ask our
young men to spend the best years of
their lives making soldiers of them
selves. There is another sort OF en-
ergy in us. 1t will know how to de-
clare itself and make itself effective
should occasion arise. And especiai-
ly when half the world is on Nre we
shall be careful to make our mora,
insurance against the spread of the
conflagration very definite and GER
tain and adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves. there
fore, of the only thing we can do or
will do. We must depend In every
time of national peril, in the future
as in the past, not upon standing
army. nor yet upon reserve army,
but upon citizenry trained and ac-
customcd to arms. II Will he right
enough, right American policy, based
upon our accustomed principles ana
practices, to provide a system by
which every citizen who will roiun-
teer for the training may be made
familiar with the use OF modern
arms, the rudiments of drill and
maneuvcr. and the maintenance and
sanitation OF camps We should en-.
courage such training and make it
means of discipline which our young
men will learn to value. 1t is right
that We should provide it not only,
but that we should make it as at
tractiye as possible, and so induce
our young men to undergo it at such
times as they can command little
freedom and can seek the physical
developments they need, for mere
health's sake, If for nothing more
Every means by which such things
can be stimulated is legitimate. ana
such Il method smacks of true Amer
lean ideas.
1T is right. too, that the National
Guard of the States should he devel-
'oped and strengthened by every
means which is not inconsistent with
our obligations to our own people or
with the established policy of our
government And this, also, not be-
cause the time or occasion specially
calls for such measures, but because
it should be our constant policy to
make these provisions for our ma
tional peace and safety.
More than this carries with it u
reversal OF the whole history and
character Of our policy. More than
this, proposed at this time, permit
me to say, would mean merely that
VIC had lost our self-possession, that
we had been thrown off our balance
by war with which we have moth
ing to do, whose causes cannot touca
us, whose very existence affords MS
opportunities of friendship and dis
Interested service which should
make us ashamed of any thought OF
hostility or fearful preparation for
II, LIT tie.
Itunity for which q people and gov
ternment like ours were raised up. the
jopportunity not only to speak but
actually to empody and eXem2iify
the counsels of peace and amity and
1.-The lasting concord which is based on
justice and fair and generous deal
ling.
"A powerful navy we have always
regarded us our proper and natural
means of defense; and it has always
1 been of defense that we have
thought, never of aggression or OF
conquest. But who shall tell us now
what sort of navy to build? we
shall take leave TO be strong upon
the seas in the future as in the past;
and there will be no thought of Of
Ifense or of provocation in that. Our
ships are our natural buiwarKs.
iWhen will the experts tell us Just
1what kind we should construct-and
when will they be right for ten years
together. if the relative efficiency OF
craft of different kinds and uses
continues to change as we have seen
lit change under our very eyes in
these last few months?
| "But | turn away from the sub
| iect, 1t is not new. There is no
need to discuss 1t. We shall not alter
our attitude toward 1t because some
Iamongst us are nervous and eXcit-
ed. We shall easily and sensibly
agree upon policy of defense. The
question has not changed its aspects
because the times are not normal.
H. f.lt, d.