The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-09
He Declares the Country Has
Been MiSinfOrmed on
National Defence.
WON'T MAKE AMERICA
A MILITARY CAMP
Fayors a Powerful Navy as
the Proper and Natural
Bulwark.

WAsgINGroN. Dec. assurances 10
the business world of rest from hdr-
sssins legislation and an outline OF the
Administrations attitude toward the
national defences were the chief fea-
lures Of the Presidents annual address
10 Congress to-day.
The President declared himself as un-
qualihedly opposed to large standing
army or TO the maintenance of re-
serve army. At the same time he al
nounced himself as favoring system
OF voluntary military training for the
Young men of the country.
The Presidents address contained
several sly thrusts at Representative
Gardner. which were warmly applauded.
the Massachusetts, Representative HIM
self joining IN the handclapping which
greeted the Presidents declaration that
hi. country never would have large
standing army.
Rcception Enthusiastic.
The President received a notably en-
thusiastic reception from the Demo-
cratic side of the House. lie was m
terruptcd repeatedly by the applause
but the biggest demonstration came
when the President outlined his views
on the question OF national defence.
The President urged wise economy
IN Congress and outlined programme
for the session which included lesisli-
ton for the purchase of an emergency
merchant marine; conservation bills,
legislation for the ultimate independence
Of the Philippines and ratification of
The London convention for safety at
sea
President Wilson plans TO use every
Government agency that may be employed
BY him to encourage business IN the
states.
He il convinced that business big and
little is about to enter on prosperous
era and he believes II TO he the duty or
the Government to lend a helping hand.
Evidence that the material welfare OF
the country lies heavily on the Prest-
dents mind is found in a brief statement
that was interpolated at the last moment
IN his address. This statement was writ
ten into the message. II " understood, on
the advice Of party leaders.
As the address was originally given out
for publication il contained practically no
reference TO the state of business in this
country.
Message to Business Men.
When this fact was called to the atten-
lion Of the President he wrote the fol-
lowing statement, which is intended es
pecia.ly as a message TO the business men
q the country:
Our programme Of legislation as
to business IL now virtually COM
pleted. II has been put forth, as we
Intended as a whole, and leaves no
conjecture as to what Is to follow
The road at last lies both clear
and firm to business, II is a road
which It can travel without fear or
embarrassment. II is the road to
ungrudgng, unclouded success, In
II every honest man. every man who
believes that the public interest Is
part Of his own interest, may walk
with perfect confidence.
This paragraph was also accepted here
as notice by the President TO the members
= his party that the day for harassing
business with new legislation is over and
that the aim OF the Administration from
now on Will be to give business a rest
Democratic leaders were confident that
this assurance that no further legislation
affecting business will b. passed in the re-
naming days Of the Administration viii
help very much. They dwelt too on the
significant fact that in to-days message
the President did not mention the railway
securities bill. This bill. which proposed
Federal supervision of the issue Of railway
stocks and bonds. was part of the Adj
mmsiratlons antitrust programme sub
mtt"d to Congress at the last session.
The bin was sdetrackcd then with the
Understanding that it would be taken VI
'n.s winter. The securities bin viii moi
Doc pushed this winter, and there is gouC
reason 10 believe II will he not heard from
agaID during the Wilson Administration
Al .egislatiou that would namp"r bushes,
d. H'N way At this Juncture in the world!
sha.ls N!ll be pushed aside.