The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
President Wilson in His An
nual Address to Congress
Replies, to Those Who Clam0r
for a Big Army.
POLICY WILL NOT CHANGE
Country Will Depend on Citi-
zens as in the Past.
He Refuses To Be Stampeded
by the Alarmfsts.

Washington. Dec S.-President Will
son. in his annual address to congress
todav. gave his answer to those VINO
contend the United States is unpre-
pared for national defense.
Let there be no misconception, ne
said. 1.-The country has been mls1nforlneo.
We have not been negligent of nationa'
defense. We are not unmindful OF the
great responsibility resting upon u.s.
We shall learn and profit by the lesson
of every experience and every new cir
cumStance: ana Wnat Is Aeeueu VIII w
adequately done" u,
Assembled in Joint session in the hail
of the house. senators and representa-
tiyes heard the president, readlng ms
address in person from the clerk oesh'
outline the administration ieglslati'e
program and voice ferVent nope Una.
the United States might be lnstruneh.al
ir. bringing peace to Europe. The legls-
latiye program includes passage OF the
conservation bills, the bills for ultimate
independence of the Philippines, ratl-
fication of the London convention Iof
safety at sea. a government owned meI-
chant marine. charting the perllous
waters of the Alaskan coast and meas
,lres for economy in all branches OF the
government.
But the portion of the presidents ao-
dress which commanded intense inter-
est was that in which he discussed the
subject of national defense.
The National Defense.
"It is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war; said the
president, what is meant by being pre-
pared? Is it meant that we are not
ready upon brief notice to put a nation
in the field, a nation Of men trained
to arms? OF course we are not ready
to do that: and we shall never be In
time of peace so long as We retain our
present political principles and institu-
tions. And what is it that 1t - sug-
gested we should be prepared to do!
To defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found means to do
that and shall find them whenever
1t is necessary without calling our peo-
pie 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 mill
tary establishments. We never have
had, and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have large standing army. If asked,
Are you ready to defend yourselves?
we reply Most assuredly, to the ut
most; and yet we shall not turn Ameri-
ca into a military camp. We will not
ask our young men to spend the best
years of their lives making soldiers of
themselves. There is another sort of
clare itself and make itself effective
should occasion arise. And especially
when half the world is on fire we shall
be careful to make our moral insurance
against the spread of the conflagration
very definite and certain and adequate
indeed
The Only Thing to DO.
Let US remind ourselves, therefore,
of the only thing we can do or will do.
We must depend in every time of ma
tional peril, in the future as in the past,
not upon a standing army, nor yet upon
reserve army. but upon a citizenry
trained and accustomed to arms. 1t
will be right enough, right American
policy. based upon our accustomed
principles and practices. to provide a
system by which every citizen who will
volunteer for the training may be made
familiar with use of modern arms, the
rudiments of drill and maneuver and
the maintenance and sanitation of
camps. We should encourage such
training and make it a means of dis
cipline 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 attractive as possible, and
so induce our young men to undergo
it at such times as they can command
little freedom and can seek the phys
ical development they need. for mere
health's sake, if for nothing more
Every means by which such things
can be stimulated is legitimate. and
such a method smacks of true Ameri-
can ideas.
''It is right. too that the national
guard of the state should be developed
and strengthened by every means
which is not inconsistent with our OBJ
legations to our own people or with
the established policy of our govern
ment. And this. also. not because the
time or occasion specially calls fol
be our constant policy to make these
provisions for our national peace anl
safety.
II Is Our Opportunity.
more than this carries with it
reversal of the whole history ant
character of our policy. More thar
this, proposed at this time. permit MI
to say. would mean merely that W,
had lost ou self possession, that W.
had been thrown off our balance b.
a war with which we have nothing t.
do, whose causes cannot touch us
whose very existence affords us op
portunities of friendship and disinter
ested service which should make u
ashamed of any thought Of hostilit.
or fearful preparation for trouble
This is assuredly the opportunity TO
which a people and a government lik,
ours were raised up. the opportunit.
not only to speak but actually to EN-
body and exemplify the counsels O
peace and amity and the lasting con
cord which is based on justice ant
fair and generous dealing.
~ powerful navy we have alway
regarded as our proper and natura
means of defense; and it has alway
been Of defense that we have thought
- oR .<