Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-09
PROGRAM OF TRUST AND
CURRENCY LAWS FOR AID.
M1NIsTRAT1ON HAS BEEN
COMPLETED.
urges EMERGENCY MEASURES
Reads Annual Address to Con-
gress in Joint Session; Party
Followers Give Him Ovation.

gress in Joint Session; Party
Followers Give Him Ovation.
Washington, Dec. s.-President
Wilson, in his annual address to con-
gress today, coupled with a defense
of this country's military prepared
ness, word Of assurance to business
that it will not be embarrassed by
further legislation. He said the trust
and currency legislation program of
his administration was completed,
leaving no conjecture regarding what
is to- follow, and that there was a
clear and firm road ahead by which
honest men might travel with perfect
confidence.
War Measures.
For passage this session, President
Wilson urged measures to meet chang
ed conditions due to the European
war, particularly government ship
purchase bill, and measures to unlock
the resources of the national domain
and to encourage improvement OF
nayigable waters for generation of
power, and bill already passed by
the house giving larger measure Of
self government to the people of the
Philippines. The president was greet
ed with an uprOarious ovation when
he entered the house. 1t continued
several minutes. Throughout the ad-
dress he was frequently interrupted
by applause. sI ..
There was applause, especially
when President Wilson made refer
ence to agitation over the national de-
fense, declaring the administration
had not been negligent Of national de-
fense," and that the attitude of the
government will not be altered be
cause some amongst us are nervous
and excited" and that the policy OF
defense will easily and sensibly be
agreed upon
President Wilson, in his annual ad-
dress TO congress today, gave his an
swer to those who contend the Unit
ed States is unprepared for national
defense.
let there be no misconception,"
Ie said, "The country has been mis-
informed. We have not been negli-
gent of national defense. We are not
,nmindful Of the great responsibility
resting upon u.s. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson of every expert
ence and every new circumstance, and
what is needed will be adequately
DONE" -.-...
Assembled in joint session in the
hall of the house, senators and rep
resentatives heard the. president, read
ing his address in person from the
clerks desk outline the administra-
ton legislative program and voice a
fervent hope that the United States
might be instrumental in bringing
peace to Europe. The legislative pro-
gram includes the passage Of the con-
servation bills, the bills for ultimate
independence of the Philippines, rati-
fication of the London convention for
safety at sea. a government owned
merchant marine, charting the peril
ous waters Of the Alaskan coast and
measures for economy in all branchee
of the government.
National Defense.
But the portion of the Presidents
address which commanded intense
interest was that in which he discuss
ed the subject of national defense.
vt is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war; said
the president. what is meant by
being prepared? Is it meant that we
are not ready Supon brief notice to
put nation in the field, nation of
men trained to arms? OF course, we
~ 1,y IN In fhnf mr. e,Io ~ II
never be in time of peace so long as
we retain our present political prin-
ciples and institutions. And what IS
it that is suggested we should be pre-
pared to do? TO defend ourselves
against attack? We have always
found means to do that, and shall
find them whenever it is necessary,
without calling our people away from
their necessary tasks to render COM
puisory service in times of peace.
From the first we have had 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, a large standing army. If asked
Are you ready to defend yourselves?
we reply. MOSI ttoSuItuIy, W luc +uI-
most; and yet we shall not turn Am
erica into q military camp We will
not ask our young men to spend the
best years Of their lives making sol
diers of themselves There is another
sort of energy in us. 1t will know
how to declare 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 confagration very definite and
certain and adequate, indeed.
'tLet 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 a standing
army, nor yet upon a reserve army,
but upon citizenry of trained and ac-
customed to arms. 1t will be right
enough, right American policy, based
upon our accustomed principles and
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