The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-08
residents
Annual
Ad dress
ToCongress
FECIAnES u. S. HAS NOT
BEEN NEGILENT OF
NATIONS DEFENSE
iould Not Have Her Citizens
However, Spend the Best
Part Of Their Days
Learning to Be /.
Soldiers
tby AssoclaIed Press.)

Warrington, Dec. S.-President
Il1son. In his annual address to
ngress today, gave his answer to
l,se who contend the United States
unprepared for national defense.
LET there be no misconception,"
said. tsThe country has been mis-
,'ormed. We have not been negli-
at Of national defense. We are
sunmindful of the great respon-
,ility resting upon us. We shall
rn 1nd profit by the lesson of ev-
experfence and every new cir
omstanee: and what is needed will
adeQuaaely done"
AaoGnfn1od in joint session in the
II of ~ House, senators and rep
,ent0t1y6s heard the president
ading III address in person from
10 clofk6 desk, outline the admin
ratioa legislative program and
Ice = toRvent hope that the United
ateo hight be instrumental in
s1nSiHg Veace to Europe. The leg
nattye 1pgram includes passage of
10 oonoEyation bills, the bills for
'timnRoa Independence of the Phil
pines ratification of the London
enventtom for safety at sea, gov
lm01t 6wned merchant marine,
a1artlng the perilous waters of the
askan coast and measures for
ono1ny n all branches of the gov
,nms1t
But tho portion of the presidents
drsn which CON manded intense
tereet was that in which he dis
.ssed the subject Of national de-
nee.
@"It g eaid in some quarters that
- are not prepared for war;" said
P!e preoident, "Wnat is meant by
p ing prspared? Is it meant that we
t q not ready upon orIef notice to
t . nation in the field, nation
hg men trained to arms? OF course
h.s are not ready to do that; and we
all mover be in time of peace SC
az = We retain our present polit.
II principles and institutions. And
.,aat = It that it is suggested we
ould ~ prepared to do? To defend
rselves against attack? We have
ways found means to do that, and
all md them whenever it is nee.
.sary without calling our people
ray from their necessary tasks te
ss.nder compulsory military service
times Of peace.
From the first we have had cleal
d settled policy with regard tt
ilitary establishments. We never
We had, and while we retain oul
esent principles and ideals, W.
yer shall have. large standin.
my. II asked, Are you ready t.
fend yoursclves?' we reply, Mos
suredly, to the utmost; and yet W.
all not turn America into a mill
~ camp. We will not ask ou
ung men to spend the best year
their lives making soldiers o
emselvss. There is another sor
energy In us. 1t will know hov
declare Itself and make itself eff
,ctive should occasion arise. An,
llpecially when half the world is OF
ofe We shall be careful to make ou
'',ral insarance against the sprea
the conahgration very definite an
rtain and adequate indeed.
Let m remind ourselves, there
ire, Of the only thing we can d
II will do. We must depend in ev
y time Of national peril, in tn
ture ~ In the past, not upon
-anding army, nor yet upon a re
rye army, but upon citizenr
-o aimed and accustomed 70 arms. ]
II be right enough. right Amer
IN policy, based upon our accus
or med principles and practices, t
ovfde q system by which ever
izen who will volunteer for th
aiming may be made familiar wit
use Of modern arms, the rud
ants Of drill and maneuver, an
. maintenance and sanitation G
mps. We should encourage sue