Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-09
Tun PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

"We are. indeed. true. friend TO
MI the nations Of tho world, because
we threaten none, covet the possess
slons 81 none. desire The overthrow of
none"
such was the most striking sentence
In q message. repictc with striking
sentences. delivered by President VIII
son 10 congress ycsicrday. II had TO
do with tho preparedness OF the
United states for war and was the
heart Of the prcsIdont's declaration
that We neither have nor need great
standing army.
The president. however, ~ not un-
mindful Of tho necessity OF prepared
neas for se,f-defense. without saying
10. he knows that this nation Ia crit
icalIy placed. however peacefully we
may be INCLINED. The Panama canal
imposes menace 10 our peace. al
ways, as well as definite advantage
10 our defense. permitting, as Il does,
the speedy passage ~ our ships from
ocean TO ocean. The control Of great
channels Of trade never fails to entail
icalousies aud provoke contentious
we hhyc to he prepared 10 defend
the Panama canal.
Far moro danger. however, lies In
the maintenance Of the Monroe doc
trlne. necnuHe OF that doctrine. this
nation has been near war with foreign
powers three times since the civil
war. Tho first was when France was
warned 20 cvacuate Mexico and Gems
cral sheridan was ordered 10 mobi-
lie the American army on the Rio
Grande. Tho second was IN 1895 when
Great britain insisted upon taking
over q slice Of Venezuela. In the face
OF nm offer OF arbitration by the Unit
I'd states. Then II wits that secretary
Olnoy mado the famous announce
ment. "TodaY. the United states Is
practically sovereign on this eontl-
nent, and is fiat II law upon the
subjects TO which Il confines its In
propositions" The third was with
japan. less than three years ago, re-
aardlng concessions by the Mexican
government IN Lower California.
While there il no likelihood Of such
thing, should events OF this war re-
suit in the invasion OF Canada ny
Germany, and an effort be made by
Germany TO retain a foothold In that
country, war with the United States
would BIO inevitable.
No uno recognizes these facts more
than the president. therefore as q
matter of protection 10 the country,
he recommends that the whole ctl-
zcnry Of the nation be trained In the
use Of modern arms and drilled and
disciplined 80 that an effective volun-
teer force would be placed In tho field
In case OF emergency.
That such drili system could be
brought about. IL unquestloned. and,
properly encouraged. Il could be made
an Irresistible force for defense OF
the country. OF course, II would have
to be armed with the latest and best
weapons Of offense and defense. AZ
fighting with clubs is not regarded as
good form.
Tho other phases OF public policy
discussed by the president wcre..
I. An efficient merchant marine.
Our ships have been driven from the
seas through the subsidies OF other
nations TO their merchant vessels.
2. The opening ny OF the mines,
forests aud water power for the use
az the people. particularly Of the
west.
}. Legislation looking 10 the
eventual independence Of the Philips
pine islandu
(. Rural credits, which hardly
can be legislatcd upon inteIIieently nj
this session Of congress.
s. Ratification of the convention
with great mercantile nations Of the
world for safety az sea.
6. Survey and charting Of the
coasts OF the United States and her
possessions.
7, Economy Of government ex-
penditures.
The message Is peculiarly timely
one. and Is remarkable for the care
fui conservatism Of all its utterances
Ills references 70 the war in Enrops
were so neutral that the most sensi'
tive sympathIzer with the fortunes OF
any one Of the bellieerents could
find nothing In the message that pos.
sibly could offend.