The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-12-17
Ihe Presidents Message

spicuous by their absence. So closely
following the evacuation Of Vera Cruz
by an army Of invasion which had oc-
cupied il for half a year, it could rea-
sonsbly have been expected that the
Congress, and the country, would be
informed OF what is to be the admins
tration's attitude towards the increas'
ingly complicated situation in Mexico.
This much of concession was due to
all shades and varieties Of opinion.
Those who have hailed the with
drawal Of our military forces from
NJ xico as pledge Of change in
policy, working itself out in action
toward leaving the Mexicans to their
own devices and resousces, would be
glad if some authoritive assurance to
that effect. Others, who have op-
posed evacuation, feel themselves en-
utled to something in the way Of ex
planation or defense of the act. All OF
the elements dissatisfied with existing
conditions, and the responsibilities
we have been made to assume in their
creation, will resent continuance Of
that absolute and imperturbable silence
which is beginning TO create an i'm
preston that the president regards the
army and the navy OF the United
States as his personal properties, or
playthings. under rhe clause Of the
constitution making him their com
mauder in chief
This silence is the most eloquent
par Of the document read by him
yesterday. Even his eloquence in
pleading for great expenditure Of
funds for going into the government
ownership Of fleet Of merchant yes
sells as means Of developing our
South American commerce can no,
quail this The need Of larger and
'euer means OF communication is
obvious 1t is all too true, as the
PIE sident says, that existing facilities
re wholly inadequate TO meet the op'
oortunities created Tor US by the war
in Europe. But his eloquence is lost
in his lack Of candor. Twice he
openly avoids discussion Of the cause
Of which our poverty in a merchant
marine is the effect, when the record
,hows that it IS result OF our failure
0 subsIdlze merchant marine as
mas been done by onr commercial
competitors who, he informed Con-
gress, had practically monopolized
that part OF world trade. Once he
said tina; subsidy is a word made hate
tuI to Americans by the abuse OF the
thing for which it stands by railway
corporations, after which he proposed
making enormous public expenditures
in purchasing ships to pc operated by
he government for a time and alter
ward sold 10 private companies, FOL-
lowing this with an injunction 10 strict
economy in the making Of appropria.
tions. 1t is impossible to understand
MIN clearly in such a presentation Of
the case, beyond clear understand
ing Of the fact that such a Tepresen'
lation is challenge OF the unwisdom
which has left our shipping uDsubsid-
lied and unfit to make use Of our
present opportunity, and is therefore
an indictment Of his own party.
The address dwells at some length
on the pressing necessity for passing
conservation measures and the de-
velopmens Of water-power privileges,
and here the note struck is much more
clear and definite. The president
commits himself without reserve 10
the two bills which passed the House
at the regular session and upon which
the Senate has failed to act. He
urges immediate and favorable action,
and reaches she strongest part Of his
address in urging that course. He
also urges the Senate, body which
ne seems to consider too slow in regis
tering his DEGREES, 10 approve the bill
passed by the House giving a much
larger measure Of sell'governmenr to
the people Of the Philippines. AS to
IN as1res yet 10 be introduced, be
admits that it will be impossible to pass
a rural credit law during the short
session and sets his face against ap
preparations for making larger mill