The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
THE PREs1DENTs ADDRESS.


Wilson's address, to congress is tts
timely and forceful suggestion that
the sober sense OF the American peo-
pie should assert itself and prevail in
this era Of war and of rumors of wars
to come. He stands adamant against
those who have become excited and
alarmed, because of the European
conflagration, over our alleged utter
appropriateness either to wage a war
or defend ourselves from attack. with
an emphasis that is convincing ne
states: LET there be no misconcep-
ton. The country has been misin-
formed. We have not been negligent
Of national defense. We are not I'M
mindful of the great responsibility
resting upon u.s." Evidently the Gus
sic Gardeners are talking through their
hats, or acting as publicity agents for
the gentlemen with munitions Of war
to sell.
Attention is called by the president
to the generally accepted fact that the
very last thing this country is likely
to do is to wage a war of aggression.
I'VE are not jealous" as he puts 1t,
"Of rivalry in fields of commerce or OF
any other peaceful achievement. We
mean to live our own lives as we will;
but we mean also to let live. We are,
indeed, true friend to all the nations
Of the world. because we threaten
none, covet the possessions of none.
desire the overthrow of none."
Hence it follows that we will never
have to engage in anything that savors
of war, unless it be a war of defense.
And the president declares that we
are most assuredly ready to defend
ourselves to the utmost. He rightly
sees no need to change our settled
military policy by creating large
standing army. or even a huge re-
serve army. AS in the past. SO in the
future, we must depend in time of
national peril upon a citizenry trained
and accustomed to arms. And he sug-
gests that a system be provided by
which every citizen who will volunteer
for the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms the
Of drill and maneuver. and
the maintenance and sanitation of
This training should be made
as attractive as possible and so in
duce our young men to undergo it at
such times as they can command a
llltlc lTccOO1u anu C1A SCch Tic phys
ical development they need, for their
mere health's sake, if for nothing
more.
The president goes on record in ia
vor of a powerful navy, which has al
ways been regarded as our proper and
national means of defense. but who
shall tell us now" he pertinently in
quires. what sort of navy to build?
When will the experts tell us just
what kind we shall construct and
when will they be right for ten years
together. If relative efficiency of craft
of different kinds and uses continues
under our very eyes in these last few
months"
President Wilson insists that this
policy, is not new. in any sense Of the
word OF projected because times are
not normal. It is not a policy Of an
occasion. ut will be conceived as a
permanent and settled thing he
urges, (which we will pursue at all
seasons without haste, and after a
fashion perfectly consistent with the
peace Of the world, the abiding friend
ship OF states, and the unhampered
freedom of all with whom we DEAL
Surely there can be little consola-
ton or satisfaction in these presiden-
tial suggestions for the jingoes and
the few Y HON the European war has
scared into a belief that we will event.
ually be called upon to fight the side
that wins it. But they are certain to
be intensely popular with the great
bulk of the people Of this country who
detest the spirit Of militarism because
it is SO foreign to their ideals. AS the
president says, I'VE are the cham
pions Of peace and concord
In way, the other portions Of Mr..
Wilson's address bear upon the war
or rather upon the opportunities it
presents to the United States and the
duties it imposes upon them. The ma
tions that have depended upon E
rope for supplies and innumerable ar
ticles OF manufacture will now be
to look to us for them. We
must step into the breach. We have
the resources but are not fully ready
to use them. We lack the means of
and the president thinks
they can best be supplied in the emer-
gency by the prompt enactment of the
shipping BILL introduced at the last
session Of congress. This measure
government owned and
operated merchant ships, which will
be subsequently taken over by pri-
vate capital.
AS a natural corollary, the need is
evident for the development Of the
resources Of the country to their larg-
est possible extent. And so the presi-
dent urges the senate to enact the So
called conservation bills already
passed by the house, one that is aimed
to unlock the resources of the public
and the other to encourage