The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-09
President Rebukes
lingo Agitafors

! WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-(Special)
Not larger army but "citizenry
trained and accustomed TO the use OF
arms" is President Wilson's idea OF
what the United States needs In the
way OF military preparedness. as EN-
bodied in his message TO congress, de
| livered at the joint session OF the
house and senate today The presi-
dent put himself on record as unalter
ably opposed TO any movement which
seeks TO build up large standing
army in this country. Such action.
he said would be most un-American,
| and would amount TO an absolute re.
versal OF the traditional American pol
Hey, AS to the navy, the president be-
Ilieves that the country should go slow
lily until such time as naval experts
have been AFFORDED opportunity TO
Iproft by the lessons Of the present
conflict in Europe.
| Passage of the ship purchase bill;
the bill giving larger measure OF self
government TO the Philippines, proper
rural credit legislation, and economy
in government expenditures were
urged upon in the message, which is
the longest delivered by President
Wilson since he took office.
The president indicated that he felt
very strongly on the subject OF the
proposed increases In the military es-
| adjustment and devoted large part
OF his address to the consideration OF
this problem. His words in part fol-
low
Allow me TO speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. ! have tried TO
know what America is, what her peo-
pie think, what they are, what they
most cherish and hold dear. | hope
that some OF their finer passions are
/ In my own heart-some OF the great
conceptions and desires which gave
/ birth 70 this government and which
have made the voice OF this people a
voice OF peace and hope and liberty
among the peoples of the world. and
that, speaking my own thoughts,
shall, at least in part, speak theirs
also, however family and inadequate
! ~. upon this vital matter.
I'VE are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based on
| fact or drawn from a just and candid
Interpretation OF realities can say that
! there Is reason TO fear that from any
quarter our independence or the In
tegrity OF our territory Is threatened.
| Dread OF the power of any other ma
ton we are incapable Of We are not
jealous OF rivalry in the fields OF com
merce 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, a
! true friend TO all the nations OF the
world, because we threaten none,
! covet the possessions OF none, desire
4 the overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and Is accepted
without reservation, because II IL
/ offered in a spirit and for purpose
which no one need ever question or
suspect Therein lies our greatness
We are the champions OF peace and
OF concord. And we should be very
jealous OF this distinction which We
have sought 10 earn. Just now we
should be particularly jealous OF IT,
because IL Is our dearest present hope
that this character and reputation
may presently, In Gods providence.
bring us an opportunity such as has
seldom been vouchsafed any nation,
the opportunity to counsel and obtain
peace I'm the world and reconciliation
and a healing settlement OF many
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship OF nations. This is
the time above all others when we
should wish and resolve to keep our
strength by self-possession. our In
! fluence by preserving our ancient
principles OF action.
No Large Army Needed.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard TO
military establishments. We never
have had. and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we
never shall have, a large standing
army n asked Are you ready to
defend yourselves? We reply, Most
lassuredly. to the utmost; and yet We
shall not turn America into military
! camp. We will not ask our young
men 10 spend the best years OF their
lives making soldiers OF themselves
There Is another sort OF energy in us
IL viii know how to declare itself and