The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1914-12-12

the sixty third congress, which began it's
closing session last Monday; a congress,
says the president, II venture to say,
which will long be remembered for the
great body Of thoughtful and constructive
work which it has done, in loyal response
to the thought and needs Of the country
A strong demand for so-called prepar-
edness for war has arisen in this country,
as result Of the conflict in Europe The
president s attitude on this subject is clear
cut His political opponents, and many Of
his own party, take issue with his policy.
He says: 1t is said in some quarters
that we are not prepared for war. What
is meant by being prepared? Is it meant
that we are not ready upon brief notice
to put a nation in the field a nation Of
men trained to arms? Of course we are
not ready to do that ;and we shall never be
in time Of peace SO long as we retain our
present political principles and institrl-
tons. And what is it that it is suggested
we should be prepared to do? To defend
ourselves against attack? We have always
found means to do that, and shall find
them whenever it is necessary without
calling our people away from their neces-
sary tasks to render compulsory military
service in times of peace.
From the first we have had clear and
settled policy with regards TO military
establishments. We never have had, and
while we retain our present principles and
ideals we never shall have, large stand
ing army. IL asked, are you ready to de-
fend yourselves? we reply, most assuredly,
to the utmost; and yet we shall not turn
America into military camp. We will
not ask our young men to spend the best
years Of their lives making soldiers of
themselves"
The president advocates the perfecting
Of the National Guard, and declares the
country has been misinformed as to the
state Of the national defense. His policy
Of defense, he says, has not changed it's
aspect because the times are not normal
his policy is not for an occasion, but is
conceived as a permanent and settled
thing, to be pursued without haste, and at
all seasons.
(The government is now spending an
nually $25O,OOO,O 900 in support Of the army
and the navy.
The president reafirms his faith in a
powerful navy as our proper and natural
means Of defense" and concludes the sub
iect with the declaration that eve shall
easily and sensibly agree upon a policy Of
defense"
In his message, the president expresses
his belief that the business interests Of the
country will prosper under the tariff, cur
rency, and antitrust legislation already
enacted
The creation Of government controlled
merchant marine for the purpose of open
ing up trade routes and fostering Ameri-
can commerce with other countries, parti-
cularly Central America, is asked for; and
the establishment Of a system OF leasing
to private capital the natural resources of
the public domain.
The message defines the president s con-
ception Of the difference between govern
mental economy-legitimate expenditure
and extravaganza; the "pork barrel
appropriations being emphatically de-
nounced.
The president desires "a larger measure
Of self government" for the Philippines;
and the charting Of the coast lines, parti-
cularly that Of Alaska, to prevent ship
wrecks
No reference was made, in the message
to Mexico.
THE CAPTURE OF LODI by the Ger
mans is the event of the week in the Europ-
can war. By this capture, the Germans
have Strengthened out their line in Russian
Poland and have lessened the danger OF
being outfanked by the Russians. Now
the battle line runs almost due south from
just east Of Flock, through Lowicz, just
west Of Piotrkow, east of Czenstochowa,
and to Cracow. The line, generally, is
about seventy-fve miles west of Warsaw,
in which region another great battle is i'm
minent. The general reports indicate that
the fighting between the Vistula and
Warta rivers has been incomparably more
severe than anything experienced before