Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-09
EVERY HONEST MAN MAY
WALK WITH CONFIDENCE
There Need Be No Conjecture as
to What New Measures
May Follow
ANNUAL MESSAGE is READ
Largo Portion Devoted to Statement
on Policy of National
Defense.


dent Wilson. in his annual address to
Congress to-day. coupled with de-
fense OF the country's military pre-
paredness a word Of assurance to busi-
ness that It would not be embarrassed
by further Legislation. He said the
trust and currency Legislative program
OF his administration virtually had
been completed. and that there was a
clear and firm road ahead on which
honest men might travel with perfect
confidence.
For passage at this session. the
President urged measures to meet the
changed conditions due TO the Euro
pean war. particularly the government
ship purchase bill; measures to un-
lock resources of the national domain
: and to encourage improvement OF
navigable waters for generation of
power. and the bill already passed by
the House TO give "a larger measure
of self-government to the people of the
Philippines"
PRESIDENT RECEIVES
UPROARIOUs OVATION
When he entered the House cham
bcr whore Eice-Presldent Marshall and
Speaker Clark presided over a Joint
session OF the Senate and House. tho
Iresident was greeted with an APP
rtarious ovation Throughout his ad-
dress, he frequently was interrupted by
stiplause. particularly from the Demo-
cratic side. demonstrations of approval
reaching climax when. referring to
recent agitation over national defense.
he declared the administration had
mot been negligent OF national de-
fense' that the attitude of the gov
ernmcnt would not be altered be
cause some amongst us are nervous
and excited" and that policy of de-
fense could easily and senslhiy be
agreed upon.
i Il IN ntadvocatinE the ship apurchase-bitl,
the President said the war in Europe
had left foreign nations more depen-
dent upon the United States for sup
plies. and that the government should
provide ships that the nations goods
might be curricd ito the empty
markets."
The Philippine bill. the President as
serted, would nobly crown the record
of these two years OF memorable labor.
Concerning rural credits legislation.
he expressed regret that difficulties of
the subject seemed Ito render it i'm
possible to complete bill for passage
at this session"
Members OF the Senate and House
listened nttentlvely to the outline OF
the Presidents program, they did
also to his discussion OF economy aud
the assertion that there should be
n systematic reorganization and reas-
sembling" OF the parts of the govern
mcnt to secure greater efficiency.
ENTHUSIASTICALLN CHEERED.
WITH GALLERIES JOINING
Mr.. Wilson spoke with great en-
phasis and deliberation when he be-
gan discussion of the military situa-
tion. and was enthusiastically cheered,
the galleries Joining In the applause
when he declared:
"It is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What Is
meant by being prepared? Is II meant
that we are not ready upon brief no
ticc to put a nation In the field, a nation
of men trained to arms? or 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 prin-
ciples and institutions"
Proclaiming the people from the
United States champions of peace and
concord" the President emphatically
opposed great standing army, and
was again cheered when ho asserted
that in time OF national peril the coun
try must depend upon a citizenry
trained and accustomed to arms"
When the President had concluded
he was surrounded by Senator'S and
Representatives who gathered in the
Speakers office to extend their con-
gratulations.