The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-12-10
Wilson in Address to
Congress Answers
Criticisms.
NOT ARMED CAMP
But Citize1ry Must Defend
U. S.-Favors Aid to Mer-
chant Marine.

Washington, d. president Will
son today departed from the prepar-
ed text of his address, which wa
devoted principally to, answering
those who contend that the United
States is ~unprepared for national
defense and to give notice to the
business world that the legislative
effects the regulation of business, is
it had resulted in a clear road for
business to travel to ''unclouded sue
cess"
Honest business men, Wilson de-
clared. have nothing to fear in tread
ing the way outlined in the trust and
currency bills. While the president
dwelt briefly upon this subject, his
words were interpreted as an assur-
ance that no further important bust
ness legislation is contemplated.
During his personal delivery of
his message. he was several time in
terrupted with bursts of handicap
ping.
Washington. d. C.-President Will
son, in his annual address to Con-
gress today. gave his answer to those
who contend that the United States
is unprepared for national defense.
"Let there be no misconception,"
he said, The country has been mis-
informed. We have not been negli-
gent of national defense. We are not
unmindful of the great responsible
ity resting upon us. We shall learn
and profit by the lesson of every eX-
perience and every new circum-
stance; and what is needed will be
adequately DONE"
Assembled in joint session in the
hall of the House.. Senators and Rep
resentatives heard the President,
reading his address in person from
the clerks desk, outlining the admin
istration legislative program and
voice a fervent hope that the United
States might be instrumental in
bringing peace to Europe. The leg
isfative program includes passage Of
the conservation bills, the bills for
ultimate independence of the Philip
pines, ratification of the London con-
vention for safety at sea, a govern
ment owned merchant marine, chart
ing the perilous waters of the Alas
kan coast and measures for economy
in all branches of the government.
But the portion of the Presidents
address which commanded intense in
terest was that in which he discus
sed the subject of national defense.
America Not to be Military Camp.
cit is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war" sA.a
the President, 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 politl-
cal principles and institutions And
what is it that it is suggested we
should be prepared to do? To de-
fend ourselves against attack? We
have always found means to do that,
and shall find them whenever it is
necessary without calling our peo-
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military ser
vice in times of peace.
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 stand
ing army. If asked, are you ready
to defend yourselves? We reply,
most ~assuredly, to the utmost. and
vet we shall not turn America into
a military camp. We will not ask
our young men to spend the S
years of their lives making soldiers
of themselves. There is another sort
of energy in us. 1t will know how
to declare itself and make itself eff
fective should occasion arise. And
especially when half the world is on
Are we shall be careful to make our
moral insurance against the spread
of the conflagration very definite
and certain and adequate indeed.
LET us remind ourselves, there
fore, of the only thing we can door
will do. We must depend in every
.ime of national peril, in the future
as in the past, not upon a standing
army, nor yet upon a reserve army,
but upon a citizenry trained and &C
customed to arms. 1t will he right
enough, right American policy, bas-
ed upon our accustomed principles
and practices, to provide q system
by which every citizen who will vol
unteer for the training may be made
familiar with the use of modern
arms. the rudiments of drill and ma
neuver, and the maintenance and san
itation of camps. We should encour-
age such training and make 1T a
means. of discipline which our young
-men will learn to value. 1t is right
thar we should not only provide 1t,
bu. that we should make it as at
tractive as possible, and SO induce
orr young men to undergo 1t at such
times as they can command a little
.racd..m and can seek the physical
development they need. for mere
health's sake, il for nothing more
Every means by which such things
can be stimulated is lecitimate. and
such q method snGscks of true Amer.
lean IDEAS.
Would Strengthen Guard. ;.
at is right, too. that the Nationa
Guard of the states should be dc
veloped and strengthened by ever,
means which is not inconsistent with