davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

seas, not to our ports, but to the ports
of Great Britain and of the older con-
tinent Of Europe. 1 do not stop to in
quire why or to make any comment on
probable causes. What interests us
just now is not the explanation, but
the fact and our duty and opportunity
in the presence Of it. Here are mar
kets which we must supply, and we
must find the means Of action. The
United States. this great people for
whom we speak and act, should be
ready as never before to serve itself
and to serve mankind, ready with its
resources, its energies, its forces of
production and its means of distribu-
ton.
It is q very practical matter, mat
ter of ways and means. We have the
resources, but are we fully ready to
use them? And, If we can make ready
what we have. have we the means at
hand to distribute It? We are not
fully ready; neither have we the means
Of distribution. We are willing, but
we are not fully able. We have the
wish to serve and to serve greatly, gen.
erously. But we are not prepared as
we should be. We are not ready to
mobilize our resources at once. We are
not prepared to use them Immediately
and at their best, without delay and
without waste.
To speak plainly, we have grossly
erred in the way in which we have
stunted and hindered the development
Of our merchant marine. And now,
when We need ships, we have not got
them. We have year after year debat-
ed, without end Or conclusion, the best
policy to pursue with regard to the
use Of the ores and forests and water
powers of our national domain in the
rich states Of the west, when we
should have acted, and they are still
locked up. The key II still turned
upon them, the door shut fast at which
! thousands OF vigorous men. full of
initiative, knock DANGEROUSLY for ad-
mittance. The water power Of our nav
igable streams outside the national
domain also, even In the eastern states,
where We have worked and planned
for generations, is still not used as it
might be-. because we win and we
won't; because the laws we have
made do not intelligently balance en-
| enlargement against restraint We
withhold by regulation.
have come to ask you to remedy
and correct these mistakes and omis-
eions, even at this short session of a
congress which would certainly seem
| to have done all the work that could
reasonably be expected OF it The
time and the circumstances are ex-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

At least twenty-five centuries before
Christ the Babyl0nians used a sexa-
gesimal system of notation, consisting
Of sarf and sossi. Of which we have
vestfges when we reckon sixty min
utes to the hour and sixty seconds to
the minute, or 1900 seconds-that IL. q
saros of sossi-t0 the hour. That we
count twelve inches to the foot, twen-
ty-fOur hours to the day. 300 degrees
Of longitude around the equator. nine
ty degrees Of latitude from the equator
to the poles and sixty miles to 4 degree
may also be traced to the same duo
decimal Babylonian system Of numera-
ton. which originally reckoned sixty
shekels to the nina and sixty minas TO
the talent. All these numbers are fac
tors or multiples Of the saros. or sixty.
Our measure Of time. money. Of linear
and angular space are all derived ffrom
the Greeks. who obtained them from
the Babylonians. probably through the
PhoeniciAns.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
POWERFUL NAVY IS
AMERICAN POLICY.
United states Will Continue to Remain
Strong on The Seas.

A powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
means Of defense. and 1t has always
been Of defense that we have thought.
never of aggression or Of conquest.
But who shall tell US now what sort
Of navy to build? We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas in the fu-
ture as in the past, and there will be
no thought Of offense or Of provocation
in that. Our ships are our natural
bulwarks. When will the experts tell
us just what kind We should construct.
and when will they be right for ten
years together. If the relative efficiency
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
PRINCIPAL POINTS IN
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

First.-Urgss passage Of biIIs now
pending for unlocking natural re-
sources with proper conservation and
for encouraging use Of navi9able wa
ters for generation Of power.
eeeond.-Says senate should sanction
bill for greater sslf government for
FiIipinos passed by house.
1hird-Recommends that congress pass
shipping bill now pending creating q
government merchant marine.
Fourth.-Ursss passage Of seamen's
safety bill.
Fifth.-Asks for law to chart the dam
gsrous coasts Of Alaska.
Sixth.-Points out need Of strictest
economy consistent with efficient
government and recommends sys-
tsmatic governmental reorganization.
Ssventh.-States plainly that he 10
opposed to big standing army, but
says America should encourage q
citixsnry trained in the rudimsnts Of
military affairs and accustomed to
arms.
Eighth.-Says q powerful navy 10 our
natural and proper means Of defense,
but asks who can tell what sort ct
navy to build.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
GATES OF TRADE MUST BE
OPENED.

The government must open
these gates Of trade, and open
them wide, open them before it
10 altogether profitable to open
them or altogether reasonable
to ask private capital to open
them at a venture. Il 10 not a
question Of the government mo-
nopolixins the field. Il should
take action to make it certain
that transportation at reason
able rates will be promptly pro-
vided, even where the carriage
10 not at first profitable, and
then, when the carriage has be-
come sufficiently profitable TO at
tract and engage private capital
and engage II in abundance, the
government ought to withdraw.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

soldiers Of themselves. There is an
other sort Of energy in us. 1t will
know how to declare itself and make
itself effective should occasion arise.
And especially when half the world is
on fire we shall be careful to make our
moral insurance against the spread of
the conflagration very definite and GER
tain and adequate indeed.
Let US remind ourselves, therefore.
of the only thing we can do or will do.
We must depend in every time of ma
tiOnal peril. in the future as in the
past. not upon a standing army nor yet
upon reserve army, but upon q citi-
zenry trained and accustomed to arms.
1t will be right enough. right American
policy. based upon our accustomed
principles and practices, to provide a
system by which every citizen who
will volunteer for the training may be
made familiar with the use of modern
arms. the rudiments Of drill and ma
newer and the maintenance and sani-
tation of camps. We should encourage
such training and make it a means of
discipline which our young men will
learn to value.
1t is right that we should provide II
not only. but that we should make It
as attractive as possible. and SO induce
our young men to undergo It at such
times as they can command a little
freedom and can seek the physical de
velopment they need. for mere health's
sake, II for nothing more Every
means by which such things can be
stimulated h legitimate. and such a
method smacks of true American ideas.
It is right. too. that the national guard
Of the states should be developed and
strengthened by every means which Is
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estab-
lished policy Of our government. and
this also not because the time or occn-
sion specially cabs for such measures.'
but because It should be our constant
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
AMERICA FACES new
MARKETS FOR TRADE
Merchant Marine Must BE Built Up "a
Meet Opportunity.

It is Of equal consequence that the
nations whom Europe has usually sup
piled with innumerable articles Of man
ufacture and commerce Of which they
are in constant need and without which
their economic development halts and
stands still can now get only small
part Of what they formerly imported
and eagerly look to Us to supply their
all but empty markets. This is partic-
ularly true Of our own neighbors, the
states, great and small, Of Central and
South America. Their lines Of trade
have hitherto run chiefly athwart the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

ways found means to do that and
shall find them whenever It II neces-
sary without calling our people away
from their necessary tasks to render
compulsory military service In times
Of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. l have tried
to know what America is. what her
people think. what they are. what they
most cherish and hold dear 1 hope
that some of their finer passions are In
my own heart-some of the great con-
ceptions and desires which gave birth
to this government and which have
made the voice Of this people q 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. how
ever family and inadequately. upon
this vital matter.
We 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 integ-
rity Of our territory is threatened.
Dread Of the power Of any other ma
ton we are incapable of. We are not
merce or Of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean to live our own lives
rs 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 posses
si0ns Of none. desire the overthrow of
| none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation, be
cause it Is offered in a spirit and for
Il purpose which no one need ever
question or suspect Therein lies out
greatness We are the champions OF
peace and Of concord. And we should
be very jealous of this distinction
which we have sought to earn. Just
now We should be particularly jealous
Of 1t, because it Is our dearest present
hope that this character and reputation
may presently, in Gods providence
bring US an opportunity such as ha.
seldom been vouchsafed any nation
the opportunity to counsel and Obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and a healing settlement Of many ,
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship Of nations. This i
the time above all others when W,
should wish and resolve to keep on
lstrength by self possession. our influ
Ience by preserving our ancient princi
Iples OF action.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

Of craft Of different kinds and uses
continues to change as we have seen
it change under our very eyes in these
last few months?
But I turn away from the subject.
1t is not new. There IL no new need
to discuss 1t. We shall not alter our
attitude toward it because some among
US are nervous and excited. We shall
easily and sensibly agree upon q policy
OF defense. The question has not
changed its aspects because the times
are not normal. Our policy will not
be for an occasion. 1t will be conceiv-
ed as a permanent and settled thing
which we will pursue at all seasons
without haste and after q fashion per-
fectly consistent with the peace Of the
world. the abiding friendship Of states
and the unhampered freedom Of all
with whom we deal. Let there be no
misconception. The country has been
misinformed: We have not been neg
ligent of national defense. We are not
unmindful Of the great responsibility
resting upon rs. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson Of every expert
ence and every new circumstance, and
what is needed win be adequately
done.
close. As 1, began, by reminding
you of the great tasks and duties of
peace which challenge our best powers
and invite US to build what will last,
the tasks to which we can address our
selves now and at all time with free
hearted zest and with all the finest
gifts Of constructive wisdom we pos
sess. To develop our life and our re-
sources. to supply our own people and
the people of the world as their need
arises from the abundant plenty Of
our fields and our marts Of trade, to
enrich the commerce Of our own states
and OF the world with the products of
our mines, our farms and our facto-
ries, with the creations Of our thought
and the fruits Of our characteristics
is what will hold our attention and
our enthusiasm steadily now and In
the years to come as we strive to
show in our life as a nation what lib
erty and the inspirations Of an eman-
cfpated spirit may do for men and for
societies. Tor individuals, for states
and for mankind
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

traordinary, and So must our efforts be
also.
Fortunately two great measures, fine
~ conceived, the one to unlock, with
proper safeguards, the resources Of the
national domain, the other to encour-
age the use Of the navigable waters
outside that domain for the genera
ton OF power, have already passed the
house of representatives and are ready
for immediate consideration and ac-
ton by the senate. With the deepest
earnestness l urge their prompt pas
sage. In them both we turn our backs
upon hesitation and makeshift and
formulate genuine policy of use and
conservation in the best sense of those
0rds- We owe the one measure not
only to the people of that great west
ern country for whose free and sys-
tematic development, as it seems to
me, our legislation has done SO little.
but also to the people Of the nation
as a whole, and we as clearly owe the
other in fulfillment Of our repeated
promises that the water power Of the
country should in fact as well as in
name be put at the disposal Of great
industries which can make economical
and profitable use of 1t, the rights of
the public being adequately guarded
the while and monopoly in the use pre-
vented. To have begun such measures
and not completed them would indeed
mar the record Of this great congress
very seriously. hope and confidently
believe that they will be completed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
WILL RELY ON TRAINED
CITIZENS, NOT SOLDIERS
In Time Of Peril Nation Will Answer
Call TO Arms NobIy.

From the nrst we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary Establishments. We never have
had, and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have. a large standing army. If asked.
Are you ready to defend yourselves?
we reply. Most assuredly: to the ut
most And yet we shall not turn
America into a military camp. We
will not ask our young men to spend
the best years of their lives making
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

them at a venture. It is not q question
of the government monopolizing the
field. 1t should take action to make
it certain that transportation at rea-
|sonable rates VIM, be promptly pro
vided, even where the carriage is not
at first profitable, and then, when the
carriage has become sufficiently profit
able to attract and engage private cap
ital and engage it in abundance. the
government ought to withdraw.
very earnestly hope that the congress
will be of this opinion and that both
houses will adopt this exceedingly Inn
portant bill
The great subject Of rural credits
is a matter Of deep regret that the diff
f1culties of the subject have seemed to
render it impossible to complete a bill
for passage at this session. But it can
not be perfected yet, and therefore
there are no other constructive meas
ures the necessity for which will at
this time call your attention to, but
II would be negligent Of a very mani
fest duty were 1 not to call the atten-
ton Of the senate to the fact that the
proposed convention for safety at sea
awaits its confirmation and that the
limit fixed in the convention itself for
its acceptance Is the last day Of the
present month. The conference in
which this convention originated was
called by the United States. The rep
resentatives Of the United States play
ed a very influential part indeed in
framing the provisions Of the proposed
convention, and those provisions are in
themselves for the most part admira-
BILE. 1t would hardly be consistent
with the part we have played in the
whole matter to let it drop and go by
the board as If forgotten and neglect
ed. 1t was ratified in May last by the
German government and in August by
the parliament Of Great Britain II
marks a most hopeful and decided ad-
vance in International civilization. We
should show our earnest good faith in
a great matter by adding our own &C.
ceptance of it
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
NOT A NIccARDLY NATION.

Il is not expenditure, but sx-
travaaanee. that we should fear
being criticised for, not paying
for the legitimate enterprises
and undertakings Of q great
government whose people COM
mand what, il should do, but
adding what will benefit only q
few or pouring money. out for
what need not have been under
taken At al or might have been
postponed or better and moro
economically conceived and car
ried out. The nation 10 not mig
aardly; It 10 very generous. ]
will ehide u only If we forget
for whom we pay money out
and whose money it 10 we pay.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
WHO SHALL TELL US WHAT
SORT OF NAVY TO 0UIlO7"

A powerful navy we have at
ways regarded ~ our proper
and natural means Of defense,
and Il has always been Of de.
Tense that we have thought,
never Of aggression or Of con-
quest. But who shalt tell 10
now what sort Of navy to build?
We shall take leavs 70 be strong
upon the seas in the future 40
in the past, and there will. b
no thought Of osfsnse Or Of prov.
ocation in that. Our ships are
our natural bul~arl<s. When
will the experts tell u just what
kind we should construct, and
when will they Be right for ten
years together 10 the relative
efficiency Of craft Of different
kinds and uses continues to
change ~ we have seen IL
change under our very eyes In
thase last few months?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
@OLLOWING Is President VIII
sons annual message, deliver
ed at the beginning Of the
short term Of the Sixtv-third

, GA a. LuC UCSluuluk VI TIE
short term Of the Sixty-third
congress:
Gentlemen Of the Congress ses-
sion upon which you are now entering
will be the closing session Of the Six
ty-third congress, a congress, i ven
ture to say, which will long be remem-
bered for the great body of thoughtful
and constructive work which it has
done in loyal response to the thought
and needs uf the country. 1 should
like in this address to review the nota-
bic record and try to make adequate
assessment Of it, but no doubt we
stand too near the work that has been
done and are ourselves too much part
Of it to play the part Of historians to-
ward it.
Moreover, our thoughts are now more
Of the future than Of the past. While
we have worked at our tasks Of peace
the circumstances of the whole age
have been altered by war. What we have
done for our own land and our own
people we did with the best that was in
us, whether Of character or Of intelli-
gence. with sober enthusiasm and a
confidence in the principles upon which
we were acting which sustained us at
every step Of the difficult undertak-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
1--WE NEED SHIPS; WE HAVE
NOT GOT THEM"

The United States, this great
people for whom we speak and
act, should be ready as never
before to serve itself and to
eerve mankind; ready with its
resources, ito energies, its forces
Of production and its means Of
distribution. We are
not ready to mobilize our re-
sources at once. We are not
prepared to use them imme-
diateIy and At their best, with
out delay and without waste.
To speak plainly, we have
grossly erred in the way in
which we have stunted and him
dered the development Of our
merchant marine, and now, when
we need ships, we have not got
them.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

the many mistakes by which we have
discouraged and all but destroyed the
merchant marine Of the country, to re-
trace the steps by which we have. it
seems almost deliberately, withdrawn
our flag from the seas, except where,
here and there, ship of war is hidden
carry it or some wandering yacht dis
plays 1t, would take a long time and
involve many detailed items OF legis-
lation, and the trade which we ought
Immediately to handle would disap-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
SAYS SHIPPING BILL
IS VERY IMPORTANT
| Il Should De Passed to Profit by Open
cd 0ates Of Trade.

Hence the pending shipping bill. dis
cussed at the last session, but as yet
passed by neither house. In my judg-
ment such legislation is imperatively
needed and cannot wisely be postpon-
ed The government must open these
gates Of trade, and open them wide,
open them before It is altogether profit
able to open them or altogether rea.
sonable to ask private capital to open
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO
BIG STANDING ARMY.
Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton Of National 0efenses.

The other topic I shall take leave
to mention goes deeper into the prin-
ciples Of our national life and policy.
It is the subject of national defense.
It cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tons. It 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 mo-
tice to put q nation in the field, q ma
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
THE UNITED STATES AND
THE WAR.

War has interrupted the means
Of trade not only, but also the
processes Of production. In Eu.
rope Il 10 destroying men and
resources Wholesale and upon a
scale unprecedented and appall-
ing. There 10 reason to fear
that the time is near, II it be not
already at hand, when several
Of the countries Of Europe will
find il difficult to do for their
people what they have hitherto
been always easily able to do
many essential and Fundamental
things. At any rate, they will
need our help and our manifold
services ~ they have never
needed them before, and we
should be ready, moro fit and
ready than we have ever been.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
TRAINED clTIZENRY FOR
DEFENSE.

We must depend in every time
Of national peril = upon
. citixenry trained and aeeus.
should encourage such training
and make il . means Of disci-
pIine which our young men will
learn to value. . Il 10
right, too, that the national
guard Of the states should BE-
developed and strengthened BY
every means which 10 not in
consistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the
established policy Of our sov-
eminent.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08
NO LARGE STANDING ARMY.

We never have had, and while
we retain our present principles
and ideals we never shall have.
4 large standing army. u asked,
"Ars you ready to defend your
sslves7" we reply, ~Most a.
sursdly, to the utmost, and yet
We shall not turn America into
. military camp; we will not
ask our young men 70 epend the
best years Of their lives making
soldiers Of themselves"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

ton 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 polit-
fcal principles and Institutions. And
what is 1t that It Is suggested we
should be prepared to do-to defend
ourselves against attack We have al
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

The Chief Executive Deplores the Lack OF
Ships, Declares That the Government Must
Open the Gates Of Trade. Urges Passage Of
the Pending Shipping Bill. Self Government
For the Filipinos. Safety at Sea. Proper Econ
omy In Government Expenditures and Con-
servation Of National Resources AN Army
Of Trained Citizenry and Large Navy
Necessary-National Defense Not Neglected.