The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-12-10
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS IS THEME
Of PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE
Regular Army Of 141 ,843, Supplemented by Force Of 100000
Trained Citizens Is ~urged-Gravest Menace to the Peace
Of the Country Comes from 0isoyaI Foreign-Born
Citizens-Plan for Larger Navy Outlined.

Washington, Dec. 7.-President Wilson
today delivered his annual message at a
joint session Of the two houses Of con-
gress. He said in part:
Since l last had the privilege OF adj
dressing you on the state of the Union
the war of nations on the other side Of
the sea, which had then only begun to
disclose it's portentous proportions, has
extended its threatening and sinister scope
until it has swept within its flame some
portion of every quarter of the globe, not
excepting our hemisphere, has altered the
whole face of international affairs. and
now presents a prospect OF reorganlza-
ton and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neutral.
1t was our manifest duty to do SO. In
the day of REIMBURSEMENT and recupera-
ton we earnestly hope and believe that
We can be Of infinite service.
In this neutrality, to which they were
hidden not only by their separate life and
their habitual detachment from the poll
tics OF Europe but also by a clear per-
ception of international duty, the states
Of America nave become conscious of a
new and more vital community of inter-
est and moral partnership in affairs, more
clearly conscious Of the many common
sympathies and interests and duties which
OLD tnem Stanu tOgelHeT.
We have been put to the test in the case
of Mexico, and we have stood the test.
Whether we have benefited Mexico by
the course we have pursued remains to
be seen. Her fortunes are In her own
hands. But we nave at least proved that
we will not take advantage of her In her
distress and undertake to impose upon
her an order and government of our own
choosing.
We will aid and befriend Mexico. but
we will not coerce her; and our course
with regard to her ought to be sufficient
proof to all America that we seek no po-
litical suzerainty or selfish control.
Not Hostile Rivals.
The moral is, that the states Of Amer
lea are not hostile rivals, but cooper
ating friends, and that their growing
sense of community of interest, alike In
matters political and in matters econom-
lc, is likely to give them a new signif-
canoe as factors in international affairs
and in the political history Of the world.
1t presents them as in a very deep and
true sense q unit in world affairs, spir-
itual partners, standing together because
thinking together, quick with common
~sy1npathies and common ideals. Separat-
ed, they are subject to all the cross cur
rents Of the confused politics Of a world
of hostile rivalries: united in spirit and
piL POSe lHCy dlIIlO pc disappointed VI
their peaceful destiny.
This is Pan-Americanism. 1t has none
of the spirit Of empire in 1t. 1t Is the en-
bodinlent, the effectual embodiment, OF
the spirit Of law and Independence and
liberty and mutual service.
There is, / venture to point out, an espe-
cial significance just now attaching to
this whole matter of drawing the Amer
icas together in bonds of honorable part
rac~bin asl ya,,f,,a ~. - - pa hannj,cn ~
the economic establishments which the
world must inevitably witness within the
next generation, when peace shall have
at last resumed its healthful tasks. In
the performance of these tasks l believe
the Americas to be destined to play their
parts together. l am interested to fix
| your attention on this prospect now be-
cause unless you take it within your
view and permit the full significance OF
1t to command your thought l canno
find the right light in which to set forth
the particular matter that lies at the
very front Of my whole thought as l a ID
dress you today. l mean national de-
Tense.
Might to Maintain Right.
Out of such thoughts grow all our poll
Ties. We regard war merely as a means
OF asserting the rights OF a people against
aggression. And we are as fiercely jeal
Gus of coercive or dictatorial power with.
In our own nation as of aggression from
without. We will not maintain a stand
ing army except for uses which are a:
necessary in times of peace as in times
of war; and we shall always see to i
that our military peace establishment !!
no longer han is actually and continuous
ly needed for the uses of lays in which
no enemies move against us. Bat VIZ
do believe in a body of free citizens ready
and sufficient IN take care IF fIarn sal I've,
and of the governments which they havt
set up to serve them. In our constitution.
themselves we have commanded that 9TH,
right of the people to keep and bea,
arms shall not be infringed," and oul
confidence has been that our safety i,
times of danger would lie in the rising o
the nation to take care OF itself, as The
farmers rose at Lexington.
But war has never been a mere matter
Of men and guns. 1t is a thing of disci
plined might. If our citizens are ever t.
fight effectively upon a sudden summons
they must know how modern fighting Il
done, and what to do when the ummon!
comes to render themselves immediatel,
available and Immediately effective. Ant
the government must be their servant II
this matter, must supply them with tn,
training they need to take care of them
selves and Of 1t. The military arm OF theil
government, which they will not allow t
direct them. they may properly use t.
serve them and make their independence
secure-and not their own independents,
merely but the rights also Of those will
whom they rave made common cause
should they also be put in Jeopardy
They must be fitted to play the grea
role In the world, and particularly in thi,
hemisphere, for which they are quail
fed by principle and by chastened ambi
ton to play.
1t Is with these ideals I'm mind that tn,
plans of the department Of war for NOR,
adequate national defense were conceivet
which will be laid before you. and which
l urge you to sanction and put into eff
feet as soon as they can be properly scru
tinted and discussed. They seem to m.
the essential first steps. and they seen
to me for the present sufficient.
They contemplate an increase OF thu
standing force OF the regular army from
-aAA- $500