The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-12-09
MESSAGE
A VIGOROUS PLEA FOR LARGER
AND MORE EFFICIENT ARMY
AND NAVY.
A SCATHING INDICTMENT OF:
FOREIGN-BORN PLOTTERs-
PAY AS YOU GO.

President Wilson's message to con-
gress is able and statesmanlike. He
favors a closer union of American
countries and reasserts the Monroe
doctrine. On this subject he SAYS:
There was time in the early DAYS
Of ourcown great nation and of the re-
publics fighting their way to indie
pendence in Central and South Amer
lea when the government of the Unit
ed States looked upon itself as in some
sort the guardian of the republics to
] the south of her as against any en-
croachments or efforts at political
control from the other. side of the
water; felt it it's duty. to play the
part even without invitation from
them; and think that we can claim
that the task was undertaken with
true and disinterested enthusiasm for
the freedom of the Americas and un-
molested lf-government of her indie
pendent peoples. But it was always
! difficult to maintain such a role with
out offense to the pride Of the peoples
whose freedom Of action we sought to
(protect, and without provoking serious
misconceptions Of our motives; and
every thoughtful man of affairs must
welcome the altered circumstances OF
the new day in whose light we now
stand, when there is no claim of guar
dianship or thought of wards but, in
stead, full and honorable associa-
ton as of partners between ourselves
and our neighbors, in the interest of
all America, north and south.
"Our concern for the independence
and prosperity Of the states of Gen.
trail and South America is not altered.
We retain undated the spirit that has
inspired us throughout the whole life
of our government and which was so
frankly put into words by President
Monroe.
eve still mean always to make
common cause Of national independ-
ence and Of political liberty in Amer
lea. But that purpose is now better
understood so far as it concerns our
selves. It is known not to be sell
fish purpose. It is known to have in
it no thought of taking advantage of
any government in this hemisphere
or playing it's political fortunes for
our own benefit. All the governments
of America stand, so far as we are
concerned, upon footing of genuine
equality and unquestioned independ-
ence."
Continued non-interference in the
affairs of Mexico is what the president
counsels. These words would imply
that as far as he is concerned that
distracted country will be permitted
to work out it's own salvation:
1--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 have at
least proved that we will not take adj
vantage of her in her distress and un-
dertake to impose upon her an order
and government of our own choosing.
s. $ We will aid and de-
fend 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 political
suzerainty or selfish control"
The president favors reasonable
policy of preparedness and recon-
mends slight increase in the forces
of the regular army and a supple
mental disciplined reserve force of
100000 men. We quote from his mes
sage:
! "By way of making the country
ready to assert some part of it's real
! power promptly and upon a larger
scale, should occasion arise, the plan
also contemplates supplementing the
army by force of 100000 disciplined
citizens, raised in increments of 1885,
900 year throughout a period of
three years. This it is proposed to do
! by a process of enlistment under
which the serviceable men of the coun-
try would be asked to bind themselves
to serve with the colors for purposes
of training for short periods through
out three years, and to come to the
colors at call at any time throughout
an additional "furlough" period Of
three years. This force Of 100000
men would be provided with personal
accouterments as fast as enlisted and
their equipment for the field made
ready to be supplied at any time. They
would be assembled for training at
stated intervals at convenient places
in association with suitable units of
the regular army. Their period Of an
nual training would not necessarily