The Washington herald., 1915-12-08

to the economic world when the blood
shed in Europe Is over.
Greater Array and Navy.
A greater army and a greater navy
and a reserve force Of 100000 citizens
| were urged by the President as measures
| absolutely imperative for safeguarding
| the nation. And as a means Of bringing
about the economic Independence of the
country. independence on land as well
as sea, he asked that Congress provide
for a government-owned merchant ma
rine. And he urged that steps be taken
to make the industries and resources
Of the country available and ready for
immediate mobilization.
Internal Tax to Pay.
As to the method of financing the pre-
paredness plans the President suggested
| that internal taxation be resorted to.
Becoming more specific he pointed out
| that the exemptions under the income
| tax law might be lowered and that the
rate of taxation might gradually be
raised.
He declared that the passion of Amer
| lea was for peace. He regretted that
efforts had been made to draw the
| United States into the world conflict
and he scored most bitterly those hy-
phenated Americans who have attempt
ed. he said, to poison the very arteries
of our national life.
In a short paragraph or two the
President referred to the justness OF
the dealings of this country with Mex
| leo, stating that every move made by
the United States had been prompted
by a spirit of ACKNOWLEDGMENT but of real
service In a passing sentence or TWO
he urged the granting OF independence
TO the Philippines, but he said that this
1.-NKa sV,aVN NRgta DfN -
than was the enactment Of preparedness
| legislation.
spoke In Low, Even Voice.
The President spoke in a low even
voice. He was applauded several times,
but at no time was the appliance unus-
uarly loud. When the President first
alluded to preparedness there was not
even a handicap. but as the Chief Ex-
ecutive entered more deeply into the
discussion the assembly was so stirred
by the impressive words. especially
those denunciatory words that cracked
like electric sparks as they were hunS
AT the plotters against this country's
security. that applause soon burst out.
u. =. Studiously Neutral.
Regarding the neutrality of the Unit
I'd States the President said:
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
trail II was our manifest duty to do So
Not only did We have no part or interest
in the policies which seem TO have
brought the conflict on: il was necessary
II a universal catastrophe was to be
avoided, that a limit should be set to
the sweep of destructive war and that
some part of the great family of nations
should keep the processes of peace alive,
IL only to prevent collective economic
ruin and the breakdown throughout the
world of the industries by which its
populations are fed and sustained. 1t
was manifestly the duty Of the self-gov-
erned nations of this hemisphere to re-
dress if possible. the balance of econom-
ic loss and confusion I'm the other. II
they could do nothing more. In the day
Of readujstment and recuperation we
earnestly hope and believe that they can
be of infinite service.
..Tbe New" Monroe Dictrine.
In setting forth his new Interpretation
of the Monroe Doctrine. President VIII
son said:
Our concern for the independence and
prosperity of the states of Central and
South America Is not altered. We retain
unabated the spirit that has inspired us
throughout the whole life of our govern
ment and which was SO frankly put into
words by President Monroe. We still
of national independence and OF political
liberty in America. But that purpose is
now better understood so far as It con-
Germs ourselves. 1t is known not to be
a selfish purpose. 1t is known to have
in it no thought of taking advantage OF
any government in this hemisphere or
playing its political fortunes for our own
benefit. All the governments of America
stand. so far as We are concerned, upon
footing Of genuine equality and I'M
questioned independence.
Put to Test in Mexico.
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 advantage of her
In her distress and undertake to impose
upon her an order and government of
our own choosing. Liberty is often a
fierce and intractable thing, 10 which no
bounds of few mems choosing ought
ever to be set.
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 political suzerainty or sell
fish control
Defines Pan-Americanism.
The moral is that the states of
America are not hostile rivals but CO.
operating friends, and that their
growing sense of community of in
terest, alike in matters political and
in matters economic. is likely to give
them a new significance as factors in
international affairs and in the politi-
cal history of the world. 1t presents
them as in a very deep and true
sense a unit in world affairs. spiritual
partners, standing together because
thinking together, quick with COM
mon sympathies and common ideals.
Separated they are subject to all the
cross currents of the confused politics
of a world of hostile rivalries; united
in spirit and purpose they cannot be
disappointed of their peaceful destiny
This is Pan-Americanism. 1t has
none Of the spirit of empire in it 1t
Is the embodiment. the effectual en-
bodiment. of the spirit of law and in
dependence and liberty and mutual
service.
On Preparedness.
Treating the subject of prepared
ness. Mr.. Wilson said
We will not maintain a standing
army except for uses which are as
necessary in times of peace as in times
of war, and We shall always see to
1t that our military peace establish
ment is no larger than is actually
nd ttelx Id fN.