Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-11
WILSON SAYS u. S.
MUST BE RESERVE
FORCE OF WORLD
President Tells Columbus Chamber
of Commerce No Obstacles
Should Be Put in Way of
American Business.
HAS CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE
Executive Asserts Country Needs
More Vessels to Garry It's
Trade on Sea.
HE Is A MILITANT DEMOCRAT"

-~~ COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 10.-Pre-
paredness by business men to mobi-
lize the resources of the nation as a
measure of national defense was
urged by President Wilson here to-
day In a ringing address before the
Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
His words were given added signifi
canoe by the disputes pending be-
tween the United States and Austria
and Germany.
The presidents address was applauded
by nonpartisan audience of 1.lOO men.
including many of the leading officials
and business men of Ohio. While he had
not written it out in advance, he had
thought it over carefully His theme was
the "Statesmanship OF Industry"
The president told the business men
that it was impossible to separate these
and life He declared that the two were
inseparable. The history of business in
the United States, he said, was tied
up with the history of the nation.
United states Needs s. ips.
The need of ships to carry the COM
merce of the nation was dwelt on. Since
the war of 1912, he declared the United
States has pruposely attended first to
internal affairs Some business men, he
declared, sought foreign trade, but many
Sisregarded it.
" The banking and currency law passed
during the present administration was
lauded by the president as great aid
to foreign commerce Until it was passed
there were hardly any foreign branches
of American banks. he said. He critl-
cised the policy OF protection. Business.
he declared, should be efficient, but it
should not be organized in order to
secure monopolies.
''I. for my pert" he said, look forward
TO the future of American business with
confidence. because it had changed its
point of view"
He opposed the injection of politics into
business. He described himself as
militant democrat" and added that the
democratic party wanted to help busi-
ness
Repeating the idea expressed in his last
message to congress. the president said
that he believed in liberty OF all peoples
He declared aggressively that as long as
he was president. Mexico would be al
lowed to choose its own government.
The presidents words were frequently
marked by applause He spoke rapidly
but carefully and used more emphatic
gestures than he usually does.
II would not entrust the economic
progress of the nation to a few trustees,
said the president.
Reserve Force of World.
The European war. he declared, had
put the United States in a new relation
to the world. This nation will have to
be the reserve force Of the world. he as
serted
''It Is imperative, therefore" he con-
Einued, ''that no obstacle shall be put in
the way of American business
Business has been set free by the
new banking law" he added.
He spoke of the opportunities of dem
ocratic America
IT like to think of the boy i'm the gut
ter" he declared. "who will some day
stand up and speak the voice OF Amer
Tea"
Business, the president declared, should
stand on its own feet. American business
men should not be afraid to match wits
with any in the world. The typical Amer
lean should be entirely independent. He
added that business men do not need the
help of official Washington as much as
they think they do.
TOO many business men," he said,
run down to Washington and say II
looks like rain, for Gods sake give us
shelter"
The president mid great applause said
that he believed when the present war is
over the people Of the world will demand
guarantees that peace shall remain.
IF America preserves its self-posses-
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