South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-07
PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE
& DICTINCsT CLIAIT ENCE

While there is but very little in the presidents
sage that has been anticipated for weeks, it is a
distinct challenge congress TO down some
much needed business, and build American fabric,
AT for future usefulness Instead being led astray
on the trail the frenzied preparedists' Prest Will
outlined a program not beyond the possibility
Of acceptance by the reasonable pacihsts. 1t is
former $ en-year program reduced to fve-year pro-
gram; Dc carried years earlier than former
" anticipated and that is all. and enough The means
doing this given much more consideration than
what be done.
The establishment Of a merchants marine is another
important demand of the presidents message seem
ingly regarded by him of at least equal importance
TO preparing defense" the prepared
ists' are won't call it. The merchant marine pro-
gram is to be but a revision Of the plan before
gress at the session, but advanced certain to
prove adequate in time to insure against foreign
advantage commerce. War, according to the
president has taught never before, the need Of
American ships in the transportation Of imports; need
that only great i'm times of peace Throughout
the the executive is giving larger attention
the development Of resources and material welfare
capable of heuefttng people, a
faction of the "preparedst" seeming thirst for
Which IS exactly should be and should conCcess
the president up his plan for raising the
for increasing and equipping the and navy,
you may quite that there will be less
demand for such increase If the burden is made to
upon by direct taxation rather than
necessities by tariffs imports the owners of the
Injuries Of them; folk who called
to do battle-or seldom hear such call,-will be-
come very much less interested in having an enormous
preparedness program put through. regret that
the president did not perhaps could not. for con-
stitutional recommend
men supplies and munitions calculated for the warning
powers. The constitutional prohibition against duties
exports probably prevents would be very idea
however. could done since manufacturers
OF materials for Europe. in their demands for a
larger preparedness for the United States
be operating patriotic disguise, market
for the continuance of such manufacturing after the
war is over other words, we would favor any tax
for preparedness that would operate penalty
"god-plated" patriotism; patriotism for
But anyhow, Prest Wilson has proven by his
sage that ne has lost his listening the
demands for preparations-any more than South
Bend for example. lost its equilibrium yesterday in
observing so-called Defense Day 10y displaying
American hag. A few flags displayed. doubt
from patriotic motives while others displayed
the same motives the majority caring to
join in the hypocracy represented ~ the National De-
Tense league promoters. The American public as the
presidents indicates and local observance
of Defense Day seems to approve, is ready for
reasonable prepare ness," but
war trust dupes
Equally significant O which is the messages refer
TO that type of preparedness" demanded in
more Americanized Amercanism. The operations of
internal foes. msusing their American right
free press ard free speech a greater menace to
today than possibility foreign invasion The
president has handled this in no uncertain words An
Americanism dedicated America. not for revenue
under the false pretense OF preserving American
liberty when matter of fact the purpose per
vert that liberty and utilize it assist outside
power; such an Americanism dedicated TO America
say. with the president is among needs
Throughout, the message is an expression of great
these. Will go down in history amon. our sanest
Of state documents.