Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-07

choosing. We will aid and befriend
Mexico, but we will not coerce her;
and our course ought to be sufficient
proof to all America that we seek no
sovereignty or selfish control"
''rhe moral is that the states of
America are not hostile rivals but co.
operating friends, and that their grow
ing sense Of community of interest,
alike in matters political and in mat
ters economic, are likely to give them a
new significance as factors in inter-
national affairs and in the political
history Of the world. 1t presents them
as in very true and deep sense, a
unit in world affairs, spiritual partners,
standing together because thinking to-
gether, quick with common sympathies
and common ideals. Separated, they
are subject to all the cross-currents of
the confused politics of world of hos.
tile rivalries; united in spirit and pur-
pose they cannot be disappointed of
their peaceful destiny.
"This is pan-Americanism. It has
none of the spirit Of empire in it, 1t
is the embodiment, the effectual em-
bodiment, of the spirit of law and in
dependence and liberty and mutual
service" "
For National Defense.
The president then outlined his plea
for national defense.
"Great demOcracies are not belliger-
ent," he said. 'EThey do sot seek or
desire war. We insist upon security in
prosecuting our self-chosen lines of ma
tional development.
eve do more than that We de-
mand it also for others. We have set
America aside as q whole for the uses
Of the Independent nations and political
freemen.
"We regard war merely as means
of asserting the rights of q people
against aggression. We will not main
tain standing army except for uses
which are as necessary is times of peace
as in times of war. But we do believe
in body Of free citizens ready and
sufficient to take care of themselves
and of the governments which they
have set up to serve them.
"But war has never been q mere mat
ter Of men and guns. If our citizens
are ever to fight effectively upon a
sudden summons, they must know how
modern fighting is done. And the
government must be their servant;
must supply them with the training
they need to take care of themselves
and Of it. The military arm of their
government they must properly use to
make their independence secure-and
not their own independence merely, but
the rights also of those with whom they
have made common cause, should they
also be put in jeopardy. They must be
fitted to play the great role of the
world, and play in this hemisphere for
which they are qualified by principle
and chastened ambition to play.
Navy and Merchant Ships.
tTt is with these ideals in mind that
the plans of the department of war for
more adequate national defense were
conceived which will be laid before
Won, and which l urge you to sanction
and put into effect as soon as they
can be properly scrutinized and dis
cussed."
the navy building five year pro-
gram, endorsed in detail, was said by
the president to involve "only short.
ening Of tho time within which plans
long mOtured shall be carried out.
Trade and shipping is another prob
lem of national adequacy, the president
declared, urging the government ship
purchase bill. He did not recommend
anv specific appropriation.
fTt is Of capital Importance" he de.
clared. "not only that the United
States should be its own carrier on the
seas and enjoy the economic Importance
which only an adequate merchant
marine would give it, but also that the
American hemisphere as whole SHOULD
enjoy like indepndent self sur
ficieney, il it is not to be drawn into
the tangle Of European affairs
t'Moreover, we can develop no true
or affective American policy without
ships Of our own--not ships Of war
Int ships Of peace, carrying goods ana
carving much more: creating friend
ships and rendering indispensable serv'
ice TO all interests on this side OF tne
water They must move constantly
bacl, and forth between the Americas
Thev are the only shuttles that can
weaye the delicate fabric Of sympathy,
comprehension, confidence and mutual
dependence in which we wish to clothe
our nolicv of America for Americans. "
Revenue Suggestions,
Legislation for ''alteration and re,
form Of the Philippines government ana
public Justice to the people Of Porto
Rico,n we're urged by the president
Turning to revenue needs, the presi,,
dent said IL the present "war" tax and