The state herald., 1915-12-10
Annual Message Pleads for Con-
certed and Efficient
Action.
FOR GREATER REGULAR ARMY
Citizen soldley Part Of His Plan
Problem Of comme rcial Mobilization
stated-DisIoyalty Among Ger
tain Elements In Our Ma
tionai Life Serious
Menace to Peace.

Warrington. Dec. 7.-President Will
son today delivered the following mes
sage to congress:
Gentlemen of the Congress: Since l
last had the privilege of addressing
you on the state of the Union the war
OF nations on the other side OF the sea,
which had then only begun to disclose
its portentous proportions, has extend
cd It's threatening and sinister scope
until It has swept within its flame
some portion Of every quarter of the
globe, not excepting our own hemi-
sphere, has altered the whole face of
international affairs, and now presents
q prospect OF reorganization and re-
construction such as statesmen and
peoples have never been called upon
to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
tral. 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; 1t was
necessary. II a universal catastrophe
was to be avoided, that 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, II only to prevent col.
lective economic ruin and the break
down throughout the world of the In
dustries by which its populations are
faA cfat In Ad Nj lv
the duty of the selfgoverned nations
OF this hemisphere to redress, II pos
sible. the balance OF economic loss
and confusion in the other. II they
could do nothing more. In the day OF
readjustment and recuperation we
can be OF infinite service.
American Nations Partners.
In this neutrality. to which they
we're bidden not only by their separate
life and their habitual detachment
from the politics of Europe but also by
clear perception Of international
duty. the states OF America have be.
come conscious Of a new and more
vital community interest and moral
partnership In affairs. more clearly
conscious OF the many common sym.
pathies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
There was a time in the early days
OF our own great nation and OF the re-
publics fighting their way to indie
psndence 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 con.
troll from the other side OF the water:
felt II It's duty TO play the part even
without invitation from them: and |
think that we can claim that the task
was undertaken with a true and dis.
interested enthusiasm for the freedom
OF the Americas and the unmolested
self'Eovernment OF her independent
peoples. But II was always difficult to
maintain such 3 role without ofiense
TO the pride of the peoples whose free.
dom OF action we sought to protect,
and without provoking serious miscon
ceptions OF our motives. and every
thoughtful man OF Affairs must wei.
come tho altered circumstances OF the
new day In whose light we now stand
when there Ia no claim OF guardian.
fhip or thought OF wards but. instead.
full and honorable association as OF
partners between ourselves and our
neighbors. in the interest OF all Amer.
ica, north and south. 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 through.
out the whole life Of our government
and which was 30 frankly put into
words By President Monroe. W. stlll
mean always 10 make common cause
OF national Independence and OF po
litlesl liberty In America.
Attitude Toward Mexico.
w. have been put 10 the test In
the case OF Mexico. and We have stood
the test Whether We have benefited
MEXICO by tn. course We have pursued
remains to be seen. Her fortunes are
In her own hands, but ~. have At
least proved that We will not TAX. ad.
vantage OF her In her distress and un.
dertakr to Impose upon her an order
and government Of our own choosing.
We will aid and bctriend Mexico, but
We will not eocfc- her. and our course
with regard to her ought 10 be sun.
Client proof to all America that We
seek no political suserainty or selfish
control.
The moral In. that the states OF
America are no, hostile rivals bu, co.
operating friends and that their grow.
ing sense OF community Of intcrent.
alike In matters political and In mat.
,ers economic. IN likely TO give them
new Significance aH factors In inter.
national affairs aud In the political
history OF the world.
Drawing the Americas Together
There lu, venture TO poin, out. an
especial nlEntnrhnpo juai now attach.