Evening journal., 1915-12-08
WEDNESDAY DEC. 8. 1915
PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE.


DREsIDENT WILSON'S message is before Congress.
In some respects it pleases the American public
In others, it is keenly disappointing.
One of its pleasing features viewed by the broad is
the manner in which he has met the public demand for
preparedness for national defense despite the fact that
II was necessary for him reverse himself in order
10 do so. While unquestonably there will be many
conflicting views relative what constitutes wise pre-
paredness, the President least has laid the ground
for full discussion If it be carried free from par
hsan rancor and If the administration does seek
% make il Democratic preparedness rather than
ional preparedness material good should result
Another pleasing feature Of the message deals with
hyphenated Americans and the foes Of our ma
tion Many persons Will agree with him that the grav-
est danger to country from within our own
borders and that effort should be spared to crush
hose secret foes
Among the features of the message which are dis
appointing to the American people are those which
recommend the of the revamped Ship Purchase
bill and the imposition upon the already overburdened
people OF hundreds Of millions additional war taxes
in time Of peace instead Of suggesting return to
protective tariff which would at the same time sup
ply protection to industries and the money re-
quired for the administration of national affairs
The Presidents message is not a long one; nor arc
questions discussed within It's four corners.
eign relations, pan -Amercanism, national defense
larger army and larger navy national revenues bet
ter government for the Philippines the OF the
hyphenaed American and regulations to the rail-
road problem tho important matters dealt with
in his usual scholarly style.
His recommendations bearing upon the enlargement
OF our army and navy elaborate and precise
Whether they wise unwise should be left to the
Judgment Of expert army and navy opinion The ques-
tions involved many and far-reachng that il
is difficult for the lay mind pass intelligent judgment
upon them They should be passed upon by the best
military and naval minds in country before any
can our appliances for defense be made what they
ought to be- National defense a principle, is ap-
proved by vast majority Of the people National de-
Tense in its details never should be left TO the mercy
Of inexpert civil judgment II calls for the best and
patriotic of treatment by our most capable mill
tsry and naval officers
What the President says about the decadence of the
American merchant marine would be touching il one
could forget the disastrous working OF the LaFolete
Seamens law and the renewed proposal made by our
chief executive that the United States Government.
through Ship Purchase legislation enter into ruinous
competition with what is left Of merchant marine
In view of conditions in the Philippines and of the
purpose Of the Republican minority in Congress to
show up those conditions due to Democratic malad-
ministraton it is not surprising that the President
seeks to foresall such attacks by urging the early
adoption by Congress OF measures that will give fuller
Justice" to the Filipinos
The figures upon which the financial discussion in
the Presidents message is founded We're supplied to
him. no doubt, by that asute financial juggler who
holds the Treasury PORTFOLIO It not thought that
they will Withstand the acid test Of analytical discus
son particularly with respect to the present and the
prospective deficits. No doubt il will be possible to
show by such analysis that increased direct taxation
would have been necessary to meet the results OF
Democratic mismanagepent if the question Of
| army. navy and Notifications enlargement had
been brought to the fore. Before Congress ends the
real financial state OF the government will be known
additional win be needed to Democratic
laundering and extravaganza and what part Of it will
be really available for national defense work
Perhaps all Americans except those who are or have
been, serving German and Austrian Spies potters
bomb-pacers and ncendiaries will applaud that part
Of the Presidents message which declares that such
creatures Of passion dsoyalty and anarchy must be
crushed out" They not many. he says but they
are infinitely malignant and the hand Of our power
should close them at once.
They have formed plots to destroy property they
have entered into conspraces against the neutrality of
the government, they have sought TO pry into every
confidential transaction OF the government in order TO
serve interests alien TO own the President adds
1T is possible to deal with these things very efec
tually need not suggest the terms in which they
should be dealt with"
The fact that he merely echoes the expressed thoughts
Of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and others who are not
Democrats should serve 10 dull public appreciation
Of those belated utterances.
That the railroads Of country are to be subjected
further hectorng ii the President can bring it about
is made clear by his recommendation that a Commits
sion Of Inquiry be created by thorough