The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-12-09

Washington. Dec. 7.-Presldent VIII
son today delivered the following mes
sage to congress
Gentlemen of the Congress: Since
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
ed its 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
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-
trail. 1t 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, If a universal catastrophe
was to be avoided that a 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, IL only to prevent col
lective economic ruin and the break
down throughout the world Of the in
dustries by which its populations are
fed and sustained. 1t was manifestly
the duty of the self-governed nations
OF this hemisphere to redress, If pos
sible. the balance of economic loss
and confusion in the other, IL they
could do nothing more. In the day of
REIMBURSEMENT and recuperation we
earnestly hope and believe that they
can be of infinite service.
American Nations Partners.
In this neutrality, to which they
were hidden 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 q time In the early days
of our own great nation and of the re-
publics fighting their way to indie
pendence 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 1t its 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-government of her independent
peoples. But 1t was always difficult to
maintain such a role without offense
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 vel
come the altered circumstances of the
new day In whose light we now stand,
when there is no claim of guardian
ship or thought of wards but, instead,
full and honorable association as Of
partners between ourselves and our
nelghbors, in the interest of all Amer
lea, north and south. Our concern for
the independence and prosperity Of the
states of Central and South America
is not altered. We retain undated
the spirit that has inspired us through
out the whole life of our government
and which was so frankly put into
words by President Monroe. We still
mean always to make a common cause
of national independence and Of po-
litical liberty in America.
Attitude Toward Mexico.
We have been put to the test Ia
the case OF Mexico. and we have stood
the test Whether we have benefited
Mexico by the course we have pursued
remains to be seen. Her fortunes are
In her own hands. But we have ut
least proved that we will not take ad-
vantage of her In her distress and I'M
dertake to impose upon her an order
and government OF our own choosing.
We will aid and befriend Mexico, but
we will not coerce her, and our course
with regard to her ought to be sutti-
cient proof to all America that we
seek no political suzerainty or selfish
control.
The 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 aud In mat
ters economic, Is likely to give them
new significance as factors In inter
national affairs and In the political
history OF the world.
Drawing the Americas Together.
There Is. venture 20 point out, an
especial significance just now attach
ing TO this whole matter Of drawing
the Americas together In bonds OF hon
orable partnership and mutual adyan