Evening star., 1915-12-07
The Message.

first. and in terms of frankness and
earnestness. His conversion to the
cause has been complete. He re-
CARDS il no longer as academic but
as practical and patriotic, and he
wants it dealt with by Congress IN
that spirit. He leaves ground for dis
pute as to both army and navy de-
tails, but none whatever as to the ad-
visibility Of materially Strengthening
the national defense The war has
taught him that need of the nation.
But there is ground for partisan
controversy as to the manner OF rals-
ing the money for that and other out
lays, and it will be improved. Large
increases in revenue are necessary
both for preparedness and for de-
ficiencies growing out of the new
tariff law, and very properly the
President submits suggestions about
where the revenue should be found.
He is against the sale of bonds. He
recommends the pay as you go
plan. Incomes should be laid under
heavier tribute, and he names other
sources of supply. But not cent
more Of tax is suggested either as
to whisky. beer, or tobacco, although
all three are classed as luxuries, and
one-whisky-is a confessed evil.
Here is where partisanship, and
may be factionism, will come in.
There are senators and representa-
tives very much in favor of prepared
ness and of the pay-as-you-go prin-
ciple who are certain not to accept
the Presidents suggestions as to
revenue. And now they must, and
will, bring forward suggestions of
their own. They may even insist on
a settlement of the revenue question
in advance of the preparedness ques-
tion-not an unreasonable PROPOSE
ton.
The President has shifted his
ground on the subject of an Ameri-
can merchant marine. His latest plan
for putting the flag on the CONNER
cial water again is less open to criti-
cism on the score of state socialism
than the plan of last winter; but he
still stands out against what has en-
abled Great Britain, Germany, and
Japan to become the great sea-carry-
ing nations, and what American pri-
vate capital invested in merchant
ships, and even the American govern
ment itself if the owner of such ships,
will encounter when the war is over.
Those three nations assist their sea-
carriers with subsidies; and how we
can hope to play against them with
out some such aid is not clear.
As to the Philippines the President
stands by the Jones bill. But that
measure will be antagonized upon
fresh ground this time. Serious
charges have been made since the
Sixty-third Congress adjourned relat-
ing to present conditions in the is
lands, and a congressional investiga-
tion may be asked. The recent cor
respondence on the subject between
former President Taft and Secretary
Garrison has quickened interest.
In the main, the Presidents obser-
vations about the Monroe doctrine
will be Endorsed by the country. The
doctrine is still sound, still very much
alive and kicking. and stronger by
reason OF the fact that several OF our
southern friends have grown SO they
could, and would, materially assist
US in upholding it in case OF chal-
lenge. Nobody now believes that the
doctrine masks any purpose OF ours
70 acquire territory or control at the
expense of our friends. Cuba, how
ever, would have been far better
citation than Mexico as an evidence
OF our good faith. We took charge
Of Cuba twice, cleaned it up, and
either time might have annexed it,
but retired when our friendly task
was done; and the island is today in
the control of its people.
The message, upon the whole, is
a campaign document. well written,
and, whether supported by legisla-
ton or not, certain to afford texts
for the democracy next year.