Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-08
EDITORIAL COMMENT
ON WILSON'S MESSAGE
Some Commend It Highly-But
German Press Shows the
Hyphen

uent 3 message:
San Francisco Chronicle: "No infor
nation that amounts to anything, OF
that is news to anybody is given 'on
the state of the union,' las suggested
by the constitution.)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "Presi.
dent Wilson g message to the congress
of the United States is at once strong
and weak. In logic and diction it is
plainly below the standard of his form.
er state papers - fact due, possibly
to diverting subjects more intimately
engaging his attention.
California Democrat: (San Francisco
German daily Very vague and uncer.
tain insinuations were expressed "
against "hyphennted" Americans. The
whole paragraph has great similar
ity to the phrases of zealotical preach.
er of the gospel against bad humanity
in general, who has not the moral cour.
age to name in his accusation those
who have actually failed.
Portland Oregonian: There is no room
for criticism of the sentiments and
high purpose expressed in President
Wilson g address to congress, 1t reaches
its noblest heights in the denunciation
of those men who abuse their privilege
OF citizenship to disturb cur peace, i'm
pair our safety and give reasonable
aid to foreign nation at our cost.
Oregon Deutsche Zeitung: (Portland)
The oath of allegiance which these sub.
jects of his maledictions (citizens of
foreign origin) have taken is not to
the president, in propria, persona, but
to the constitution of the United
States. They have not foresworn their
sympathetic feeling for their home
country but for their former ruler, and
they have an undoubted right to wish
hope and pray for the success of their
former fatherland. This sentiment and
a lamentable incapacity to comprehend
the subtle refinemento of the presi-
dents neutrality rulings is weakness
of heart but not q treason. Moreover,
when the president of the United States
advocated ostracising and hazing Of
foreign born citizens because they ex.
ercised their right to censure his con.
duct he stepped into. the shadow of the
twilight of his right and the wrong of
melting violence.
Sacramento Star: The president has
admitted that he can change his mind.
1t may 1e that he win change his mind
ON some of his recommendation and
that, after all, this nation win not
adopt policy smacking of militarism.
Seattle Times: The president g
message is devoted wholly to prepared.
ness--prcparedness against war, prepar.
edness against dangerous commercial
rivalry on the seas, preparedness
against reasonable activities at home
and preparedness for a greater Monroe
doctrine, to which all American states
shall be subscribing parties.
All in all, the message is what the
country had expected. It does not 90
so far in the way Of military prepared.
ness as many firmly believe necessary;
neither does it unduly bow to the peace
at any price element. Under these cir.
cumstances, 1t would not be surprising
If congress followed his army and navy
recommendation very closely, unless
one or the other Of the opposing schools
of thought displays preponderatinp
strength, during the discussion of this
momentous question.
Portland (0re.) Journal: II is n kir-
of message that is good for Americans
to read, for in the reading there VIII
come to each satisfactory sense Of the
noble purpose, the exalted Christian
spirit and the broad justice of the re.
public as it is now administered.
Pomona Progress: The president ;,
message has rudely awakened the ma.
tion to a realization of the sense OF
false security which has prevailed
since the close of the Spanish war. b.
his proposed Pan-American union is
likely to be the forerunner Of compiled.
tions greater than any which have con.
tronted the United States during this
generation.
Los Angeles Tribune: "In the presi.
dents. demand for the suppression of
these malignants (hyphenated Ameri,
eans) all true Americans will feel q
hearty sympathy. Whether they be
foreign birth or native to the soil, citi
sens who set allegiance to n foreign
power above the loyalty they owe y
land should have no place among us. u
San Diego Union (Republican)
president Wilson's program Of pre-.
paredness, as outlined in his message Ia
congress yesterday, will probably be as
little pleasing to those favoring ex.
treme measures for national defense as
to Mr.. Bryan and persons of his way OF
thinking. The presidents proposal is
that years shall elGpsc before even ~
crate progress toward preparedness
shall have been made, and that the net
results Of carrying out his plans for a
greater army and navy viii not neces
sarily mean that the country will be
adequately protected"
Pasadena Star: The president Is met
tie has been tried--we have nothing "a
fear from his attitude with regard tc
our foreign relations. But we may
have reason to fear rabid, demngogic
i'll advised talk on the floor Of the house
and the senate. From rash. foolhardly
speechmaking in the halls Of legisla.
tion, good Lord, deliver usl"
Pasadena News! In the part of tho
message dealing with alien activity and
hyphenated disloyalty, President vii
son takes n bold aud highly proper
stand. His counsels in this matter
should be needed, and inaction upon
thcm there could be no excuse for party
division. To endorse them fully would
be Americanism, an avowal Of faith In
American institutions and principles.
What the English Say.