The Detroit times., 1915-12-07

ciiltate In every possible way the
building. purchase. and American
registration OF ships But capita
cannot accomplish this great task OF
by degrees, as the opportunities o,
trade develop. Something must be
done al once; done to open routes
and develop opportunities where
they are as yet undeyeloped done
to open the arteries Of trade wherc
the currents have not yet learned 20
run-especially between the twT
American continents. where they are
singularly enough. yet 10 be created
and quickened; and II is eviden'
that only the government car under
take such beginnings and assume the
initial financial risks. Whnn IN"
begins to find it's way in sufficient
abundance into these new cnanueta
the government may withdraw. But
II cannot omit TO begin. II should
take the first steps. and should take
them at once. our goods must not
lie piled UP at our ports and stored
upon side tracks In freight cars
. Which ar, are S daily needed ,so%, on The roads
transport 10 any foreign quarter. We
must not await the permission OF
foreign ship-owners and foreign gov
crnmsnts to send them where we
will.
with a view TO meeting these
pressing necessities OF our commerce
and availing ourselves at the earliest
possible moment Of the present un-
poralleled opportunity OF linking the
two Americas together In bonds OF
mutual interest and service. an op-
portpnity which may never retur n
again II we miss II now. proposals
Will be made TO the present congress
for the purchase or construction OF
rhips TO be owned and directed by
the government similar to those
made 10 the last congress. but mod
fled in some essential particulars.
recommend these proposals TO you
for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the ormer
proposals were made has made the
necessity for such action more ana
more manIfestly imperative, That
need was then foreseen. II IL now
acutely felt and everywhere realized
by those for whom trade IL waiting
but who can hnd no conveyance for
their goods. I am not so much Inter
ested In the particulars OF the pro-
gram as 7 am in taking Immediate
advantage OF the great opportunity
IN this emergency In this matter.
as in all others. a spirit OF common
counsel should prevail. and out OF II
should come an carly solution Of this
There is another matter which
seems TO be TO be very intimately
associated with the question OF ma
'lNnal SHfety ana preparation TOT 10
fense. That In our policy towards
the Philippines and the people Of
Porto Rico. Our treatment Of them
and their attitude towards MS are
manifestly OF the first consequence In
the development OF our duties In the
world and In getting a free hand 70
perform those duties We must he
free from every unnecessary burden
or emharrassment: and there IN n
better way 10 be clear OF embarrass-
nent than 10 fulfl our PROCESSES ard
promote the interests OF those de-
pendent on us to the utmost Bill
FOR the alteration and reform OF the
government OF the Philippines an
'or rendering fuller political justice
70 the people OF Porto Rico wer.
- Ito 60 tho ~. s.uy-third con
gress. They will be submitted ais
YOU. need not partIcularizS
their details You are most OF YOU
already familiar with them. But =
recommend them to your early
rfnntion with the sincere conviction
that there are few measures yoH
ldopi which would more SER
viceabiy clear the way for the grea
tCios by which we wish to make
good. now and always, our right %
lead In enterprises OF peace and
good Will and economic and politicr
freedom.
The plans for the armed forces o,
he nation which 7 have outlined. and
for the general policy OF adequate
preparation for mobilization and de-
Tense, involve OF course very large