New Britain herald., 1916-02-03
WILSON ASKS TO BE BACKED UP TO PROTECT AMERICAN LIVES AND TRADE ABROAD President Leads OO0 People at Kansas City in Singing 'America'-Gives Warning to Defend Munton Fac
 tories Along Atlantic Seaboard.

Kansas City, Mo-, Feb. 3.-Presi- dent Wilson demanded last night that steps be begun during the present ! month to back him up in defending American lives and commerce aboard. 1 His demand met with shouts and ap- plause from an audience of 16,000 persons, who waved American flags, leaped to their seats and cheered.
 When the President ceased speak ing, he leaned forward and asked rhe great throng to join him in singing America" The band played softly, the audience stood and the words of Americas national anthem came in a glorious burst of song.
 With President From Start.
 The big crowd was for the President from the start It waited patiently an hour to see him and cheered itself hoarse in a three minute demonstra- tion when he appeared Sixteen thousand heard him; 10000 were turned away and 10000 more tried to glimpse him as he left his hotel for the hall.
 Why some men in Washington are questioning if we could get the 500,- 900 men for which the government
 
 his address.
 Would they volunteer?'
 A man in the far end of the hall shouted: Yes"
 A dozen men-a score-fifty- echoed the word, and the hall was in a turmoil. President Wilson smiled an held out his hand.
 "Why, I believe" he said as the
 
 500,O00 men in almost any state I believe you could get 5000 men right here in this audience.
 "I have been thrilled by the experi- ences of these last few days" the President said, "and I will go home to Washington and smile at the gen. tlemen who say the United States is not awake"
 Going To Deliver Goods.
 These gallant men who sit on the hill in Washington and make our laws are going to deliver the goods -" The crowd cheered.
 Don't misunderstood me; they are going to deliver the goods, because you want the goods delivered'
 The President said the time had come for him to ask his fellow citi-
 
 ak and tell the people who repre- sent you what the nation desires and 1 demands. The thing that everybody | n democracy is listening for is the 1 ramp! tramp! tramp! of the facts. l
 Preserving Peace and Honor. T have come to ask you what is pack of me in this task of preserving at once peace and your honor,' the President said. "The judge on the bench has the law back of him with it's bailiffs, sheriffs, national guards men and the United States army. but if you ignore in some foreign capital what the President urges as the rights of the people and government of the United States, what is there back of it?
 "It is necessary that I should come and ask you this question: because I don't know how long the mere word and insistence of your government will prevail to maintain your honor and the dignity and power of the nation.
 War May Come.
 There may come a time-I pray Sod it may never come, but it may in spite of everything we can do-upon us when I shall have to ask T have said my say; who stands back of it?' where is that force by which the right and majesty of the United States are to be vindicated and asserted?"
 The President declared the need was imm ediate and that action should be begun within the present month. "I assure you there is not day to be lost" he said. Not because there is any special crisis, but be- cause I do not know twenty-four hours ahead what will happen.
 "The future does not depend on us but upon commanders of ships and of and upon blOckades ant