The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-30
REGRETS QUESTION HAS COME UPDURING
 YEAR OF ELECTION
Is Not a Partisan Issue. More Gravity and Force Displayed in Cleveland Speech Than in Any of His Other Addresses

Cleveland, January 29.-President Will son, speaking, as he said, "solemnly, warned the nation tonight that the time may come when he cannot both keep the United States out of war and maintain it's honor. He declared that the country must be prepared to defend itself and prepared at once,
 America is not afraid of anybody" he said. 'I know I reflect your feeling and the feeling of all of our citizens when say the only thing I am afraid of is not being ready to perform my duty. I am afraid of the danger of inadequacy; 1 am afraid of the danger of not being able to express the chief character of this coun- try with tremendous might and effective ness whenever we are called upon to act in the field of the worlds affairs"
 The President spoke in Cleveland to- night with more gravity and force than he has shown during any of his previous addresses on preparedness.
 CHEERING IS TREMENDOUS
 He was applauded frequently and when he spoke of defending the nations honor the cheering was tremendous.
 Let me tell you very solemnly you can not postpone this thing" he declared. T do not know what a single day may bring forth l do not wish to leave you with the impression that I am thinking of some particular danger.
 'I merely wish to tell you that we are daily treading amidst intricate dangers. The dangers that we are treading amongst are not of our own making and not under our control. l think no man in the United States knows what single week, single day, may bring forth.
 Again and again the President spoke of the nations honor. He declared the real man believes his honor is dearer than his life and a nations honor is dearer than it's peace and comfort. He said it had been difficult to keep the United States out of the war and he felt he had proved he was a man of peace when possible.
 Regret that the question has come up in a campaign year was expressed by MT. Wilson.
 Let us forget" he said, that this is a year of national elections" The pre- pareGness issue, he added, should have nothing to do with politics.
 REFERS TO NAVY
 For the first time during his present tour the President spoke of the navy and of the cosat defenses The latter he said, are good in quality but not in quantity.
 Some peope say that the navy ranks second, he declared but the experts agree it ranks fourth. He added it should be increased.
 Among the possible sources of danger mentioned by the President were the diff faculties growing out of the protection of Americans abroad and the obligation of the United States to maintain the lib critics of the people of the western hem isphere.
 we are in the midst of world that we did not make and cannot alter" the President said Its whole atmospheric and physical conditions are the conditions of our own life also; and therefore as your responsible servant l must tell you that the dangers are infinite and con stant.
 Il should feel that I was guilty of an unpardonable omission if did not go out and tell my fellow countiymen that new circumstances have arisen which make 1t absolutely necessary that this coun- try prepare herself, not for war. not for (COntinucd on Page Sixt