The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-02
President and Wife Obliged 10
Enter Through Fire Escape
Aisles Crowded by 1:15 ana
Militiamen Close Doors.
WE'RE ALL FOR WILSON TODAY
Governor Lauds Executive fOr
Keeping Us Out of War.
"Kansas First to Rally, Last 70
Leave" Says President.

Leave, says AICcAuOA"
By lis this afternoon the hign
school auditorium was crowded ana
standing room was at a premium
Militiamen stationed at the doors ana
in the aisies had to fight to keep hum
oreds of disappointed members of the
overflow crowd from pushing their
way into the crowded auditorium.
H. B. Wilson, superintendent OF
schools, estimated that LOO people
were crowded into the 1900 capacity
auditorium at 1880 o'clock. Part OF
the crowd comprised high school stu
dents bearing American flags.
Crowd Is Entertained.
Cheers and school yells punctuated
excellent music furnished by the high
school orchestra. In addition to -nu-
sic furnished by the orchestra, the
high school boys glee club sang stars
and Stripes Forever followed by a
drill by the girls athletic club. II. b:
Wilson presided, preceding the arrival
of the president.
Franklin Hunt of Kansas City and
Miss Gohlke arrived at lao and sang
two solos just before the presidents
party arrived. They first sang at the
big auditorium.
Mrs. Veale Arrives.
At 1885 two stalwart militiamen
pushed their way through the crowd
ed aisles, followed by Mrs. George W.
Veale, the oldest Democrat in Kansas.
A special seat was reserved for Mrs.
Veale in the right hand box
Cheers broke from the enthusiastic
crowd as -his loyal Dem ocrat of rs
summers took her seat. Her son,
George w. Neale, Jr.. had a seat at
his mothers side. Others in the box
with Mrs. Veale and her son were
, Mrs. Herbert j. Corwine, Mrs. Allen
and Mrs. John E. Barrett.
Stranger Causes Excitement.
! FRANKLIN Hunt and Miss Gohll1e
were obliged to crawl through a win
dow to gain admission to the
crowded auditorium. Upon complaint
of certain neuratic women and news
|, paper reporters. a stranger. who MAIN
!, tanned a position the window
President Wilson was scheduled to en-
ter to gain admission, was pushed
back in the crowd.
To militiamen who questioned him
he asserted he was a minister. The
militiamen assured the man they in
tended no Insult but were determined
to play safety first"
Enters Through a Window.
At 2:17 the president entered the
auditorium through an east window.
The entire crowd rose to its feet and
gave one cheer after another as the
party proceeded to the platform.
On the platform were Governor
Capper on the presidents left and the
presidents bride on the right. Mrs.
Wilson wore bouquet of orchids
w. w. Webb, president of the Com
mercial club, introduced Governor
Capper who introduced President Will
son. w. o. Rigby, Mayor House. f.
E. Whitney, Mrs. w. w. Webb. Mrs.
Jay e. House, ]. n. Dolley and Mrs.
Arthur Capper were others on the
platform. Mrs. Capper sat directly
opposite to Mrs. Wilson.
Governor Capper lauded the presi-
dent for keeping the nation out of war.
We all Republicans and Demo-
Gratis alike, stand for the president to-
day." said the governor
The audience arose and cheered as
the president rose to speak.
The Presidents Speech.
In opening his address. the presi-
dent told his audience the presence
of so many children took his memory
back to his schoolma ster days
Then he launched into Prepared
ness
There is a difference" he said. be
tween one military action and another
There is that of a constant standing
army of the world. That is not our
aim at all.
1T is preparedness, rather in hnv-
ing the young men trained and ready
TO fight, not mere targets for the
shots of the enemy. There are dread
full scientific implements of war in
vogue now we must have men who
understand these things and will be
ready to command these Implements
at moments notice.
Don't Want Big Army.
I'VE don't want them to form an
immense standing army. but we do
wish them to serve and train for three
months out of a year"
Continuing President WILSON pointed
to the manenver camps established in
the east and urged that such caups
become a settled thing. Unless some
things is done. he declared, America
would pay its full homage in death and
disaster in the event of being plunged
into conflict
Now some will ask" he said. "are
/ we IN danger of war? God forbid. we
are not. so far as l know this minute.
but we cannot tell. But do YOU sIIn-
pose We are living in a fireproof build
ing while all the rest of the world is
on fire?
1T seems that some part of our
country has touched this fire all over
the world and when the brands fly We
cannot tell when they will strike us.
The fire has spread to Africa. Asia
North America and Australia
viii Try to Keep Peace.
God willing. will do everything I
can to keep the country out of war
And know no section of the coun-
try will take up arms and fight hard
er than Kansas"
Next he told Of the blood Kansas
shed nthe early days for the ..rnere
abstract idea of individual freedom
IF Kansas won't fight who will ov
the president asked.
Il read in paper that Kansas is
not in sympathy with preparedness
feel that you must he prepared. then
knowing Kansas as / do"
At the conclusion of his speech
President Wilson and his party Lea
in the Same manner they came VI.
the fire escape. sprang into vaittn-
automobiles and hurried to the denot