Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-31
PRESIDENT SAYS
NATION In PERIL
Comes to Proclaim that Perils
Before Republic Are Infinite
and Constant.
PATIENCE ONLY WEAPON so FAR

dent Wilson speaking. rs he said,
"so'omnly." warned the nation last
that the time iaay come when
he cannot both keep the United
States out OF war and maintain its
honor and declared that the coun-
try must he prepared to defend itself
and be prepared at once.
America Is not afraid Of any
body" he said, I know I reflect
your feelings and the feelings OF all
our citizens, when say that the
only thing | am afraid of Is not be-
ing ready to perform my duty.
am afraid OF the danger OF shame.
am afraid OF the danger OF made
quacy; am afraid Of the danger OF
not being able to express the correct
character Of this country. with tre-
mendous might and effectiveness
whenever we are called upon TO act
in the field OF the worlds affairs"
CheerinE Tremendous,
The president spoke In Cleveland last
night with more gravity and force than
he has shown during any OF his previous
addresses on preparedness.
He wac applaudod frequently and when
he spoke Of defending the nations
honor. the cheering was tremendous.
rLet me tell you very solemnly, you
cannot postpone this thing" he declared,
Il do not know what a single day may
bring forth l do not wish to leave you
with the impression that | am thinking
OF some particular danger.
II merely wish to tell YOU that we
ara daily treadlng amidst intricate dang
ers. The dangers that we are treading
AMONGST are not OF our own making and
not under our control. / think no man
In the United states knows what a single
week. single day, single hour may
bring forth"
Honor DeRrer Than Peace.
Again and again the president spoke
OF the nations honor. lie declared the
real man believes his honor is dearer
than his life and no nations honor Is
dearer than it's peace and comfort. lie
said. II had been difficult TO keep the
United states out OF the war and 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 Mr.. Wilson.
let us forget" he said. that this In
year of national elections" The pre-
paredness Issue. he said, should have
nothing to do with politics.
For The fifst time during hts present
tour the president spoke OF the navy
and the coast defensea. The latter. he
said, are good IN quality. but not in
quantity.
Some people say that the navy ranks
second" he declared, "but the experts
agree II ranks fourth" He added that II
should be increased.
Among the, possible sources OF danger
mentioned by the president were the
difficulties growing out Of the protec-
tion OF Americans abroad and the obli-
cation OF the United states 10 maintain
the liberties OF the people OF the west
ern hsmlsphero.
New Circumstances Arise.
New circumstances have arisen. Presl-
dent Wilson declared today, which make
It absolutely necessary that this country
should prepare for adequate national de-
fense.
I'VE are In the midst OF a 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. I must tell you
that the dangers are infinite and con-
slant.
| Il should feel that was guilty OF an
objectionable omission II aid not go
out and tell my fellow countrymen that
new circumstances have risen which make
II adequately necessary that this country
prepare herself for war. not for anything
/ for reasons not given. The destroyer
Lawrence moved down from It's station
here and anchored off the mouth OF the
otay river. which stream ran bank full
after being dry for years.
] An overland expedition also was started
from San Diego. with pontoons and en-
gineering equipment by which Il was
hoped swollen streams might be crossed
and mired roads made passable. No word
came back as TO its success.
/ No one here knew tonight what was go
ing ON In the outside world or even as
near as Los Angeles. The wireless, the
sole means Of communication except by
boat. could not begin 10 handle the busi-
!
II was impossible even TO estimate the
amount OF immediate relief work to be
done because no word from the stricken
valleys conveyed any idea OF the number
or plight OF the survivors
I FILLED for FIRST Time.
First reports OF the Otay disaster
I reached here late Thursday. They told OF
ranch houses washed away and OF cattle
and stock drowned. Investigation ap-
peared TO indicate exceptionally high
water, and word came that the lower
Otay dam was holding. This dam started
as a reinforced concrete affair, was
/ changed above foundation line to a strip
OF Tiveted steel In concrete, as a back
bone for a loose rock dam. Engineering
magazines throughout the country COM
mented on It and said that when the
reservoir was fun the test OF the con-
stTuction would come. The recent rains
| filled the reservoir for the first time
Last night the flood, bearing human
bodies. with a frightful amount OF wreck
age. established seemingly beyond all
doubt. the collapse OF the dam. From no
other source, engineers said. could this