The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-01
CAMP AIGN
FOR DEFENSE
President Wilson Seeks Support
For His Policies.
DELIVERS SPEECH IN new YORK

Men OF High Character Beclouding
the Preparedness Issue, According
to the President, Who Defends the
Continental Army Plan Drawn Up
by Secretary Garrison = other
Points In the Address.
New York, Jan. 2S.-President Will
son, speaking before the Railway Bus
iness association, revealed exactly the
course he intends to take when he
goes west tonight to start a backfire
against the congressman who have
been fighting his preparedness pro
gram
At the same time the president SO
strongly defended his personal poll
cies, so eagerly pleaded for support,
that the speech took on something OF
a political complexion, and was so re-
garded by most o. the men who
heard It,
Once he solemnly warned the great
audience that he could not say what
the international relations of the
United States would be tomorrow
and he used the word literally--nor
could he honestly assure them that
these relations would be as bright as
they are today. Not SO very much
farther along he said ne hoped every
man in public life would get what was
coming to 7nim
Much of his speech he devoted to
preparedness = developing his now
familiar policy but diluting his down
right attitude for real preparedness
with the expressed fear that large
professional military force might
prove to be dangerous-edged tool.
Occasionally he fairly famed out in
striking phrases saying that America
wanted peace, but would never crav-
enly avoid a conflict, but that Amer
lea would never be the aggressor.
When he touched on Mexico he de-
cleared that Intervention in Mexico
would never dc, because of the COM
plexities OF international politics.
Woe to any man who plays mar
plot or who seeks to make party poll
tics or personal ambition take prece-
dence over candor. honor and unself-
ish, bipartisan service!" said the
president in speaking OF his defense
plan. He declared that the country
expects action; this year is year of
accounting and the accounting must
be definite on the part of parties and
on the part of every individual who
wishes to enjoy the public confidence.
For Continental Army.
The president admitted that in a
message TO the last congress he had
said the need for preparedness was
rot pressing. He declared that he had
learned something in the meantime.
He cited his recent support of q tariff
commission as another instance of a
Cnange on his part, Dut declared that
previously there was no need Cor sucn
commission. The business men ELL
Enthusiastically cheered his support of
the commission.
Mr.. Wilson spoke of men Of hign
character who were clouding the pre-
paredness ISSUE He declared tney
were provincial and that the United
States could no longer cut itself off
from the rest of the world.
The president defended the conti-
mental army plan drawn up bv Secre-
tary Garrison, and said that he did
not care about the details of any plan
as long as 100000 trained men were
provided as reserves under the fed
eral government. He advocated
strengthening the national guard, but
said the constitution itself put the
guard under the state. He added that
the United States will not turn in the
direction of militarim.
Outlining why the United States
should prepare, Mr.. Wilson said we
must protect our rights as nation
and the rights of our citizens in Amer
lea and outside of 1t as the consensus
OF civilized peoples has defined them;
must insure the unembarrassed real
ization of our political development
within our own borders and must pro-
tect the peace and political autonomy
OF the Americans.