The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-01
NAVY READY FOR WAR.
PRESIDENT TELLS CHICAGO
Warns Against Acts That May Force United States
Into Conflict and Refers to Pressure
Exerted Upon Him

CHICAGO, Jan. Si.--The American
navy Is ready for Immediate service in
war II called upon. This was President
Wilson'S declaration on preparedness
uttered In the most important speech of
his defence campaign delivered here to-
night.
We ave made ready for immediate
war so far as the navy is concerned"
he said.
His utterance on the navy was but
one OF the high spots Of a speech that
tesmed with outstanding phrases. For
one thing he said that the European wa"
was brought on hy rulers and not by
peoples and that he thanked God there
il no ruler In Amarica who has the right
10 bring on war without the consent OF
the people.
The President defended vigorously the
international policy of his administration
since the outbreak against the cruel
misjudgments' which have been eX-
pressed by some OF the belligerent
peoples.
Those who have entertained these
opinions. he said. 10 not understand the
spirit of America: they do not know that
We are a body Of idealists; much more
ready tn lay down our lives for a thought
than for a dollar. They suppose. he
said. hat We are wholly lost because we
can make money while others are dying.
He realized. however. that these mis-
Judgments have become so deeply rooted
that 1t is almost futile to attempt to
disiodge them.
81 need not tell my hearers he said.
that We are not held Off by any ma
tional interest unless II Is the service OF
our Ideals AS the highest purpose Of our
destiny. " struggle has increased
from month to month and the difculties
involved by reason Of the war have in
creased beyond all calculation.
II must admit to YOU very frankly
hat I have been careful to refrain from
reading the details in the newspapers. I
wish to see the thing and realize 1t only
in its large aspects, and to keep my
thoughts concentrated on America. her
circumstances, her tasks. and her tasKs
have been very difficult.
Cheercd as Tic Entered.
C;ayly decorated with nass and hunt
ing and brilliantly lighted the Audi
forum was filled to capacity. 1t was a
scene suited to the utterance Of "a patri-
Otto speech.
The President entered to the music
Of THE Star Spanglcd Banner and
there was an outburs' OF h~andclapping.
which was renewed as Mrs. Wilson APP
reared In a box to the left Of the ros-
trum. The President smiled in appre-
citation OF the applause and Mrs, Wilson
did also.
An invocation was uttered by tho Rev,
Albert MacCartney. who prayed that the
President might ave patience when hc
needs II most,
President Frank G. Caldwell of ths
Industrial Club. who introduced Mr.,
Wilson, said II had been the purpose nj
those in charge OF the meeting to get
an audience fov the President through
representatives Of every element OF the
population of Chicago, As the Presi-
dent arose there Was an outburst OF
cheering and handclapping which TX
ceeded every ovation tina he had re-
ceived on the trip. Finally he mos
TUNED for silence in order that he might
begin.
Mr.. Wilson began With a statement
Of his opinion that duty obligates the
President of the United States to report
10 the people direct. AZ well as to the
Congress. as requested by the CosStitu-
tiOn, His frst sentence set AT rest ANY
doubtS hat might have existed AZ To
whether the Presidents voice could nj
the great hall In which he Was speaking
NO man can confidently say" he
said. whether the United States may
~ DR.. wn into the struggle or not. The
circumstances of the day are so ex'