The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-09-23

stances have arisen, President Will
son declared Saturday, which make
it absolutely necessary that this coun-
try should prepare for adequate ma
tional defense.
I'VE are in the midst Of world
that we did not make and cannot al
ter" the President said. Its whole at
mospheric and physical conditions are
the conditions of our own life also;
and therefore, as your responsible SER
want l must tell you that the dangers
are infinite and constant. should
feel that was guilty Of an unpardon-
able omission If l did not go out and
tell my fellow-countrymen that new
circumstances have arisen which
make it adequately necessary that
this country prepare herself for war,
not for anything that smacks in the
least of aggression, but for adequate
national defense"
Peace With Honor Difficult.
He told of difficulties encountered
in maintaining the peace and uphold
ing the nonor of the United States at
the same time. Two things, he said,
were told him by almost everyone
who came to the White House. One
was that the people were counting on
him to keep them out of war and in
the next breath, he continued, he was
told that the people counted equally
upon him to maintain the honor of
the United States.
Have you reflected that a time
might come when l could not do
yourselves ready to stand behind
your government for the maintenance
of the honor of your country?"
Must Protect Every American.
Americans have gone to all quar-
ters of the world" he said. "Ameri-
cans are serving the business OF the
world in every part of it, and every
one of these men. when his affairs
touch the regions that are on fire is
our ward, and we must see to MS
rights and that they are respected.
I'VE have said our chief interest is
not in the rights of property, but in
the rights of man; our chief interest
is in the spirits of men that they
might be free, that they might enjoy
their lives unmolested so long as thew
| observe the Just rules of the game
that they might deal with their fel
lowmen with their heads erect, the
subjects and servants of no man, but
the servants only of the principles
upon which their lives rested.
Pledge Of Monroe Doctrine.
And America has done more thar
care for her own people and think OF
| her own fortunes in these great mat
ters.
"She has said ever since the time
of President Monroe that she was the
champion of freedom and the sep
arate sovereignty of peoples through
out the western hemisphere.
"She is trustee for those ideals. and
she is pledged, deeply and permanent
ly pledged, to keep those momentous
promises.
There have been some extraordt
nary exaggerations both OF the mill
tary weakness and the military
strength of this country. Some men
tell you that we have no means of de
fense and others tell you that We have
sufficient means of defense, and
neither statement is true.
Take, for example, the matter oi
our coast defenses. 1t is obvious tt
everyone that they are of the mos
vital Importance to the country. Such
coast defenses as we have are strone
and admirable, but we have not go
coast defenses in enough places
Their quality is admirable, but theil
quantity is insufficient
And the navy of the United
States! You have been told that :
is the second in strength in the world
am sorry to say that experts do no
agree with those who tell you that.
Reckoning by its actual strength
believe 1t to be one Of the most ef
ficient navies in the world; but it.
strength ranks fourth. not second.
And you must reckon with tn
fact that It is necessary. and tina
that should be our first arm of de
fense. and you ought to insist tina
everything should be done that it !;
possible for us to do to bring tn
navy up to an adequate standard o
strength and efficiency"
He was applauded frequently an
when he spoke of defending the ns