The Elbert County tribune., 1916-02-04

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 must tell you that the dangers
are infinite and constant. l should
feel that | was guilty of an unpardon-
able omission If / 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
both?" he asked. Have you made
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 his
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 thev
observe the just rules OF the game;
that they might deal with their fell
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 than
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 extraordi-
nary exaggerations both OF the mill
tary weakness and the military
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 OF
our coast defenses. 1t is obvious to
everyone that they are of the most
vital importance to the country. Such
coast defenses as we have are strong
and admirable. but we have not got
coast defenses In enough places
Their quality is admirable. but their
quantity Is insufficient
And the navy of the United
States! You have been told that It
Is the second in strength in the world.
| am sorry TO say that experts do not
agree with those who tell you that
Reckoning by its actual strength.
l believe 1t to be one of the most eff
hcient navies in the world; but its
strength ranks fourth, not second.
And you must reckon with the
fact that it is necessary, and tina.
that should be our first arm of de-
Tense. and you ought to insist that
everything should be done that it Is
possible for us to do to bring the
navy up to an adequate standard of
strength and efficiency"
He was applauded frequently ane
when he spoke OF defending the ma.
tion's honor. cheering was Tremendous