South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-17

legislature. sen. CulDertSOn also
declared that other Goodrich
measures would have the sup
port OF the democrats.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Feb. IL
Oratory held sway in the Indiana
legislative chambers at the state
house Friday afternoon. After the
arguments of Gov. James p. Good
rich in behalf of his proposed excise
tax law, the senate and house heard
Former Pres't William Howard
Taft on the subject of the interna-
tional relations of the United states.
This double attraction drew an un-
usually large audience.
Arriving more than FIVE hours late.
due 20 a train wreck near Anderson.
former Pres't William Howard Taft
was escorted to the lieutnant- gov
ernor's stand in the senate by COM
mittee consisting Of the two floor
leaders. Sens. Robinson and gilbert
son.
Must Stand by Wilson.
ION this occasion, it is appropri-
ate. / take it," the former president
said. ito say something about the
crisis our country faces in its foreign
relations. Pres't Wilson has taken a
position and congress has indicted
determination TO stand by him. In
the heart of every true American
there should be no question as 10
what we must do. What the presi-
dent and congress do, we must stand
by.
The question of standing by our
country. whether she is right or
wrong, has given many people some
concern. They have been in doubt
as 10 whether they should be loyal
even if she is wrong. But there can
be no such question here. For we
are right.
Neutral Rights Violated.
"Our rights as neutrals have been
violated. it may be by both sides.
England eas carried her blockade to
a point farther than she was ever
willing for us to go. With Germany,
il is different. Already she has sent
70 the bottom of the sea. without
warning. more than 200 of our citi-
zens. She now announces her inten-
ton. to sink every vessel that comes
into a territory of the high seas,
where we have a right to trade and
to travel After a violation Of her
agreement to respect our rights. the
president has severed diplomatic re-
latiOns.
Are we 20 yield our rights? or
are we going TO follow the example
set 10 US by our ancestors? Are we
going TO make an American and his
rights respected around the world?
Worse Things Than War.
War is a horrible thing If we
go into this war. we do not know
where it will strike us. We ought not
TO enter il lightly and without a full
realization of what it may mean to
us. But there are worse things than
war. &
There is action needed. We have
already ta',an steps To increase our
navy and ca navy needed it. We
need a larger navy than Germany,
that will prevent any country from
landing six hundred thousand men
on our shores. Then we need an
army. We have already planned for
100000 volunteer recruits. The army
is still so small that the prospect of
recruiting it TO that strength is prac-
ticaly hopeless. Then what are we
20 do? our course heretofore has
been to depend upon volunteers. We
have thrust forward our best young
men. wholly unprepared and their
blood is on the nations hands.
Urges Universal Training.
Are we going TO recognize the
facts The cupidity of nations and
our proximity 10 the rest of the world
should cause us to prepare. We
should have an army fitting 10 de-
fend ourselves You cam recruit an
army at SIS a month There is only
one way. Universal compulsory mil
itary training CRATES on our tradi-
tons. Yet when we face the fact
Of its necessity and what il is. there
is much TO be said for it.
The general staff of the army has
fixed one year for youth between the
ages Of 10 and "a as the least length
Of time that will give us the neces-
sary preparation. We have delegated
20 somebody else responsibility for
training our youth. This year will
make them better men. it will bring
10 them some sense of obligation TO
their government.
We've got TO wake up, in this
country. my friends. The present
situation ought TO bring home 10 us
the fact that we are no longer iso-
lated. l am for the Monroe doc
trine. but it depends upon the force
with which we maintain il. The time
is coming. and it may not be far dis
tant. when we Will need more than
tradition 10 sustain IT,
Sen. Fleming's motion TO post
pone indefinitely further considera-
ton OF senate bill IS. introduced ~
Sen. Mckinley resulted in the death
Of "A proposal 10 repeal the three
mile gravel road law. The vote was
% 10 16. sen. Mckinley pleaded for
an opportunity 10 discuss the meas
ure on its merits and Sen. Hirsch
tried in vain TO have the bill made
a special order Of business for next
Tuesday afternoon. Gov. Goodrich
advocated the repeal OF the three
mile gravel road law and this was