The Dolores star., 1918-12-06
WILSON'S ADDRESS
TO CONGRESS

follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress: The
wear that has elapsed since last
stood before you to fulfill my consti-
tutional duty to give the Congress
from time to time information on the
state of the union has been so crowded
with great events. great processes and
great results that | cannot hope to
give YOU an adequate picture of its
transactions or OF the far-reaching
changes which have been wrought in
the life of our nation and of the world
You have yourselves witnessed these
things as | have. 1t is too soon to as
sess them; and who stand in the midst
uf them and are part of them are less
qualified than men OF another genera
ton will be TO say what they mean
or even what they have been. But
some great outstanding facts are un-
unsuitable and constitute in sense
pari of the public business with which
II is our duty to deal. To state them
is 70 set the stage, for the Legislative
and executive action which must grow
out Of them and which we have yet to
shape and determine.
n year ago we had sent 1853
men overseas Since then we have
sent 1.950,5l3. an average OF 1872.
Zach month, the number. in fact, rising
in May last to 245,951 in June to 21S,.
100, in July to 1872, and continuing
10 reach similar figures in August and
In, nd IN,
September 257,43S. No such movement
Of troops ever took place before across
5000 miles OF sea, followed by ade
uuate equipment and supplies and car
ried safely through extraordinary dan
gers OF attack-dangers which were
alike strange and infinitely difficult to
guard against. In all this movement
only 75S men were lost by enemy at
racks, $50 OF whom We're upon single
English transport which was sunk near
Il. orkney Islands.
Unity Made Task Possible.
Il need not tell you what lay back
OF this great movement OF men and
material.
1T is not invidious to say that back
NJ it lay a supporting organization of
the Industries of the country and all
lis productive activities more com
plcte, more thorough in method and eff
fcCtiye in results, more spirited and
unanimous in purpose and effort than
any other great belligerent had ever
been able to effect. We profited
greatly by the experience of the ma
tons which had already been engaged
for nearly three years in the exigent
and eXacting business. their every re-
source and every executive proficien-
Cy taxed to the utmost. We were the
pupils. But we learned quickly and
acted with a promptness and read-
ness OF cooperation that justify our
great pride that we We're able to serve
The world with unparalleled energy
and quick accomplishment.
But it is not the physical scale and
eNecutive efficiency of preparation,
supply, equipment and dispatch that |
would dwell upon. but the mettle and
quality of the officers, and men we
sent over, and of the sailors who kept
''' ''oo, anu th' Spii II VI tiS h"ticiA
hat stood behind them.
No soldiers. or sailors, ever proved
themselves more quickly ready for the
test of battle or acquitted themselves
with more splendid courage and
achievement when put to the test.
Those of us who played some part in
directing the great processes by which
the war was pushed irresistibly forward
to the final triumph may now forget
all that and delight our thoughts with
the story of what our men did. Their
officers understood the grim and eX-
acting task they had undertaken and
performed with audacity, efficiency
an unhesitating courage that touch
the story of convoy and battle with
imperishable distinction at every turn.
whether the enterprise We're great or
Small-from their chiefs, Pershing and
sims, down to the youngest lieutenant;
and their men were worthy of them
such men as hardly need to be COM
handed, and go to their terrible adven-
ture blithely and with the quick intel
ilgence of those who know just what
It is they would accomplish.
Il am proud to be the fellow country
man of men of such stuff and valor.
lhose of us who stayed at home did
our duty: the war could not have been
Won or the gallant men who fought it
given their opportunity to win 1t 9TH
"rwise; but for many long day we
shall think ourselves 'accursed' we