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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1915)
TJJK BEE: OMAHA, WEDNESDAY, DEUKM15EK 8, 1!H5. Increase in Army and Navy-Urged as Viiai 4 President Wilson Addresses Congress on National Defense and Other Timely Matters Importance of Preparedness is Em phasized and Need for Additional Revenue is Plainly Pointed Out Merchant Marine Also Urged as Necessary to Proper Defense Pro gram. WASHINGTON, Deo. 7. President Wilson addressed the senate and house of representatives in joint session at noon to day. He said: "Gentlemen of the congress: Sine I last had ths privilege ef sddresslng you on lh stats of the union the war of notion on the other aide of the sea, which had then only begun trt disclose It portentous proportion, haa extended Its threatening and sinister scope until It has" swept within Its flame some portion of every quarter of the (lobe, not except ing our own hemisphere, haa altered the whole fact of International affairs, and row presents a prospect of reorganisa tion and reconstruction such aa states men and peoplos have never been called upon to attempt before. "We have stood apart, studiously neu tral. It was our manifest duty to do so. Not only did we have no part or interest In the policies which seem to have brought the conflict on: Jt waa necessary, If a universal catastrophe ass ta be avoided, that a limit should he act to the sweep of destructive war and that some I art of the great family of natlona should keep the processes of peace alive. If only to prevent collective economic ruin and the breakdown throughout the world of the industries by which its populations are fed and austalned. It waa mani festly the duty of the self-governed na tions of this hemisphere to redress, If pos sible, the balam-o of economic losa and confusion In the other. If they could do nothing more. la the day of readjust ment and recuperation we earnestly hope and believe that they can be of Infinite service. "In this neutrality. In which they were bidden not only by their separate life and their habitual detachment from the political of Europe but also by a clear perception of International duty, the statea of America have become conscious of a new and more vital community of Interest and moral partnership In affairs, more clearly conscious of the many com mon sympathies and Interests and duties which bid them atand together. t.enesle af Mssrss Doe trine. "There waa a time In the early daya of our own great nation and of the republics fighting their way to Independence In Central and South America, when the government of the United Btatea looked upon itself as in aome sort the guardian of the republics to the south of It as against any encroachments or efforts at political control from the other side of the water; felt It ita duty to play the part even without Invitation from them; and I think that we can claim that the task waa undertaken with a trua and dis interested enthusiasm for the freedom of the Americas and the unmolested self government of ita Independent peoples. Hut it waa always difficult to maintain such a -ole without offense to the pride of the peoplea whose freedom of action we sought to protect, and without pro voking serious misconceptions of our mo tives, and every thoughtful man of af fairs must welcome the altered circum stances of the new day in whose light we now stand, when there la no claim of guardianship or thought of wards, but. instead, a full and honorable association aa of partners between oursolves and our neighbors. In the Interest of all America, north and south. Our concern for the in dependence end prosperity of the statea of Central and South America la not al tered. We retain unabated the spirit that haa Inspired us throughout the whole life of our government and which waa so frankly put Into word by President Mon roe. We still mean always to make a common cause of national independence and of political liberty In America. - But that purpose is now better understood so far as it concerns ourselves. It is known not to be a selfish purpose. It la known to have In it no thought of taking ad vantage of any government In this hemi sphere or playing Its political fortunes for our own benefit. All the governments of America atand, so far as we are con National Defense Most Important Topic Now Before American People "Titers is, I venture to point out, an especial significance Just now attaching to the whole matter ot drawing tha Americas together la bonds of honorable ,.k,i uiu. wup and mutual advantage be cause of the economic readjuatmenta which the world must Invariably witness w'iMn the next generation, when peace shall have at last resumed Its health ful tanka. In. the performance ot these teaks I believe the Americas to be de ntinel to play their parta together. 1 am Interested to fix your attention en this proepect now because unless you take it within your view and permit the full significance of It to command your thought 1 cannot find the right light In which to set forth the particular matter that lie at the very front of my whole thought aa I address you today. I mean national defense. '"Na on who really comprehends the ni'lrll of the great people for whom w u. appointed to speak can tail to per-et-lvs that their paaaion. ia for peace, thitr genius best displayed in the practice of the art of. peace. Great democracies are not belligerent. They do not seek i,r dexlre war.. Their thought IS of in dividual liberty and of the fie labor that support life and the uncenaored thousht that ult keiis It- Conquest and dominion are not in our reckoning, or agreeable to our principle. But just be cause we demand unmolested develop ment and the undloturocd govrnment of uur una lite uir.ni uur own principle nf light and liberty, w resent, from whatever quarter It may coin, the ag gression w ourt-). will not pracUo. We 11U.IM ui.un security In prosecuting our i 1 f c hoeen lima of nullumd devel opment. We do mure than that. V de ji.anrj li tUu fir others. Wt tiu i.ot tut,- cerned, upon a footing of genuine equality and unquestioned independence. Well Tested In Mrs ton. "Wt have' been put to the test In the case of Mexico, and we have stood the test. Whether we have benefited Mexico by the course we have pursued remains to be seen. Her fortunes are In her own hands. But we have at least proved that we will not take advantage of her In her distress and undertake to Itnpoae upon her an order and government of our own choosing. Liberty Is often a fierce and In tractable thing, to which no bound ran be set. and to which no bounds of a few men's choosing ought ever to be set. Every American who haa drunk at the true fountalne of principle and tradition must subscribe without reservation to the high doctrine of the Virginia BUI of Rights, which in the great dsys In which our government was set up was every where amongit us accepted as tha creed of free men. That doctrine la. That gov ernment Is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection and secur ity of the people, nation or community;' thst 'of all the various modes and forms of government, that la the best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and ia moat ef fectually secured against t) dsnger of maladministration; and that, when any government shall be found Inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of ths community hath an Indubitable, Inalienable and Indefeasible right to re form, alter cr abolish It, In such manner aa shall be Judged most conducive to the public weal.' We have unhesitatingly ap plied that heroic principle to the case of Mexico, and now hopefully await the re birth of the troubled republic, which had so much of whlcji to purge Itself and so little sympathy from any outside quarter In the radical but necessary process. We will aid and befriend Mexico, but we will not coerce her: and our course with regard to her ought to be sufficient proof to all America that we seek no political suserainty or selfish control. No Lesser Hostile' HI rata. ( ' "The moral la, that the states of Amer ica are not hostile rivals but co-operating friends, and that their growing sense of community of li.treet, alike In matters political and In matters economic, is likely to give them a new significance as factors in International affairs and in ths politi cal history of the world. It presents them as In a very deep and true sense a unit In world affairs, spiritual partners, standing together because thinking to gether, quick with common sympathies and common Idnala. Separated they are subject to, all M cross currents of the confused politics of a world of hostile rivalries; united In spirit and purpose they cannot be disappointed ot their peaceful destiny. "This la ran-Amerlcanlara. It has none of the spirit of empire In It It is the embodiment, thr effectual embodi ment, of the spirit of law and Inde pendence and liberty and mutual aervlce. "A very notable body of men recently met hi the city of Washington, at the Invitation and as the guests of this gov ernment, whose deliberation are likely to be looked back to as marking a memorable turning point. In tha history of America. They 'were representative spokesmen of the several Independent atatea of this hemisphere and were as sembled to discus the financial and commercial relatione of ths republics of the two continents which nature and po litical fortune have so Intimately linked together. I earnestly recommend to your peruaal the reports of their proceedings and of the actions of their committees. You will get from them, I think, a fresh conception of the ease and Intelligence and advantage with which Americana ot both continents may draw together in practical co-operation and of what the material foundations of this hopeful part nership of interests must consist, of how we should build them and of how neces sary it la that we should hasten their building. tine our enthusiasm for Individual liberty and' free national development to the In cidents and movements of affaire which affect only ourselves. Ws feel It wher ever there Is a people that triea to walk In these difficult paths of Independence snd right. From the first we have rttade common cause with all part Wans of lib erty on this side the sea. and have deemed It a important that our neigh bors should be free from all outside domination as that we ourselves should be; have set America aside a a whole for the uses of Independent natlona and political freemen. Oar View ef War. "Out of such thoughts grew all ouri policies. We regaro war merely as a m mean of asserting tha rights of a people against aggression.' And ' we are ar fiercely Joalou of coercive or dictatorial power within our own nation as of ar- grasioa from without We will notj maintain a atandlng army exo.pt for ! uses which are a. necessary In Ut. or peace as in times or war: snd we shall . rrulaere three scout cruisers, fifteen always see to it thst our military peace ,MW 'fV, fleet submarines, twtn establlahment Is no larger than Is. actually ; ty.nv cot submarines, two gunbosts. aad continuously needed' for the uses' an4 one hospital ship, the second year, of days In which no snemles move, (w0 battleships, one scout cruiser, ten against us. But we do betlee In a body "; troy.rs. four fleet submarines, fifteen of free cltlsens ready and aufflclent com submarines one gunboat and ons take ears of themselves and of the gov I fuel oil ship: the third year, two bat emmenta which thoy have set up to serve ' ti, .1,1 pa, one battle cruiser, two scout them. In our constitution themselves we ' cruisers, five destroyers, two fleet Sub have commanded that the right of the 1 marlnee and fifteen coast submarines; paopls to keep and bear arms shall not ths fourth year, two batt'eshlps. two be tcfringsd.' and our confidence ha battle cruisers, two scout crulssrs, tan been that our safety In times of danger destroyers, two tluet submarines, fifteen would lie In the rising of the nation to ' coast submarines, ons am rtuntlcn ship Uke rare of Itself, as the farmera rose j and one fuel oil ship; and tne fifth year. at Lexington. "But r bis sever bten unc inattcr of men and gun. It Is a thing of dis ciplined might. If our cltlsens are ever to fight effectively upon a sudden sum mons, they must know how modern fighting Is done, and what to do when the summons comes to render themselves Immediately available and Immediately effective. And the government must be their servant in this matter, must supply them with the training they need to tk care of themselves and of It. The mill' tary arm of their government, which they will not allow to direct them, they may properly use to serve them and make their Independence secure and not their own Independence merely but the rights also of those with whom they have made common cause, should they also be put in Jeopardy. They must be fitted to play the great role In the world, snd particularly In this hemisphere, for which they are qualified by principle and by chastened ambition to play. "It I with these Meals in mind that the plans of the Department of War for more adequate national defense were conceived which will be laid before you. and which I urge you fo sanction and put Into effect a aoon as thoy can lie properly scmtln led and dlacuaed. They seem to me the essential first steps, and they eee.m to me for the present suffi cient Increase la Poree Desired. "They contemplate an Increase of the standing force of the regular army from Its present strength of b.021 officers and 102.98 enlisted men of all service to a strength of T.U9 officers and IM.TW en listed tnen, or 141,843, all told, all services, rank and file, by the addition of fifty two companies of Coast artillery, fifteen companies of engineers, ten regiments of infantry, four regiments of field srllltery, and four aero squadrons, besides 75) of ficers required for a great Varioty of extra service, especially ths all Important duty of training the cltlxen force of whl ih I shall presently spesk, 702 nonoommls- j sioned officers for service In drill, . re , oruitlng and the like, and tha necessary quota of enlisted men for the quarter master corps, ths hospital corps, the ordnsnce department, mil other rlmllar auxiliary sen Ices.. These are the addi tions necessary to render the army adequate for Its present dutlrs which it has to perform not only upon our own continental coasts snd borders and at our Interior army posts, but also In ths Philippines, In the Hawaiian lalands. at tli lithmua, and In Porto Rico. "By way of making the country ready to assert some part of Its real power promptly and on a larger scale, should occasion arise, the plan also contemplates supplementing tha army by a force of four hundred thoussnd disciplined cltl sens, raised In Increments of ona hundred and thirty-three thousand ' a year throughout a period of three yeara. This It is proposed to do by a process ot enlistment under which the serviceable men ot the country would be asked to bind themselves to serve with the color for purposes of training for short periods throughout three yesrs, and to come to the colors at call at any time through out an additional "furlough", period of thres years. This force of four hundred thousand men would be provided with personal accoutrements ss fast aa enlisted and their equipment for the field made ready to be supplied at any time. They would be assembled for training at stated Intervals at convenient place In asso ciation with suitable units ot the regular army. Their period' of annual training would not neceasarily exceed two montha in the year. ' '' ( Depeads Oa Patriot to 1 at pals. "It would depend upon the patriotic feeling of the younger snen of the coun try whether they responded to such a call to service or not It would depend upon ths patriotic spirit of ths employers of the country whether they made It possible for ths younger- men in their employ to respond under favorable conditions or not I. for on, do not doubt ths patriotic devotion either, of our young men or of thoss who give them smploymenf-those for whose benefit and protection they would In fact enlist I would look for ward to the success of such an experi ment with entire confidence, "At Jeaat so much by way of prepar ation for defense seems to ma to be ab solutely Imperative now, .We cannot do less. Ths program 1 which will be laid be fore you by the secretary ot the navy ia similarly conoelved. It "Involves only a shortening ot ths time within which plans long matured shall be carried out; but it does make definite and explicit a Drosram which has heretofore been only Implicit, held in ths minds ot ths com mittees on naval affairs and aisciosea In the debates of ths two houses but nowhere formulated or formally adopted. It seems to me very clear that It will be to ths advantage ,et the country for the congress to adopt a oomprehenslve plan for putting ths navy upon a final footing of strength and efficiency and to prees that plan to completion within the next five years. We have always looked to ths nsvy ot ths country as our first and chief line of defense; we hsvs alwaya seen it to be our manifest course of prudence to bs strong on ths seas. Tear by year we have been creating a navy which now ranks very high Indeed among the navies of ths marltlros na tions. Ws should now definitely deter mine how we shall complete what ws have begun, and how soon. . Btreaa-ta Newer Kavy. Th. orogram to be laid before you contemplates the construction within flvs six' csttie i vanra lis svia aa a- , ,MP. fif.- desire. i QTUlswayi w, iu ta sjvw" - " ' w i era, fifteen fleet submsrlnes. elgnt-fivs coast submarines, four gunboats, ons hospital ahlp, two ammunition shlpa, two ' ru.t ti ahlDS. and ons repair ship. It i. KUnAi utti or inia aumuer " - .wVftret year provide tor the con ' of ,wo b,Ue ships, two bat two battleshlia. ons battle cruiser, tws svout cruisers, ten deitroreie. two fleet submarines, fifteen coast submarines, one gunboat, one ammunition ship and one repair ahlp. "The aecretary of the navy Is ssklng also for tha immediate addition to thv personnel of the navy of 7.500 sailors, 1.600 apprentice seamen and l.VO marines. This Increase would be sufficient to car for the ships which sre to be completed within the fiscal year, 1917 and also for the number of men which must be put In trslning to man the ships which will be completed early In 1918. It la slco necessary thst the number of midshipmen at the Naval academy at Annapolis should be Increased by at least T0, In order that the force of officers should be more rapidly added to; and authority ,la asked to appoint, for engineering duties only, approved graduatea of en gineering colleges, and for service in the aviation corps a certain number of men taken from civil life. "It this full program should be carried out we should have built or build ing In 1921. according to the estimates of survival and standarda of ' classifi cation followed by the Oeneral Board ol Department, an effective navy' conalstlng of twenty-seven battlshlps, of the firs., line, six battle cruisers, twenty-five bat tleships of the second line, ten armoied cruisers, thirteen scout cruisers, five first class cruisers, three second class cruisers, ten third class crulaers, 1W deatrover. eighteen fleet submarines. 157 coast sub marlnea, six monitors, twenty gunbosts, four supply ships, fifteen fuel ships, four trsnsporta, three tenders to torpedo ves sels, eight vessels of special types snd two ammunition ahlps. This would be a navy fitted to our needa and worthy ot our traditions. Mtrrhasl Marine la Needed. "But armies and Instruments cf war are only part of what has to be considered If we are to consider the supreme matter of national self-sufficiency and security in all Its aspects. There are other great natters which will bb thrust upon our attention whether we will or not. There Is. for example, a very pressing question of trade and shipping Involved In thin great problem of national adequacy. It Is necessary for many weighty reason of national efficiency and development that we should have a great merchant marine. The great merchant fleet we once used to make us rich, that great body of sturdy sailors who tised to carry our flag Into every sea, and who wera the pride and often the bulwark of the nation, we have almost driven out of existence by Inexcusable neglect and In difference and by a hopelessly blind and provincial policy of so-called economic protection. It is high time we repaired our mistake and resumed our commer cial independence on the seas. s "For It la a question of Independence. If other natlona go to war or seek to hamper each other's commerce, our mer chants. It seems, are at their mercy, to do with a they please. We must use their ships, and use them as they de termine. We have not ships enough of our own. We cannot handle our own commerce on 'the seas- Our Independence Is provincial, and Is only on land and within our own borders. We sre not Ilkly to be permitted to use even the ships of other nations In rivalry of their own trade, and are without means to ex tend our commerce even where the doors are wide open and our goods desired. Puch a situation is not to be endured. It is of capital Importance not only that the United Statea should be Its own terrier on the seas and enjoy tho : economic Independence which only an adequate merchant marina would give It but also that the American hemisphere aa a whole should enjoy a like Inde pendence and self-sufficiency. If It Is not to bo drawn into the tangle of European affaire. Without such independence the whole question of our political unity and self-determination la very seriously clouded and complicated indeed. "Moreover, we can develop no true or effective American policy without ships of our own not ships ot war, but ahlps of peace, carrying goods and carrying much more; creating friendships and rendering Indispensable services to alt ln 'tereets on this side ths water. They must move constantly back and forth be tween Americas. They are the only shuttles that can weave the delicate fabric of sympathy, comprehension, confidence, and mutual dependence In which we wish to cloths our policy of America for Americans. Mast H-lp Private Capital. "Ths task of building up an adequate merchant marine for America private capital must ultimately undertake and achieve, aa it haa undertaken and achieved every other like task amongst us In ths past, with admirable enterprise. Intelligence, and vigor; and It seems to me a manifest dictate of wisdom that we ahould promptly remove every legal obstacle that may stand In the way ot thla much to be desired revival of our old independence and should facilitate In every possible way the building, pur chase and American registration ot ships. But capital cannot accomplish this great ' task of a sudden. It must embark upon I It by degrees, as' the opportunities of ' trade develop. Something must be done I at once; done to open routes and develop I opportunities where they are as yet un developed; done to open the arteries of j trade where the currents have not yet learned to run especially between the ' two American, continents, where they are, singularly enough, yet to be created, BRIGHTER CHILDREN Children are probably brighterto-day than a generation ago but are they stronger i That's a grave question. So many pinched' faces, dulled eyes and languid feelings' make us wonder if they will ever grow into robust, healthy men aid women. I! your children catch colds easily, are tired when rising, lack healthy color, or find studies difficult, give them Scott's Emulsion for one month to enrich their blood and restore the body-forces to healthy action. Scott's Emulsion is used in private schools. It is not a "patent medicine", simply a highly concentrated oil-food f wiinout alcohol or harmful drugs.' . It cannot harm; it improves blood; it bene ms lungs sua atxengtnens the system, 1 oor druggist has it refuse substitutes. land quickened; and It Is evident that I only the government can undetake such beginnings and assume the Initial finan cial rlaka. When the risk has passed and private capital begins to find Its wsy In sufficient abundance Into these new channels, the government may with draw. But It cannot omit to begin. It should tske the first steps, and should take them at once. Our goods must not lie piled up at our ports and stored upon side tracks In freight cars, which are daily needed on the roads; must not be left without means of transport to any foreign quarter. We must not await the permission of foreign ahlp owners and foreign governments to send them where we will. Presses fMa Parehase Plan. "With a view to meeting these press ing necessities of our commerce and availing ourselves at the earliest possible moment of the present unparalleled op portunity of linking the two Americas together In bonds of mutual Interest and service, an opportunity which may never return again If we miss It now, pro Duy your piano or 350 i PIANOS and PLAYER PIANOS 4At Iswe arises thaa were ever offered by aay resatable plana kaaae la the ewaatry, aad aa the Blast reasoaaale terata. A superb array of New Pianos from which to make your selection from $175 and up. Stein way, Weber, Hardman, Steger to Sons, Emerson, McPhail, Lindeman & Sons, and our own Sweet Toned Scnmoller fc Mueller Fiano. Brand New Upright Sale Price S175 Used BARGAINS Former . .' : .-,. .. v:t , - v. , $450 Hazelton: squara piano .... $500 Chlckpring A. Sons, square piano..'... $225 Small, upright $250 J. P. Hale, upright.. $275 Marshall A Wendell, upright. .......... $400 Emerson, uprlglrt , . $300 Schmoller & Mueller, upright $350 Irera A Pond, upright bu sieger & sons, uprignt.... $276 Bradford, upright Also the Aeolian line of veeant, Aeolian and Schmoller urea. Select a bargain now and Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co., I ten Oil 3 8amle , Hruasel. Kugs. . HQEHE 24th QUALITY posal will be made to the present con- gress for the purchase or construction of ships to be owned and directed by the government similar to those made to the last congress, but modified In some essential particulars. I recommend these proposals to yon for your prompt acceptance with the more confidence, be cause every month that has elapsed since the former proposals were made has made the necessity for such action more and more manifestly Imperative. That need was then foreseen: it is now acutely felt and everyhere realised by those for whorri trade is waiting, but who can find no conveyance for their goods. I am not so much ' interested In the par ticulars of the program as I am In tax ing Immediate advantage of the great opportunity which awaits us If we will but act In this emergency. In this mat ter, as In all others, a spirit of common counsel should prevail, and out of it should come an early solution of this pressing problem. "There la another matter which seems nnr n mm player piano now, start A WEEK Buys This Piano. A WEEK A WEEK Buys This Player Piano SPECIALLY PRICED Hi ll and iU A WEEK Sale . Price. 18 I1 38 200 8150 .Former . Price. ' $ 300 Tryber. upright '. . $ 300 Segerstrom, upright $ 375 Mueller, upright . . . I 225 Erbe, upright ...... $ 600 Weber, upright $ 650 Stelnway. ! 1,000 Chlckerlng ft Sons, grand 1,100 Stelnway. grand $395 ! 450 Schubert Player Piano Sl95 600 Autonelle Player Piano 8300 udlngr Bteinway, Steck, Wheelock, Stroud, Stuy- .........$145. ..... 8155 Pianola Pianos, inc to Mueller Player Pianos. Every have it held for Xmas delivery. 01.DFST piao itorsE nr top. west, established jw. t hiiiiui mil r-rt jf-.S.-illAVAA.All XX ffc; Beautify Your Home This Christmas WITH AND Gins OF FUntllTURE PQ>CAL We have Something Appropriate for Every Member of the Family Christmas Sale of High Grade Rugs S075 S8 Bewnteas Si IOO 13Amin- . O Velvet Rugs...71T- strr Rus SPECIAL VALUES IN SMALL EUGS FURWITURE and L Sts.y South Omaha .HIGH PRICES LOW i to me to be very Intimately associated with the question of national safety and preparation for defense. That Is our policy towards the Philippines and the people of Porto Rico. Our treatment of them and their attitude towards us are manifestly of the first consequence In the development of our duties In the world and in getting a free hand to per form those duties. We must be free from ' every unnecessary burden or embarrass ment; snd there is no better way to be clear of embarrassment than to fulfil our promises and promote the Interests of those dependent on us to the utmost Bills for the alteration and reform of the government of the Philippines and for rendering fuller political Justice to the people of Porto Rico were aubmltted to the Sixty-third congress. They will be submitted also to you. I need not particularise their details. Tou are most of you already familiar with them. But I do recommend them to your early adop tion with the sincere conviction that there (Continued on rage Five, Column One.) paying in January IffGir PAY $5 A MONTH FREE STOOL. FREE SCARF. FREE LIVE INSURANCE. A 5-year guarantee wltk every Instrument gold. i New Player Piano Sale Price $350 for CHRISTMAS Sals Price. ;i2s 5128 SlOO upright instrument marked in plain tig. 1311-13 Farnam. Or1AHA. SI7OO 1 3. ifill tttjUtlH tkioajfirlil. M.J. iA