view raw text
GENERAL NEWS NOTES OF THE DAY. In his annual address to congress President Wilson gave his answer to those who contend the United States is not prepared for national defense. "Let there be no misconception," he said. "The country has been misinformed. We have not been negligent of national defense. We are not unmindful of the great responsibility resting upon us. We shall learn and profit by the lesson ot every experience and every new circumstance; and what is needed will be adequately done." Assembled iu joint session in the hall of the house, senators and representatives heard the president, reading his address in person, outline the administration legislative program and voice a fervent hope that the United States might be instrumental iu bringing peace to Europe. The legislative program includes passage of the conservation bills, the bills for ultimate inde-IKMidence of the Phillipplnes, ratification of the London convention for safety at sea, a government-owned merchant marine, charting the perilous waters of the Alaskan coast, and measures for economy iu all branches of the government. Dire need of food among the people of Albania and Palestine is reported by Ambassador Morgeuthau to the state department. In these countries, the report said, more than 300,000 people are facing famine and 30,000 already have died of starvation. Mr. Morgeiithaus dispatch was sent immediately to the Ued Cross society, which has issued an appeal for public subscriptions to finance relief measures. Senator Lodge of Massachusetts introduced in the senate a resolution creating a special committee of three senators, three members of the house and three civilians to make an investigation, of the condition of the defenses of the continental United States. This commission Is to report at an early date with recommendations looking to the perfection of the defenses on laud and water. Every railroad, telegraph and telephone line Iu the territory under the control of the Constitutionalists in Mexico was taken over yesterday by the Carranza government. Gen. Carranza asserted that this step was made necessary by the requirements of the military campaign. Eugene E. Schmitz, three times mayor of San Francisco and removed from office iu 1907 while San Franciscos so-called graft prosecution was in progress, has formally announced that he would Imj a candidate for a fourth term as mayor in 1915. The British steamer Vedra, from Port Arthur. Tex., with a cargo of gasoline, went ashore near Barrow, Eng., in a heavy gale. The cargo ignited and of the crew of thirty-six men only two were saved and they were severely burned. The Democratic majority of the House rules committee has voted against granting a hearing on tho Gardner resolution for an investigation of the uu-preparedness of the army and navy. Charles A. Coniiskey of the Chicago Americans has bought Second Baseman Eddie Collins from tho Philadelphia Athletics and signed him for a term of five years. W. W. Uockhlll, noted American diplomat, died yesterday at Honolulu, on his way home from China. Fifteen million dollars was spent by Kansas people for automobiles this year.
