OPENING OF CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16096, 9 December 1915, Page 4

OPENING OF CONGRESS.

MR. WILSON'S SPEECH EXPANSION OF AEMAMEKTg :: NEUTRALITY A DUTY. ' By Telegraph— Association— i : :- deceived December S, 11 pj&J ' . '"■ J Washesgtom. December 7. The President of the United States Mm. ■ Wilson, opened Congress to-day. g emphasised the necessity of remaining neutral in the European war, andasjr2i ~ v - for great increases in the naval and laili. : tary forces, including the creation 0 _ >V continental army. The latter proposal ""••> was received in silence. -~ .? '■ Mr. Wilson said that it was the datrrf-'.-. Americans to remain neutral so that tam' ■■*' part of the great family of nations j&fo keep the processes of peace alive, if «.' <-"■ to prevent economic nun and breakdmT? throughout the world. He concluded W upholding the Monro Doctrine, dim Mexico as a test case. The Presides! emphasised the necessity of an adequate :■ American mercantile marine, and the'mm. chase or construction of Government.' vessels to develop overseas trade aij trade between the American Continents.Mr. Wilson referred at length to Raj. Americanism, and the full partnershra between the North and South American--nations. He insisted that the United States should make common cause wit}, ''-'-. all partisans of liberty on her ad« of Withe Atlantic. She would have to set V aside America as a whole for the uses ''--'- of independent nations and for political freedom.