Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-02

else their rights for fear we might he
called upon to vindicate them would be
deep humiliation indeed. 1t would
be an implicit. all but an explicit
acauiescence in the violation of tho
rights of mankind everywhere and OF
whatever nation or allegiance. II
would be a deliberate abdcation of our
hitherto proud position as spokcsmen
even admist the turmoil of war for
the law and the right. 1t would make
everything this government has at
| tempted and everything that 1t has
achieved during this terrible struggle
of nations meaningless and futile.
1T Is important to reflect that If in this
instance we allowed expedcncy to tallc
the place Of principle, the door would
inevitably be opened to still further con
/ cessions. Once accept single abatement
| of right and many Other humiliations
would certainly follow, and the whole
fine fabric of International law might
crumble under our hands piece by piece.
What We are contcnding for in this mat
ter is Of the very essence Of the things
that have made America sovereign
nation. She cannot yield them without
conceding her own impotcncy as a nation
and making virtual surrender of her in
dependent position among the nations of
the world.
II am speaking, my dear senator. in
deep solcmnity, without heat, with clear
consciousness of the high responsibilities
of my office and as your sincere and de-
voted friend If we should unhlppiy
differ. we shall differ as friends but
where issues so momentous as those are
Inv,
friends speak our minds without reserva-
ton.
BEAUTIFULLY yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
The President wrote his letter during
tho afternoon. shutting himself up in his
study while congressional leaders vainly
attempted to get him on the telephone to
tell him of developments at the Capitol,
and to arrange for the call of the House
leaders. He began to write after telephone
conferences with cabinet members and
other close advisors. His decision was to
end all speculation over what the position
of the government was. and to let Con-
gress and the country know that the adj
minstration believed the United States
could do nothing but stand behind the
right of it's citizens to the freedom of the
seas.
SITUATION REALLY UNCHANGED.
At the State department to-day it was
stated that in its international aspects
the situation had not changed in the slight
est degree for three or four days. Off
Gals said nothing had been heard from
Germany in response to the request of the
United States for assurances that pre-
vious pledges given in the LuSitania and
Arabic negotiations would not be nulli-
fed by the new campaign against armed
ships.
Confidential advices from Berlin, how
ever, have indicated that Germany would
reply that all assurances previously given
would be observed. but that they applied
only to unarmed vessels, and would pro-
pose discussion Of what defensive
armament properly may be- How far
such a proposal would go toward altering
the situation is said to depend largely
on additional information as to how
armed British merchantmen are said TO
have warred on German suhmorsibles
which now is on the way to Washington
by mail.
To-day's developments in Congress
showed the administration leaders holding
their lines against any such action as
the President opposes. A canvass of th'
Senate disclosed sentiment in favor o!
President Wilson's position dominating
In the House tho administration posi-
ton was less certain, but the leaders Wcr,
confident that vote would show Al
overwhelming ma jority for upholding tn,
President