Arizona republican., 1916-02-25
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honor and self respect of the nation is involved. We covet peace and shall preserve it at any cost but the loss of honor. To forbid our people to eXer- else their rights for fear we might be called upon to yindicate them would | be deep humiliation indeed It would be an implicit, all but an explicit, acquiescence in the violation of the | rights of mankind everywhere and of whatever nation or allegiance It would be a deliberate abdication of our hitherto proud position as spokesmen even amid the turmoil of war for the law and the right It would make ev- ! erything this government has attempt ed and everything that it has achieved during this terrible struggle of nations | meaningless and futile
 Tt is important to reflect that if in this instance we would permit expe- diency to take the place of principle the door would inevitably be opened to still further concessions. Once accept single abatement of right and many other humiliations would certainly fol- l low and the whole fine fabric of inter- national law might crumble under our hands piece by piece What we are contendins for in this matter is of the very essence of the things that have made America sovereign nation. She | cannot yield them without concedine her own impotency as a nation and making virtually surrender of her in- dependent position among the nations of the world
 T am speaking, my dear senator, in ueep solemnlty without heat, with a clear consciousness of the high respon- slpllltles Of my office, and as your sin cere and devoted friend. If we should unhappily differ, we shall differ as friends; but where issues so momen-
 tous as these are involved we must inst
 because we are friends speak our
 minds without reservation.
 Faithfully yours. tSigned) WOODROW WILSON" Senator Stones letter to the presi.
 dent follows:
 Dear Mir. President:
 oihce Senator Kern, MT. Flood an6
 talked with you on Monday evening am more troubled than I have bee, TOT many day. 1 have not felt a.,. thorlzed to repeat our conversation but nave attempted, in response to num.
 erous inquiries from my colleagues f, state to them, within the confidenc,
 that they should observe. my genera
 understanding of your attitude. I hay,
 stated my understanding of your atti
 tude to be substantially as follows. \ mat While you would deeply resre
 the rejection by Great Britain of M,
 Lahslngs proposal for the djsarma
 ment Of merchant vessels of the allie | with the understanding that German,
 ana her allies would not fire .upon
 merchant ship if she hauled to who, ! summoned, not attempting to escan
 ana that the German warships ",
 ohly exercise the admitted right n | visitation and capture and wouId mo
 destroy the captured ships except wh, reasonably assured of the safetv n passengers and crew, you were of f.,
 opinion that if Great Britain and he
 allies rejected the proposal and insiste upon arminG her merchant ships sh would be within her rights under in
 ternational law. Also that vou won, | feel disposed to allow armed vessels f
 pc cleared from our ports: also iha ! you are not favorably disposed to tb
 idea of this government taking an definite steps toward preyentin