Evening journal., 1916-04-19
BY The United Press.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April ID
President Wilson was grave and
earnest as he addressed Congress at
noon. A full minute after the Prosi-
dent ceased speaking a brief storm
Of applause broke. with the members
on the floor and In the galleries par
ticipating "a rebel yell" given when
he entered the chamber was not re-
poated AT the height of the cheer
ing the President stepped down from
the speakers platform and departed
from the chamber. He entered his
automobile and was driven directly
back to the White House.
Tho President had made no re-
quest of Congress He had simply
fulfilled "a promise that he would adj
wise Congress In case he took ac-
tlon such as he reported today hav-
| ing taken. Senators returned TO
I their chamber and the House resum-
/ ed consideration of its agricultural
bill
For the first time In the history OF
! German-A American difficulties, Am
bassodor Won Bernstorf left the State
/ Department today unsmiling. He
was plainly nervous.
81 have not been given my pass
ports. I know nothing of your gov
ernment's intentions; I did not dis
cuss the note with Secretary Lam
sing" he replied TO questions.
The Presidents message was:
"a situation has arisen in the for
eign relations OF the country OF which
il is my plain duty TO inform you very
frankly.
ct will be recalled that in Feb
ruary. 1915. the Imperial German gov
ernment announced It's intention to
treat the waters surrounding Great
Britain and ireland as embraced with
I'm the seat Of war and to destroy all
merchant ships owned by It's enemies
that might be found within any part
of that portion OF the high seas. and
that il warned all vessels. Of neutral
as we'll as OF belligerent ownership,
to keep out of the waters Il had thus
prescribed or else enter them al their
peril. The government of the United
States earnestly protested. II took
the position that such a policy could
not be pursued without the practical
certainty of gross and palpahlo viola
tions of the law OF nations. particu-
larly If submarine craft were to hC
employed as its instruments. mas.
much as the rules prescribed by that
! law, rules founded upon principles Ol
humanity and established for the pro.
lection OF the lives OF non-cOmhatants
al sea, could not in the nature OF the
/ case be observed by such vessels j
y based It's protest on the ground tha
persons OF neutral nationality an,
7 vessels of neutral ownership woull
be exposed TO extreme and intolerahl,
- risks, and that no right TO close an,
- part OF the high seas against thei
D use or TO expose them TO such risk
d could lawfully be asserted By an
+ helligerent government The law O
d nations in these matters. upon whic
d the government OF the United State
T. based its protest. is not Of recent or
n gin or founded upon mere arbitrar
l. principles set up by convention.
s is based on the contrary. upon man
1t fest and imperative principles OF h,
+ manity and has long been establishe
" with the approval and by the expires
IS assent Of all civilized nations.
Notwithstanding the earnest DR.
70 test OF our government. the imperi,
/ German government az once proceel
q ed 10 carry ont the policy Il had al
>. nOunced. II had expressed the hon
20 that the dangers involved. at any rat,
= the dangers TO neutral vessels. woul
b. reduced to a minimum by the n
. structions which Il had issued TO IL
= submarine commanders. and assure
u the government of the United State
that 1t would take every possible pr,
= caution both to respect the rights q
p neutrals and 10 safeguard the lives G
q non-combatants
"What has actually happened {
'I the year which has since elapsed hg
- shown that these hopes were not jus
r flied. those assurances insusceptibl
r of being fulfilled. H. pursuance {
'r the policy Of submarine warfar
l. against the commerce OF its adve
s. saries. thus announced and entere
I. upon by the imperial German govern
l. ment despite solemn protest of thl
he government, the commanders OF &c
n man undersea vessels have attacke
l. merchant ships with greater an
greater activity, not oily upon th
)f high seas surrounding Great Britai
he and Ireland but wherever they cOul
ID encounter them, I'm a way that hi
]
m and more indiscriminate as n
e. months have gone by. less and lei
pr observant of restraints of any kline
y and have delivered their attacl
)f without compunction against vesse
+ of every nationality and bound upo
s. ever sort of errand.
Vessels Of neutral ownership. eve
vessels OF neutral ownership bour
l. from neutral port to neutral port, ha'
been destroyed along with vessels
Mt bellfgerent ownership In constant
lr increasing numbers Sometimes Il
merchantmen attacked has been war
D. ed and summoned TO surrender befo'
being fired on or torpedoed; som
times passengers or crews have bee
r vouchsafed the poor security Of beir
70 allowed TO take to the ships boats b
fore she was sent 10 the bottom. 81
n again and again no warnings have bee
IN given, no escape given to the ship
boats allowed TO those on board. VIII
n this government foresaw must happC
n has happened. Tragedy followed traI
a. edy on The seas in such fashion, wit
such attendant circumstances as
e make IL grossly evident that warfal
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