The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-19


have lost their lives on ships thus at
tackled and destroyed has grown
month by month until the ominous toll
has mounted into the hundreds. -.
Sussex-Most Shocking Instance.
"One of the largest and most shock
ing instances OF this method of war
fare was that of the destruction OF the
French cross channel steamer Sussex.
1t must stand forth as the sinking of
the steamer Lusitania did, as so singu-
larly tragical and unjustifiable as to
constitute a truly terrible example OF
the inhumanity of submarine warfare
as the commanders of German vessels
have for the past , months been con-
Quoting it. II this instance stood alone
some explanation, some diSaVOwal by
the German government some evil
dence of criminal mistake or Wilful
disobedience on the part of the COM
mander of the vessel that fired the
torpedo might be sought or enter
tanned; but unhappily it does not
stand alone. Recent events make the
conclusion inevitable that it is only
one instance, even though it be one OF
the most extreme and distressing in
stances, of the spirit and method CT
warfare which the imperial German
government has mistakenly adopted,
and which from the first exposed that
government to the reproach of thrust
ing all neutral rights aside in pursuit
OF its immediate objects.
L. ;. Has Been Patient.
The government of the United
States has been very patient. AT ev-
cry stage of this distressing experience
of tragedy after tragedy in which its
own citizens were involved, ii has
sought to be restrained from any eX-
IRENE course of action or of protest
by thoughtful consideration of the
extraordinary circumstances of this
unprecedented war and actuated in
all that it said or did by the senu-
ments of genuine friendship which the
people of the United States always
have entertained and continue to en-
terrain towards the German nation.
1t has, of course, accepted the sue
cessive explanations and assurances OF
the imperial German government as
given in entire sincerity and good
faith, and has hoped, even against
hope, that ii would prove to be posi-
BILE for the German government so TO
order and control the acts of It's naval
commanders as to square its policy
with the principles of humanity as
embodied in the law of nations 1t
has been willing to wait until the sig
nificance of the facts became absolute
" unmistakable and susceptible or but
one Interpretation.
Evidence Conclusive.
.Tbat point has now unhappily
been reached. The facts are suscept-
ible of but one Interpretation. Inc
imperial German government has not
been able to put any limits or restrlc-
ton upon its warfare against either
freight or passenger ships. 1t has.
therefore, become painfully evident
that the position which this govern
ment took at the very outset is newt
able namely that the use of subma-
rines for the destruction of an enemy s
commerce is of necessity, because OF
the very character of the vessels en-
pioved and the very methods of at
tack - hich their employment of
course involves incompatible with
the principles of humanity. the long
estabIishe ed and incOntrovertible rights
OF neutraIs and the sacred immunltles
of non COmbatants.
I have deemed it my duty, there
fore to say to the German imperial
government that if it is still its pur-
pose to prosecute relentless and 1ndls-
criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines,
Notwithstanding the now. demonstrat-
ed iTnDossibility of conducting that
warfare in accordance with what the
government of the United States must
consider the sacred and indiSputable
rules of international law and the uni
versally recognized dictates of hu-
mainly, the conclusion that there is
but one course it can pursue; and that
unless the German government should
now, Immediately declare and effect
an abandonment of its present meth
DDS of warfare against passenger and
freight carrying vessels, this govern
ment can have no choice but to sever
diplomatic relations with the govern
ment of the German empire alto
gether.
In Name of Humanity.
This decision I have arrived at
with the keenest regret; the possibility
of the action contemplated [ am sure
oil u A arir nc will 1nnlx fnT-
ward to with unaffected reluctance.
But we cannot forget that we are in
some sort and by the force of cir
cumstanceS the responsible spokesman
of the rights of humanity, and that
we cannot remain silent while those
rights seem in process of being swept
utterly away in the maelstrom of this
terrible war We owe it to a due re-
gard for our own rights as a nation,
to our sense of duty as a represen-
tative of the rights of neutrals the
world over and to a just conception of
the rights of mankind to take this
stand now with the utmost solemnity
and firmness.
Il have taken it, and taken it in
the confidence that it will meet with
your approval and support All sober
minded men must unite in hoping that
the imperial German government
which has in other circumstances
stood as the champion of all that we
are now contending for in the interest
of humanity, may recognize the justice
of our demands and meet them in the
spirit in which they are made"
Address Referred to Committee.
After the applause died down, Pres
ident Wilson passed out. Speaker
Clark declared the joint session at an
end, and the senators filed out The
galleries quickly were deserted.
Speaker Clark referred the address to
the foreign affairs committee and the
house resumed its regular business.
/ Speaker Clark and Democratic Leader
] Kitchin declined to comment on the
address They said they desired to di-
gest it fully before saying anything.
IBELL:ANS