The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-03-01


tral governments to prevent these
depredations, but fear none of them
has thought it wise to join US in any
common course of action.
Our own commerce has suffered,
is suffering. rather in apprehension
than in fact. rather because so many
of our ships are timidly keeping to
their home ports than because Am
erican ships have been sunk.
1.-Two American vessels have been
sunk, the Housatonic and the Lyman
M Law. The case of the Housatonic,
which was carrying foodstuffs con-
signed to a London firm. was essen
TALLY like the case of the Frye, in
which it will be recalled the German
Government admitted Instability for
damages, and the lives of the crew as
in the case of the Frye were safe
guarded with reasonable care.
The case of the Law, which was
carrying lemon box slaves to Paler-
mo, disclosed ruthlessness of meth
cd which deserves grave condemna-
ton but was accomplished by no cir
cumstances which might not have
been expected at any time in con-
ton with the use of the submarine
against merchantmen as the German
Government has used it.
In sum. therefore, the situation
we find ourselves in, with regard to
the acturl conduct of the German
submarine warfare against commerce
and its effects upon our own ships
and people is substantially the same
that it was when addressed ySu on
the Sd of February. except for the
tying up of our shipping in our own
ports because of the unwillingness of
our shipowners to risk their vessels
at sea without insurance or adequate
protection and the very serious con-
gestion Of our commerce which has
resulted.a congestion which is grow
ing rapidly more and more serious
every day. This in itself might pres
emily accomplish, in effect, what the
new German submarine orders were
meant to accomplish so far as we
are concerned. We can only say.
therefore, that the overt act which |
have venunred to hope the German
commanders would in fact avoid has
not occurred.
But while this is happily true, it
must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications
and expressions of purpose on the
part of the German press and the
German authorities which have in
creased rather than lessened the i'm
preston that if or ships and our
people are spared it will be because
of fortunate circumstances or be-
cause the commanders of the Ger
man submarines which they may
happen to encounter exercise an un-
expected discretion and restraint.
rather than because of the instruc-
tons under which those commanders
are acting.
1T would be foolish to deny that
the situation is fraught with the
gravest possibilities and dangers.
No thoughtful man can fail to see
that the necessity for definite action
may come at any time, if we are in
fact, and not in word merely, to de.
fend our elementary rights as a neu-
trail nation. 1t would be most i'm
prudent to be unprepared.
Il cannot in such circumstances
be unmindful of the fact that the
expiration of the term of the pres
ent Congress is Immediately at hand.
by constitutional limitation; and
that it would in all likelihood require
an usual length of time to assemble
and organize the Congress which is
to succeed it. feel that l ought,
in view of that fact, to obtain from
you full and immediate assurance of
the authority which / may at any
moment be called upon to exercise.
No doubt already possess that
authority without special warrant of
law, by the plain implication of my
constitutional duties and powers,
but prefer, in the present circum-
stances. not to act upon implication.
l wish to feel that the authority and
the power of the Congress are be-
hind me in whatever it may become
necessary for me to do. We are
jointly the servants of the people
and must act together and in spirit
80 far as we can divine and in
terpret it.
No one doubts what is our duty
to do. We must defend our com.
merce and the lives of our people in