Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-04
CONTINUED From First Pagel
No Grndsc 10 Pay


We, of all nations. will spend our
treasure and our blood and sacrifice
our lives without the thought of pos
! sibillty of gain. We are going to war
TO Nindicate our honor and indepen-
dence as a great nation and in defense
OF humanity. Such quarrel as we have
with Germany is not of our choosing.
IL was forced upon us and we did
much TO avoid 1t. For nearly three
years the President, Congress and the
American people have hoped to avoid
1t. But one desperate act by the I'm
perial German government has fol-
lowed another. | do not mean to say
Germany has desired war with us. ]
DO not believe that But the Imperial
government has been desperate, and
has taken desperate chances"
Neutrality Shocked
American neutrality, the senator
said, had first been shocked by the
invasion of Belgium; then the sinking
OF the Lusitania almost caused war.
lie said, however, he did not consider
that Germany had violated any pledges
she gave after the sinking of the Lusi-
tanla because she had expressly re-
served the right to revoke that pledge.
During Senator Hitchcock's speech
senator La Toilette was absent most
of the time, comforting with Senator
Gronna and others who are expected
to oppose the resolution.
Senator Hitchcock said he had
hoped armed neutrality would avert
war.
Unfortunately, the opposition of
the nnbuSter against that bill resulted
IN word going out to the world that
the ofhcial branches of the govern
ment were at loggerheads," he said.
The result has been that our rights
have been more imposed upon than
ever more American vessels have been
sunk, lives of American citizens have
been lost. Armed neutrality has passed
as an expedient against war.
Was Opposed to War
nave been bitterly opposed to
war. have used my influence to that
end. Even when 1 knew the people
were calling for war and a majority
or congress overwhelmingly was for
II, sought out the President and
begged him to remain longer, If pos
sible, under the policy of armed neu-
trality as an expedient for peace. But
the President had information in his
possession which made it impossible.
The country is ready and Congress
is ready. While the vote has not been
recorded. the decision has been made.
1t is war.
Il cannot vote against war" SEN
ator Hitchcock concluded, without
doing vain and foolish thing. 1t
would only serve to weaken my coun-
try in the face of the enemy and the
world when war is inevitable. l am
ready now to take my place with those
who will back up the President for the
honor and protection of the nation"
Promises Broken
Senator Hitchcock spoke only about
twenty minutes and was followed by
Senator Swanson, of Virginia, who said
the German government has repeat
edly and grossly violated its treaty
obligations to us and wantonly broken
solemn assurances
The issue is not peace or war"
Senator swanson continued. War al
ready has been declared upon us. The
issue is whether we shall accept war
or abject and cowardly submission"
Germany in Lowest Depths
Reciting the sinking of American
ships. German plots and outrages in
this country, Senator Swanson said the
zimmerman plot to incite Mexico
against this country reaches the low
est depths of national turpitude."
we have long suspected disposi-
ton by Germany to dispute the Mon
roe doctrine. Now is the time to teach
this misunderstanding German govern
ment that our territorial sovereignty
cannot be made a subject of war bar
gaining.
The advocates of peace now would
place upon this nation the shame of
a still greater submission. They would
endure still greater affronts and suffer
still greater submission"
Nation Not BIufIing
Reclting the warnings given to Ger
many against ruthless submarine war
fare, Senator Swanson asked if they
were mere empty boasts and bluff or
the solemn voice of resolute people"
NO" he answered. Congress will
NOT nv COua rdlV actions thDt
automatically we roar and then when
rebuned, strike with the gentle hand
of a woman" He recited the sinking
of various American vessels and Ger
manys barred zone DEGREES as
tyranny and arrogance"
I'VE have almost forgotten the
wrongs of the past in the outrages of
the present" he continued. asserting
that unless American rights are up
held, 'old glory will be sunk to low
depths of shame and humiliation"
Nothing Else to Do
What else can Germany do to wage
war against u.s." he demanded. Arm
ed neutrality would now be cowardly
makeshift We cannot avoid war.
When the war-mad autocracy that
now rules Germany has been chastened
or overthrown, ties of friendship now
severed will be reunited. The clock of
national patriotism now strikes for
each of us in our hour of work and
responsibility"
Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
of the Foreign Relations Committee,
said:
mo one is more conscious than I
that this is a moment for action and
not for debate" said Mr.. Lodge. But
wish briefly to state why l support
it with the greatest earnestness of
which l am capable.
u, 1901 49,,
trusted to Congress by the Constitution
is the authority to declare war and
TFnRlRa