Middletown transcript., 1917-03-03

prefer, In the present circumstances,
not to act upon general implication.
l wish to feel that the authority and
the power of the Congress are behind
me in whatever it may become neces-
sary for me to do. We are jointly the
servants of the people and must act
together and in their spirit so far as
we can divine and interpret it.
mo one doubts that it is our duty
to do so. We must defend our COM
merce and the lives of our people in
the midst of the present trying cir.
cumstances with discretion, but with
clear and steadfast purpose.
Armed Neutrality.
"Only the method and the extent re-
main to be chosen, upon the occasion,
if occasion should indeed arise. Since
it has unhappily proved impossible to
safeguard our neutral rights by diplo-
matte means against the unwarranted
infringements they are suffering at
the hands of Germany there may be
no recourse but to armed neutrality,
which we shall know how to maintain
and for which there is abundant
American precedent.
"It is devoutely to be hoped that it
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The Ameri-
can people do not desire it and our
desire is not different from theirs. l
am sure that they will understand the
spirit in which l am now acting, the
purpose l hold nearest my heart and
would wish to exhibit in everything |
do. l am anxious that the people Of
the nations at war also should under
stand and not mistrust us. 1 hope that
l need give no further proofs and as
surances that l have already given
throughout nearly three years of anxi-
GUS patience that l am the friend of
peace and mean to preserve it for
America so long as 1 am able.
Not Proposing War.
Il am not now proposing or con-
templating war or any steps that need
lead to it. 1 merely request that you
will accord me by your own vote and
definite bestowal the means and the
authority to safeguard in practice the
right of a great people, who are at
peace and who are desirous Of exercis-
ing none but the rights Of peace, to fol-
low the pursuits Of peace In quietness
and good wil1-rights recognized time
out of mind by all the civilized nations
Of the world. No course Of my choos-
ing or of theirs will lead to war.
War can come only by the wilful acts
and aggressions Of others.
You will understand why I can
make no definite proposal or forecasts
of action now and must ask for your
supporting authority In the most gen
eral terms The form in which action
may become necessary cannot yet be
foreseen.
Il believe that the people will be
willing to trust me to act with re-
straint, with prudence and in the true
spirit Of amity and good faith that
they have themselves displayed
throughout these trying months, and
it is in that belief that 1 request that
you will authorize me to supply our
merchant ships with defensive arms,
should that become necessary, and
with the means Of using them, and to
employ any other instrumentalities or
methods that may be necessary and
adequate to protect our ships and our
| people in their legitimate and peaceful
! pursuits on the seas. 1 request also
that you will grant me at the same
time, along with the powers I ask, a
sufficient credit to enable me to provide
| adequate means of protection where
they are lacking, including adequate
| insurance against the present war
risks.
II have spoken of our commerce
and Of the legitimate errands Of our
people on the seas, but you will not
be misled as to my main thought, the
thought that lies beneath these phrases
and gives them dignity and weight II
is not Of material interest merely that
We are thinking. It is, rather Of funda
mental human rights, chief Of all the
right of life itself. l am thinking, not
only of the rights Of Americans to &c
and come about their proper business
by way Of the sea, but also of some
thing much deeper, much more funda
mental than that.
II am thinking Of those rights oi
humanity without which there is ne
civilization. My theme is Of those
great principles Of compassion and oi
protection which mankind has sought
to throw about human lives, the lives
of non-combatants, the lives Of mer
who are peacefully at work keeping
the industrial processes Of the world
quick and vital, the lives Of womer
and children and Of those who supply
the labor which ministers to their sus
tenance
No Selfish Material Rights.
1--WE are speaking of no selfish ma
terial rights, but Of rights which ou1
hearts support and whose foundation
is that righteous passion for justice
upon which all law, all structure.
alike Of family, of state, and of man
kind must rest as upon the ultimate
base Of our existence and our liberty
cannot imagine any man will
American principles at his heart hes
itating to defend these things"
shot from a Turkish rife exploded 1