The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-04-05
TEXT OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S
WAR MESSAGE 70 CONGRESS

have called the Congress into ex-
traordinary session there are
very serious choices of policy to be
made n made Immediately. which II
was neither right nor constitutionally
permissible that i should assume the
responsibility Of making.
on the third of February last l Off
cially laid before you the
nary announcement OF the Imperial
German government that on and aft
er the first day of February. IT was
its purpose to put aside all restraints
OF lew of humanity n use its sub
marines to sink every vessel that
sought TO approach either the ports
OF Great Britain n Ireland or the
western coasts Of Europe or n of
the ports controlled by the enemies
of Germany within the Mediterran--
can. 1t has seemed to be the object
of the German submarine warfare
earlier In the war. but since April of
last year the imperial government has
somewhat restrained the commanders
OF its undersea craft, In conformity
with its promise hen given to us that
passenger boats should not be sur
ard that due warning woul be given
10 all other vessels which its subma-
rines might seek to destroy. when no
resistance was offered or escape at
tempted. n care taken that their
crews were given at least a fair
chance to save their lives in their
open boats. The precautions taken
were meagre and ~haphazard enough.
as was proved in distressing instance
E.tcr instance in tho progress OF the
cruel and unEIanly business. but a
certain degree Of restraint was OBJ
served.
Eyc-s Restriction swept Aside.
The new policy has swept every re-
striction aside. Vessels OF every kind,
whatever the.c flag. their character.
their cargo, their destination, theft err
rand. have been ruthlessly sent to the
bottom without warning and without
thought OF help OF mercy for those
on leard, tbs, yesasls Of friendly peu-
t.als along with hose o. lslligerGnfS
ing iciief 10 tRs t5reiy b&sreeeye dana and
s'tckeK people OF Belgium, though
the latter were provided with safe
conduct through the prescribed areas
S ~ shs s; Sfp@Ah sgssf p1 nnm itself and nd
Marks of IDENTITY. havs been sunk
with the same reckless lack Of com
passion or principle.
was for q lt' c,t,,o ,,.k,o %
such things would in fact
70 zone by any goverpment that had
hitherto subscribed to- the humane
praittces of civilized rations Inter-
national Jaw had its origin in the at
tempt to set up some law. which
would be respected and observed upon
the seas. where no nation had right
of dominion and where lay the free
highways of the world. By painful
stage after stage has that law been
built up with meagre enough results,
indeed, after all was accomplished
that could be accomplished. but al
way with a clear view, ct least. OF
what the heart and conscience OF
mankind demanded.
This minimum OF right the Ger
man government has swept aside un-
der the plea OF retaliation and ne
cessity. and because 1t had no weap-
ons which 1t could use at sea except
these, which II is impossible to en-
ploy. as II Is employing them. with
out throwing to the Winds all scruples
of humanity or of respect for the un-
d~erstandings that were supposed to
underlie the intercourse of the world.
/ am not now thinking of the loss
of property involved. immense and
serious as that Is. but only of the
wanton and wholesale destruction OF
the lives OF non-combatants. men. wo-
men and children. engaged in pur-
suits which have always, even in the
darkest periods OF modern history.
been deemed innocent and legitimate.
Property can be paid for: the lives
of peaceful n innocent people can
not be.
Warfare Against Mankind.
The present German submarine
warfare against commerce Is q war;
fare against mankind. 1t Ia q war
against all nations. American ships
have been sunk. Auferican lives taken.
IN wAvQ which a. hng rffrroI \. x1-.,
deeply to learn. but the ships and
people OF other neutral and friendly
nations have been sunk and over
whelmed in the waters In the same
way. There has been no discrimina-
ton. The challenge Is to ali man.
kind Each nation must decide for
itself how 1t will meet 1t. The choice
we make for ourselves must be made
with a moderation of counsel and q
temperateness OF judgment betting
our character and our motives as a
nation. We must put excited feeling
away. Our motive will not be re-
venge or the victorious assertion OF
the physical might OF the nation, but
only the vindication of right. OF HUI
man right Of which we are only a
single champion.
When I addressed the Congress on
the 26th of February, last, I thought
that II would suffice to assert our neu-
tral rights with arms, our right to use
the seas against unlawful Interference.
U right TO keep our people safe
against unlawful violence. But arm
ed neutrality. II now appears, Is inn
rrsct.cacie.s Because submarines are
In enect outlaws. when used as the
German submarines have been used
AGAINST merchant shipping. .it Is I'M
possible to defend ships against their
stacks. as the law of nations has as
stunned that merchantmen would de-
fend themselves against privateers or
cruisers. visible craft giving chase up-