Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-03
4 SKIS for Declaration That
State Of War Exists
Bet,Oeen u. S.
and Germany.

WASIiINGTON. April o-rrcsidcnt
Wilson i'm his address before "a joint
session Of Congress tonight asking
FOR declaration thnt a state of war
exists between tho United states aud
Germany, spoke as follows:
II have called the Congress into cx-
traordinary session because there are
serious. very serious, choices of policy
to be made. and made immediatcly
which il was neither right nor consti-
tuiionaliy permissible that should
assume the responsibility OF making
ON the Sd OF February last Off
cially laid before YOU the extraordinary
announcement Of the imperial German
government that on and after the first
day OF February 1t was it's purpose to
put aside all restraints Of law or OF
humanity and use its submarines to
sink every vessel that sought to ap-
proach either the ports of Great Brit
ain and ireland OF the western coasts
Of Europe or any OF the ports con-
trolled by the enemies Of Germany
within the Mediterranean That had
seemed to he the object OF the German
submarine warfare earlier in the war
hut since April Of las; year the inn
pcrial government had somewhat re-
strained the commanders of ills under
sea craft in conformity with it's prom
ise then given TO us that passenger
boats should not be sunk, and that
duo warning would he given to all
other vessels which it's submarines
might seek TO destroy when no resist
ance was offered or escape attcmptcd
and care taken that their crews were
given at least n fair chance to save
their lives in their open hoats The
precautions taken We're mcaEcr and
ha phaHard enough. as WAS proved in
distressing instance after instance in
the progress of the cruel and unmanly-
business, but certain degree of re-
straint was observed The new policy
has swept every restriction aside YES
sells of every kind, whatever their flag,
their character, their cargo. their dcsti-
nation. their crrand. have been ruth.
lcsaly sent To the bottom without
warning and without thought of heIp
or mercy for those on board the yes
sells OF friendly ncutrals along with
those or bclliGcrcuIs. Even hospital
ships and ships carrying relief to the
sorcly hcreavcd and stricken people of
Belgium. though tho latter were pro-
vidcd with safe conduct through tn.
prescribed areas by inc German gov.
crnmcnt itself. and were distinguished
by unmistakable marks OF identity.
have been sunk with the same rcck less
lack Of compassion or of principle
GERMANY SWEEPS ASIDE
MINIMUM OF RIGHT
81 was for Il little while unable to
believe that such things would in fact
bc done 10y any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane prac-
ticcs Of civilized nations. lntcrna-
tional law had its origin in the attempt
To set up some law which would be
where no nation had right of dumin on
and where lay the free highways Of
the world. By painful stage after
stage has that law been built up with
mc:igcr enough results, indeed. after
nil was accomplished that could be ac-
compliahcd. but always with Il clear
view at least of what the heart aud
This minimum OF right tho German
government has swept aside under the
plea OF retaliation and necessity, ani
because il had no weapons which IL
could use at sea except those which
il is impossible to employ as II is cm-
ploying them without throwing To the
winds all scruplcs Of humanity or Of
were supposed to undcrlic the inter
course of tho world.
81 am not now thinking OF the loss