The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-02-26

interpret H.
NO one doubts what II N our
duty 10 do. We must defend our
commerce and the lives OF our pco-
pie In the midst OF the present Try
ing circumstances with discretion.
but with clear and steadfast pur'
pose. Only the method and the OK
tcnt remain TO be chosen. upon the
occasion. II occasion should. IN.
deed. arlfe. Since IL has unhappily
proved impossible 20 safeguard our
neutral rights by diplomatic means
against the unwarranted infringe.
mentH they are suffering at the
hands of Germany, there may be no
recourse but TO armed neutrality.
which We shall know how to main.
tain. and FOR which there IL Abun.
dart American precedent.
Hopes NostiIlties unneeesssry
1t u dcyoutiy TO be hoped tina,
Il viii not be necessary TO put
armed forces anywhere into nc.
ton. The American people do not
desire ~. and our desire L. not dit.
ferent from theirs. am sure that
they will understand the spirit in
which am nov acting. the purpose
hold nearest my heart and would
wish TO exhibit in everything I do.
Il am anxious that the people OF
the nations at war also should
understand and not mistrust us. |
hope that need give no further
proofs and assurances than | have
already given turnout nearly three
years Of anxious patience. that
am the friend OF peace and mean
20 preserve It for America as long
as | am able
Doesnt Seek War
Il am not nov proposing or con
templating war or any steps that
lead to Il. ! merely request that
you will accord me-. by your own
vote and definite bestoval. the
means and the authority TO safe.
guard in practice the right OF
great people who are at peace and
who are DESTROYS OF exercising
none bu, the rights OF peace to fol.
low the pursuits OF peace in quiet.
ness and good will-rights recog.
nixcd time out OF mind by all the
civilized nations OF tho world. No
course of my choosing or OF theirs
VIII lead 10 war. War can come
only by the wiifui acts and aggrcs.
sion OF others.
You will understand why can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts OF action now and must ask
for your supporting authority in
1 tho most general terms The form
In which action may become neccs.
sary cannot yet be forcseen.
Believe People Trust Him
i believe that the people viii 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 dis.
played turnout these trying months.
and II ~ In that belief that re-
quest that you will authorize me TO
supply our merchant ships with dc.
| fensive arms. II that becomes neces.
sary. and with the means OF using
them. and to employ all other in.
strumentalitics or methods that
may be necessary and adequate to
protect our ships and our people in
their legitimate and peaceful pur.
suits on the high seas.
Il request also that you will
grant me. at the same time. along
with tho powers ask, a sufficient
credit to enable mo to provide ade.
quate means OF protection whore
they are lacking, including AIDE.
| quate insurance against the pres.
ent war risks.
! Thinks Of Fundamental Riuhts
Il have spoken OF our commerce
and OF the legitimate errands OF
our people on the seas. but YOU will
not be mlsled as to my main
thought, the thought that lies be.
meath these phrases and gives them
dignity and weight. II is not of
material interests merely that We
arc thinking. II is rather of funda.
mental human rights. chief OF
which is the right OF life itself. |
am thinking not only of the rights
OF Americans to go and come about
their proper business by way OF the
sea. but also OF something much
deeper. much more fundamental
than that. | am thinking OF those
rights OF humanity without which
there is no civilization.
Things All Americans Defend
my theme is of the great princi.
pies of compassion and protection.
which mankind has sought to throw
about human lives. the lives of non.
combatants, the lives of men who
are peacefully at work keeping tho
industrial processes of the world
quick and vital; the lives of women
and children and OF those who sun.
ply the labor which ministers TO
their sustenance.
I'VE are speaking OF no selfish
rights. but rights which our hearts
support and whose foundation is
that righteous passion for Justice
upon which all law, all structures
alike OF family. of mankind. must
rest as upon the ultimate base of
our existence and our liberty.
cannot imagine any man with Amer.
can principles at his heart hest.
tsting TO defend these things"