Askov American., 1917-04-05

serving to convince us at last that
that government entertains no real
friendship for US and means to act
against our peace and security at its
convenience.
That it means to stir up enemies
against US at our very doors the in
tercepted note to the German minister
at Mexico City is eloquent evidence.
1--WE are accepting this challenge
of hostile purpose because we know
that in such government, following
such methods, we can never have .
friend; and that in the presence of its
organized power, always lying in walt
to accomplish we know not what pur.
pose, there can be no assured security
for the democratic governments OF tho
world. We are now about to accept
the gage of battle with this natural foe
to liberty and shall if necessary spend
the whole force Of the nation to check
and nullify its pretensions and power.
Fight for World Peace.
I'VE are glad now that we see the
facts with no veil of false pretense
about them, to fight thus for the ulti-
mate peace of the world and for the
liberation of its peoples. the German
peoples included for the rights of ma
tions great and small, and the privi-
lege Of men everywhere to choose
their way of life and of obedience.
"The world must be made safe for
democracy. Its peace must be planted
upon the tested foundations Of politi-
cal liberty. We have no selfish ends
to serve. We desire no conquest, no
dominion. We seek no indemnities
for ourselves, no material compensa-
tion for the sacrifices we shall freely
make. We are but one of the cham.
pions of the rights of mankind.
I'VE shall be satisfied when those
rights have been made as secure as
the faith and the freedom of nations
can make them.
In Status Quo.
"The Austro- Hungarian government
has, indeed, vowed its unqualified en-.
dorsement and acceptance Of the reck.
less and lawless submarine warfare
adopted now without disguise by the
imperial German government and it
has therefore not been possible for
this government to receive Count Tar
nowskf, the ambassador recently &C.
credited to this government by the
imperial and royal government of Aus.
ria-Hungary, but that government has
not actually engaged in warfare
against citizens Of the United States
on the seas, and take the liberty, for
the present at least, of postponing q
discussion of our relations with the
authorities at Vienna. We enter this
war only where we are clearly forced
into It because there are no other
means OF defending our rights.
All Consideration Thrown Aside.
1T will be all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents in
a high spirit of right and fairness be-
cause we act without animus, not in
enmity toward people or with the
desire to bring any injury or disad-
vantage upon them. but only in armed
opposition to an irresponsible govern
ment which has thrown aside all con-
siderations Of humanity and of right
and is running amuck.
I'VE are, let me say again. the sin.
cere friends Of the German people and
shall desire nothing so much as the
early re-establishment Of intimate re.
lations OF mutual advantage between
us--however hard it may be for them,
for the time being, to believe that
this is spoken from our hearts. We
have borne with their present gov
ernment through all these bitter
months because of that friendship
exercising a patience and forbearance
, which would otherwise have been i'm
possible. We shall, happily. still have
an opportunity to prove that friend
ship in our daily attitude and actions
toward the millions of men and women
OF German birth and native sympathy
who live amongst us and share our
life. and we shall be proud to prove
it towards all who are in fact loyal
to their neighbors and to the govern.
ment in the hour of test.
They are. most of them, as true
and as loyal Americans as il they had
never known any other fealty or al.
leg;ance.
They will be prompt to stand with
us in rebuking and restraining tia few
who may be of different mind and
purpose.
Warning to the DisIoyal.
III there should be disloyalty. 1t
will be dealt with with stern repres-
sion; but. If it lifts its head at all, it
will lift it only here and there and
without countenance except from q
lawless and malignant few.
1T is distressing and oppressive
duty. gentlemen Of the congress,
which have performed in thus ad-
dressing you. There are. it may be,
many months OF fiery trial and sacri.
fee ahead Of us. 1t is fearful thing
to lead this great. peaceful people into
war. into the most terrible and disas.
trous of all wars, civilization itself
seeming to be in the balance. But
the right is more precious than peace
and we shall fight for the things which
we have always carried nearest our