The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-12-14
We Are Seeking Word Peace.

l was thinking, ana am Lnlnklng now
of Austria herself, among the rest, as
well as of Serbia and of Poland JUS
tice and equality of rights can be had
only at great price. We are seeking
permanent, not temporary, founda-
tons for the peace of the world and
must seek them candidly and fear
lessly. AS always, the right will prove
to be the expedient.
What shall we do then to push this
great war of freedom and justice to
it's righteous conclusion? We must
clear away with a thorough hand all
impediments to success and we must
make every adjustment Of law that will
facilitate the full and free use of our
whole capacity and force as a fight
ing unit.
Declare War Immediately On Austria
Hungary.
One very embarrassing obstacle that
stands in our way is that we are at
war with Germany, but not with her
allies. therefore very earnestly
recommend that the Congress imme-
diately declare the United States in
state of war with Austria-Hungary.
Does itseem strange to you that this
should be the conclusion of the argu-
ment l have just addressed to you?
1t is not. It Is, in fact, the inevitable
logic of what l have said. Austria
Hungary is for the time being not her
own mistress, but simply the vassal
of the German Government. We must
face the facts as they are and act upon
them without sentiment in this stern
business. The Government of Aus
tria-Hungary is not acting upon its own
initiative or in response to the wishes
and feelings of it's own peoples, but
as the instrument OF another nation.
turkey and Bulgaria Also Germany's
Tools"
We must meet it's force with our
own and regard the Central Powers as
but one. The war can be successfully
conducted in no other way. The same
logic would lead also to a declaration
of war against Turkey and Bulgaria.
They also are the tools of Germany.
But they are mere tools and do not yet
stand in the direct path of our neces-
sary action.
We shall go wherever the neces-
stiles of this war carry us, but it seems
to me that we should go only where
immediate and practical considerations
lead us, and not heed any others.
The financial and military measures
which must be adopted will suggest
themselves as the war and its under
takings develop, but / will take the
liberty of proposing to you certain
other acts of legislation which seems
to me to be needed for the support of
the war and for the release of our
whole force and energy.
1t will be necessary to extend in GER
tain particulars the legislation of the
last session with regard to alien
enemies; and also necessary, believe.
to create very definite and particular
control over the entrance and depar-
ture OF all persons into and from the
United States.
To Restrain Female AS Well AS Male
Enemies.
Legislation should be enacted defn-
ing as a criminal offense every wilful
violation of the Presidential proclama-
ton relating to alien enemies promul-
gated under Section 4067 of the Re-
vised Statutes and providing appro-
pirate punishment; and women as well
as men should be included under the
terms of the acts placing restraints
upon alien enemies. 1t is likely that
as time goes on many alien enemies
will be willing to be fed and housed at
the expense of the Government in the
detention camps and it would be the
purpose of the legislation have sug-
gested to confine offenders among them
in penitentiaries and other similar in
stitutions where they could be made
to work as other criminals do.