The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-02-26
By Associated Preas

By Associated Prcas
washington. Feb. &c. - President
Wilson appeared before congress AZ
o'clock this afternoon and asked
for authority to place the United
states in state OF armed neutrality
To resist the German submarine mem
ace. Continued invasion Of the plain
rights OF ncutrals ON the high seas.
further sacrifices of American lives
kp nd ships. the intolcrable blockadr oi
Fhmcri-au ports-almost as cftectual
zf.s II the country wer" at war-haNc
taken the place Of a dreaded overt
act" which was expected To shock the
i world--and have forced the president
4 into the next step toward war.
President Wilson asking 70 be em-
powered to take whatever steps are
necessary which includes the arming
of ships. the conveying of merchant
men by war vessels v shat other ships
arc necessary, made Il plan. again
that he wanted peace but not at the
hIrice Of American lives and rights or
by driving the American fl1s from tho
seae.
NcwA of the sinking OF the Cunard
Diner Iacouia, with Americans abOard'
was received here as the president was
ON his way to address CONGRESS. Al
sihrities added emphasis to the pres
idcnts words,
Congress Expected 10 Concur.
Congress Is expected not only 70
ltau,hori2c the president to use the
armed forces OF the goAntry but also
90 provide money
once before IN the infancy "f the
Republic a state Of armed neutrality
IL. al ffHNHN
Violence" upon American rights in the
war between France and England but
did not result actually in wNr for
hc United States,
Whether another armed neutrality
Will mean war depends on whether
Germany rcalizes that the United
states ia ready ~ protect ,ts ncutta
lights by whatever means are neccs-
larry.
With a fdlt realization 81 the sol
,mnity of the occasion the president
ouk his action today With the odlih
confidence that congress aud the
uuntrN will tuud behind him.
The grim faced body of senators
and representatives. who less than a
month ago heard the president pro-
lounco the words which announced a
severance OF diplomatic relations with
icrmnny act which IN all the MS
Org OF first class nations always ha'
I'd To- wur---heard today In tense 81
cncc and grave attention thu word'
which carry the American repuhli'
step further Ia It's stand isain-
MiuthIoas sacrifice Of neutral right'
nd lives and a step nearer war II d
nusi be.
Asks Tor Sincw- Of War.
Il.NantI. gyRree4tnu the hnut tina
would not become ncccs-ar, to "pu
rmcd force into action" the presi
lent specifically asked Tor authorize
q supply American merchant ship
M,ith defensive arms with the mean
III using them" ana to ""mpluy AM
W,thcr instrumeutalitics' ns we'll a. -
ufficicnt credit tu enable him q
W,royido adequate means of protec
iou."
This. without being specific d
crms. was request f1r the usr of tn
Urmy and navy and the ueccssar
money tn make them effective.
Behind the rights of Americans, IN
Hiresidcnt declared. he was thinkin
HI the rights of humanity, hu
through il all be proclaimed tu tn
uyorld policy uf peace. II peace %
U,nssihlr lie discluincd thinking e.
ar tI Ni'ln NlAhA lIlihlN i'''' W. % ''''
Eeclarcd that the American ptupl
S,auted 20 exercise none but th
lights of peace.
mo course of my choosing or 4
Vheirs." hc said win lead to wa
Mar can come only by the vllful act
lnd aggressions Of others
Both Parties Approve.
From Republicans aud pcm"or'
fho have been pressing fur action
ho situation were vigorous mods
tuproIal The element ,lasscd
HaciNst heard the address 10 -iicn'
Ind when u was over. reir"ined ~"
Expressions. saying thcN were 'ihin'
bg"
y To the very end ~ the address the
kns M applause but Whom u VI
tpncludet there was storm ~ cher
b. nud hnndcappiug
/ Senator stone said administrati'
laders had not definitely decide
thether the legislation the preside
Isks would originate IN tho house