The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-26

I ~ .
true spirit OF amity and good faith
that lney have themselves display
ed throughout these trying
months: and 1t Is in that 1eiier
that / request that you viii author
ixe me to supply our merchant
ships with defensive arms. II that
becomes necessary and with the
means OF using them, and to en-
ploy all other instrumentallties OF
methods that may be necessary
and adequate to protect our ships
and our people in their legitimate
and peaceful pursuits on the seas,
request also that you VIII
grant me at the same time along
with the powers ! ask, SUFFICIENT
credit to enable me to provide ade-
uuate means of protection where
they are lacking. including de-
auatse insurance against the pres
emit war risks.
have spoken of our commerce
and Of the legitimate errands OF
our people on the seas. but you
will mot be misled as to my main
thought, the thought that lies De-
Meath these phrases and gives
them dignity and weight II is no.
of material interests merely that
we are thinking. It Is rather o,
fundam entail human rights. CHIEF
of all the right o. life itself. am
thinking. not only Of the rights
OF Americans to go and come
about their proper business oy
way OF the seas. but also OF some
thing much deeper. much more
fundamenta than that. am
thinking OF those rights OF hui
manitv without which there Is no
civilization. My theme is OF the
great principles OF compassion
and OF protection which mankind
has sought to throw about human
lives, che lives of non-compatants,
the lives OF men who are peacefui-
ly at WORK keeping the Industrial
process OF the world quick and VI
tai. the lives of women and cnii-
dren and of those who supply the
labor which ministers to their
sustenance. We are speaking OF
no selfish material rights, but OF
rights which our hearts support
and whose foundation is that right
eous passion for justiceupon which
all law all structures alike OF fam
lily, OF state and OF mankind must
rest. as upon the ultimate base OF
our existence and our liberty
cannot imagine any man with
American principles at his heart
he.itating to defend these things.
10 Friend of Peace.
by Carl D. Groat. United Press S1a1
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. e6--Presfcen
Wilson today appealed to a Joint ses
ion of congress for permission Y
Errn American merchantmen. to es
ablish an armed neutrality and 10
MI and immediate assurance tnat n
nay exercise such authority as d
Ieems necessary to handling the Ges
situation.
Declaring that he Il the friend o
,eace and. means to preserve II 10
kmexica." "a long As he is able, tn
emphasized the fact TIA
% neither asks nor contemplates
,teo which might bring war througl
ne action Of this country. He dc
Jared that var could only com
,arouxa an act OF Germany
NO course OF my choosing vi
cad to war" he said War ca
ONE only by the vilful acts and al
rression Of others"
He added in almost the next sen,
nee that we must defend our com
nsrce and the lives Of our people.
He emphasized that while he ma.
low have tIilI power TO take VIVA
Ireps are necessary he desires tia
congress by It's own vote show tina
, Is behind him in whatever he ma,
.ecide is necessary.
While he asked specifically 10
,ower to arm ships, he said he coui'
,ot be any more specific: since b
AN only decide as the situation DE-
veiops, what specific thing should b.
lone.
The president also asked "a sui
icieut credit 20 enable me to pro
rics adequate means OF protecrio,
where they are lacking. intending ado
luste Insurance against the presen
xar risks"
The house galleries we're paeke.
With people who sat in tense siienc'
IS the president outlined the iuterns
ional developments since German.
ssue6 her q boat decree.
While practical results" OF tn
lew German sub-sea campaign ar
lot yet fully disclosed. the presiden
aid, and the overt act has not oc
.urred, 1T will be foolish TO den.
hat the situation is frauzht will
-sTest possibilities and dangers"
Chairman Flood Immediately Gale:
meeting OF the house foreign a.
airs COMMITTEES
TIE committee Will consider bill
vhich Flood started 10 draft 5sfo-'
he message was delivered. incoE
-o-ating ali the legislation aecessaE,
0 give The president the power b
wants
No time was set for the Meeting.
Il vas said K would be 3 70 o'cioci
'eto-e members could be gathers!
ogsLs-.
CosIition Government
WASHINGTON. FEB. ss.-Thst /;
once-tsd republican plan 10 force /;
ritual coalition government II deal
1g With the present i11erra-ionz
ituation was one OF the chief reason
Fhy President wilson decided 20 bar
Is hand through n sdd-esz ID q Join
sssion- was tie claim % p-oltnza
epGDIicaa Leaders Today
Prom o-Le- ranking -a-z5iicz,