The Dickinson press., 1917-03-03
POWER
to- Defend
SHIPPING
President Again Be-
fore Congress-.
PLANS NOT ANNOUNCED
Pleads for Authority to Take
Such Steps as He May
Deem Necessary.
PLANS NOT ANNOUNCED

Washington, Feb. 2~7.-President
Wilson appeared before a joint $685.
sion Of congress and asked for au-
thority to place the United States in
a state of armed neutrality" to re.
sist the German submarine menace.
Continued invasion Of the plain
rights Of neutrals on the high seas,
further sacrifices of American lives
and ships, the in~tolerable blockade Of
American commerce-almost as effect
ual as If tho country were at war
have taken the place of a dreaded
covert act" which was expected to
shock the world-and have forced the
president into the next step toward
war.
President Wilson in asking to be
empowered to take whatever steps
are necessary, which includes the arm
ing Of ships, the conveying Of mer-
ehantmen by war vessels or what 9TH
er steps are necessary, made it plain
again that he wanted peace, but not
at the price Of American lives and
rights or by driving the American flag
from the seas.
Congress is expected not only to
authorize the president to Use the
armed forces of the country but also
to provide money.
Is Not Contemplating War.
1T is devoutly to be hoped" said
the president at one point, that it
will not be necessary to put armed
forces anywhere into action. I am
not now preparing Or contemplating
or any steps that need lead to it.
War a come only by the willful acts
and aggressions of others.
Continuing his remarks the presi.
dent said: .4srssxz
81 merely request that you will &C.
cord me by your own vote and def
mite bestowal the means and the au-
thority to safeguard in practice the
rights of a great people who are at
peace and who are DESTROYS of exer-
cising none but the rights of peace,
to follow the pursuit of peace in quiet
ness and good will-rights recognized
time out of mind by all the civilized
nations of the world. No course Of
my choosing or of theirs will lead to
q =
"War a come only by the willful
acts and aggressions Of others.
"You will understand why 1 can
make no definite proposals or FORE
casts Of action now, and must ask
for your supporting authority in the
most general terms.
1.-THE form in which action may be-
come necessary cannot yet be fore
seen.
Hopes Public Will Trust Him.
II believe that the people will be
willing to trust me to act with re-
straint, with prudence, and in the true
spirit qfGamity and jgood faith that
they have themselves Displayed
throughout these trying months; and
It is in that belief that I request that
you will authorize me to supply our
sAlpS Will arms
should that become necessary, and
with the means of using them, and to
employ any other instrumentalitfes or
methods that may be necessary and
adequate to protect u ships, and our
people, in their legitimate and peace
full pursuits On the seas. z
Il request, also, that you will grant
at the same time, along with the
powers I ask, a sufficient credit to en-
ableAme to provide adequate means Of
protection where they r lacking, in
Guiding adequate insurance against
the present war risks.
II 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, NOR fundamental.
IT sm thinking of those rights Of
Humanity without which there is no
oivk1i1afion