Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-04-05
Urges Congress to
Engage in War.
BEcL|N IS TO BLAME
President Asks for Half Million
Men for Army at Once.

session, said in part:
'"On the third of February, last. |
Cfficia!ly laid before you the extraor-
efinary announcement of the imperial
German government that on and after
the first day OF February it was it's
purpose to put aside all restraints of
saW OF Of humanity and use it's sub
Enarines to sink every vessel that
sought to approach either the ports of
Great Britain and Ireland or the west
asrn coasts Of Europe or any of the
aooEts controlled by the enemies of
Germany within the Mediterranean.
The new policy has swept every
restriction aside. Vessels of every
'tsind, whatever their flag, their char
7t5Ieir errand, have been ruthlessly
ssent to the bottom without warning,
s,nd without thought of help or mercy
Eor those on board, the vessels of
Sriendly neutrals along with those Of
Delligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships car
Tying relief to the sorely bereaved and
stricken people of Belgium, though the
tsafter we're provided with safe con-
'iuCl through the prescribed areas by
Ehe German government itself and
were distinguished by unmistakable
marks of identity, have been sunk with
Ghe same reckless lack of compassion
pr principle.
Warfare Against Mankind.
TtTb, ro.o r,,,, =, .,..
fare against is a warfare
against mankind. 1t is a war against
all nations. American ships have
ibeen sunk, American lives taken, in
ways. which it has stirred US very
deeply to learn of. but the ships and
people OF other neutral and friendly
nations have been sum and over.
wlrelmed in the waters in the same
way. There has been no discrimina-
zion. The challenge is to all mankind.
with a profound sense of the SOL
Samn and even tragical character of
the step | an taking and of the grave
responsibilities which it involves, but
IN amhesitating obedience to what I
deem MY constitutional duty, advise
shat the congress declare the recent
course OF the imperial German govern
rnent TO be in fact nothing less than
war against the government and peo-
tple Of the United States; that it for
Tnally accept the status of a belliger-
rent which has thus been thrust upon
It and thai it take immediate steps not
a@only 40. put the country in a more
thorough state of defense, but also to
exert ali lis powers and employ all it's
resources to bring the government of
sha German empire to terms and end
tThB war.
~FVtiaat this will involve is clear. 1t
cooperation in counsel and action
with the governments now at war with
AIer1nany. and, as incident to that, the
extension to those governments of the
Enosl. &lrHral financial credits, in order
shat. our resources may. so far as pos
sable, be added to theirs.
tNatium's Resources Are Needed.
lit VIII involve the organization and
mobilization Of all the material re-
sources OF the country to supply the
materials OF war and serve the Incl
dental needs of the nation.
cit will involve the immediate full
equipment OF the navy in all respects,
thut particularly in supplying it with
sAhe best means of dealing with the
eNlemy's submarines.
."It will involve the immediate ad-
clifton to the armed forces of the Unit
ssd States already provided for by law
Tin cease of war, at least 100000 men,
who should, in my opinion, be chosen
aapon the principle of universal liza
ssility to service, and also the authori-
Mation of subsequent additional in
ecrements Of equal force as soon as
they may be needed and can be han
died in training.
at will involve also, of course, the
granting of adequate credits to the
government. sustained, l hope, so far
aas they can %equitably be sustained, by
eehe present generation, by well con-
<,eiyed taxation. / say sustained so
Mar sas may be equitable by taxation
ioecause it seems to me that it would
toe most unwise to base the credits
which Will now be necessary entirely
Son money borrowed.
"We have no quarrel with the Ger
cman people. We have no feeling to.
wards them but one of sympathy and
Friendship. 1t was rot upon their i'm.
spuise that their government acted in
eenfering this war. 1t was not with
tthbir previous knowledge or approval
Alt Is a distressing and oppressive
ds3ty, gentlemen of the congress, which
athEve performed in thus addressing
yStE. There are, it may be. many
r1bnths OF fiery trial and sacrifice
sS1bsad of us"