The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-03-02

| people are spared II VIII be because
OF fortunate circumstances or be-
cause out OF the instructions under
which those commanders are acting.
1T would be foolish To deny that
the situation is fraught with the
/ grayest possibilities and dangers. No
| Thoughtful man can fail 10 see that
the necessity for definite action may
come at any time. II We are in fact,
! and not in words. merely 10 defend
our elementary rights as neutral
nation. II would be most imprudent
10 be unprepared.
Regarding Congress.
! Il cannot in such circumstances be
unmindful of the fact that the eX-
piration OF the term OF the present
| Congress is Immediately at hand by
| constitutional limitation. and that il
would in all likelihood require an un-
usual length OF time 10 assemble and
organize the Congress- which is 10
! succeed IL.
Il feel that | ought. in view OF that
! fact. 10 obtain from YOU full and i'm
mediate assurance of the authority
which | may need at any moment to
exercise
! No doubt | already possess that
/ authority without special warrant OF
law by the plain implication OF my
/ constitutional duties and powers. but
| | prefer in the present circumstances
not TO act upon general implication
| wish TO feel that the authority and
| the power OF the Congress are be
! hind me in whatever il may become
necessary for me TO do.
I'VE ara Jointly the servants to
| the people. and must act together
and in their spirit so far as We can
divine and interpret ii.
No one doubts that IL is our duty
! TO do. We must defend our com
merce and the lives of our people in
the midst OF the present trying cir
cumstances with discretion, but with
clear and steadfast purpose. Only
! tile method and the extent remain TO
be chosen, upon the occasion. II oc-
casion should indeed arise.
"Since il has unhappily proved I'm
possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infrinsements they
are suffering at the hands Of Ger
many, there may be no recourse but
to armed neutrality, which we shall
there Is abundant American preced.
ent.
War Not Wanted.
1T is devotedly TO be hoped that II
will not be necessary TO put armed
forces anywhere into action The
American people do not desire It. and
| our desire is not different from
theirs. | am sure that they will un-
| derstand the spirit in which | am
now acting, the purpose hold near
est my heart and would wish to ex-
| hibit in everything | did. am
anxious that. the people of the ma
tions at war also should understand
and not mistrust us.
i hope that | need give no further
proofs and assurances than | have
already given throughout nearly three
years Of anxious patience that | am
the friend OF peace and mean TO pre-
serve 1t for America so long as |
am able
~ am not now proposing or con
templating war or any steps that
may lead to IL. merely request that
you will accord me by your own vote
and definite bestowaI the means and
the authority to safeguard In practice
the right Of a great people who are
at peace and who are desirous OF
exercising none but the riuhts of
peace to follow the pursuit OF peace
in quletness and good-will-riahts
recognized time out Of mind by all
the civilized nations Of the world
No course OF my choosing or OF
sheirs will lead to war. War can
come only by the wilful acts and ag-
gressions Of others.
You will understand why u can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts or action now. and must ask
for your supporting authority in the
most general terms The form In
which action may become necessary
cannot yet be foreseen | believe
that the people will be willing 10
trust me to act with restraint. with
prudence. and in the true spirit OF
amity and good faith that they have
themselves displayed throughout
these trying months and il is in that
belief that ! request that you will
authorize me to supply our merchant
ships with defensive arms should
that become necessary and with tho
means OF using them. and TO employ
any ocner instrumeatallties or meth.
DDS that may be necessary and ade.
quate to protect our ships, and our
people In their legitimate and gen
eral pursuits on the seas
Il request also that you will grant
me at the same time, along with the
powers | ask. a sufficient credit TO
enable me 10 provide adequate means
Of protection where they are lacking.
including adequate insurance against
the present war risks.
II have spoken OF our commerce
and of the legitimate errands OF our
people on the seas, but you will not
be misled as to my main thought,
the thought that lies beneath these
phrases and gives them dignity and
weight. IL is not OF material inter
est merely that we are thinking.
1T is rather. OF fundamental hu-
man rights, chief OF all the right OF
life itself. ! am thinking not only
or the rights OF Americans 20 20 and
come about their proper business by
way OF the sea, but also OF something
much deeper. much more fundament-
al than that.
Rights OF Humanity.
II am thinking OF those rights OF
humanity, without which there is no