Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-01
PRESIDENT ASKS FOR
FREE HAND TO DEAL
WITH U-BOAT MENACE

carrying foodstuffs consigned to a London
firm. was essentially like the case of the
Frye in which 1t will be recalled the Gee"
man government admitted liability for
damages and the lives Of the crew. as in
this case Of the Frye, were safeguarded
with reasonable care.
The case Of the Law, which was car
rying lemon-box slaves to Palermo. dis
closed ruthlessness Of methods which
deserves grave condemnation but was ac-
companied by no circumstances when
might not have been expected at any timc
in connection with the use of the eubma-
rine against merchantmen as the German
government has used II.
"Tn sum therefore, tho situation Wo
find ourselves In with regard TO the actual
conduct Of the German submarine war
fare against commerce and its erect
upon our own ships and people is substar-
TALLY the same that IL was when I ad-
dressed you on the third Of February.
except for the tying up Of our shipping in
our own ports because Of the unwilling
ness Of our ship owners to risk thei, ves-
sells at sea without insurance or adequate
protection. and the very serious conges-
ton Of our commerce which has resulted.
a congestion which Is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day.
NO OVERT ACT COMMITTED
This in itself might presently ac-
comp!ish in effect what the new Ger
man submarine orders were meant to
accomplish so far as we are concerned.
We can only say therefore, that the
overt act which I have ventured to
hope the German commanders would
in fact avoid has not occurred.
"But while this q haoni1v tr,1e ~
must he admitted that there have been
certain additional indications and en-
pressions of purpose on the part of the
German press and authorities. which
have Increased rather than lessened
the impression that If our ships and
our people are spared it will be be-
cause of fortunate circumstances or
because the commanders of German
submarines which they may happen to
encounter exercise and unexpected dis
erection and restraint rather than be-
cause of instruction those commanders
are acting under.
MUST BE PREPARED.
1T would be foolish to deny that the
situation is fraught with the gravest
possibilities and dangers. No thought
full man can fail to see that the neces-
sity for definite action may come at
any time. If we are in fact and not in
word. merely, to defend our elementary
rights as a neutral nation. 1T would
be most imprudent to be unprepared.
II cannot in such circumstances be
unmindful Of the fact that the expira-
ton of the term of the present Con-
gress is Immediately at hand by con-
stitutional limitations: and that it
would in all Likelihood require an un-
usual length of time to assemble and
organize the congress. which is to sue
coed 1t.
WANTS FREE HAND.
Il feel that l ought in view Of that
! fact to obtain from you full and imme-
date assurance of the authority which
l may need at any moment to exercise
NO doubt already possess that au-
! thrifty without special warrant of law
by the plain implication of my consti-
tutional duties and powers; but pre-
fer in the present circumstances not
/ to act upon general implication.
| wish to feel that the authority and the
power of the Congress are behind me
in whatever it may become necessary
for me to co. We are jointly the serv-
ants of the people and must act togeth'
| err and in their spirit. SO far as we can
definitely interpret it,
I'VE must defend our commerce and
the lives of our people in the midst OF
! the present trying circumstances, with
| discretion. but with clear and stead
| fast purpose. Only the method and
the extent remain to be chosen upon
| the occasion il occasion should indeed
arise.
Since it has unhappily proved i'm
! possible to safeguard our neutra
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infringement. they
/, are suffering at the hand Of Germany
there may be no recourse but to armed
neutrality and for which there is abun'
dant American precedent.
HOPES FOR THE BEST.
1T is devoutly to be hoped that it wi!
not be necessary to put armed forces any
! where into action. The American people
do not desire II and our desire Is not dif
| ferent from theirs ! am sure that the,
| will understand the spirit in which l an
| now acting, the purpose hold nearest my
heart and would wish to exhibit in every
thing l do. l am anxious that the peopi-
| II the nations at war also should under
stand and not mistrust me.
Il hope that I need give no furthe
| roof and assurance than l have alread,
! -yen throughout nearly three years q
] nX;ouS patience that | am the friend o
reace and mean to preserve it for Amer
ica so long as ] am able.
II am not now proposing or con.emp!at
ing war or any step that need lead to IL
merely request that you will accord m
by your own vote and definite bostowa
the means and the authority to safeguart
In practice the right oc great people VIII
are at peace and who are DESTROYS of eN
ercising none but the rights of peace. Il
follow the pursuit OF peace in quietncs
and good will-rights recognized, tmc ON
Of mind by all the civilized nations of tn
world. No course OF my choosing {
theirs will lead to war. War can com
only by the wiiful act and aggression
Of others.
ARM SHIPS If NECESSARY.
You will understand then why ! ca
make no definite proposals or forecast @
action now and must ask for your sup
porting authority in the most genera
terms. The form In which action may be
come necessary cannot yet be foreseer
I believe tho people will be willing I
trust me to act with restraint. wit
prudence and with the true spirit O
amty and good faith that they them
selves displayed throughout these tryin
months. and it is In that belief l reques
you will authorize me to supply our mel
chant ships with defensive arms shout
that become necessary and with tn
means of using them and to employ an
| other instrumentalities or methods tina
may be necessary and adequate to pre-
: tcct our ships and our people in thei
legitimate and peaceful pursuits on tn