The Clayton news. (Clayton, N.M.) 19??-1954, 1917-04-07


Washington, April S.--War against
Prussian autocracy was urged on con-
gress last night by President Wilson
in his epoch making address. Asking
that the Legislative body declare that
a state of war exists between the Ger
man government and the United States
of America, the president declared that
the world must be made safe for de-
mocracy.
He made 1t clear that the war the
United States was about to embark in
was not a war of conquest, but one
for the rights of mankind. He pointed
to the democratization of Russia and
declared the new Russia was mt
partner for league of honor"
He declared that the war was d.
rected against the Prussian autooracy
and not against the German people.
We are the sincere friends of the
German people" said the president.
Following is the presidents speech:
The president spoke slowly at frst,
then faster than usual. His voice
was clear and grew stronger as he
proceeded.
President Wilson spoke as follows:
81 have called the congress into ex-
traordinary session because there are
serious. very serious, choices of policy
TO be made, and made Immediately,
which 1t was neither right nor consti-
tutionally permissible that should
assume the responsibility of making.
on the third of February last. l Of
hcially laid before you the extraordin-
AIRY announcement of the imperial Ger
man government that on and after the
first day of February, it was~its pur-
pose to put aside all restraints OF law
or of humanity and use it's submarines
to sink every vessel that sought to ap-
proach either the ports of Great Brit
ian and Ireland or the western coasts
of Europe or any of the ports controll-
ed by the enemies of Germany within
the Mediterranean.
showed Some Restraint
"That has seemed to be the object
of German submarine warfare earlier
in the war. but since April of last yeaE
the imperial government had somewhat
restrained the commanders OF its un-
dersea craft in conformity with Its
promise then given to us that passen-
ger boats should not be sunk, ana tha'
due warning would be given to all 9TH
er vessels which its submarines might
seek to destroy, when no resistance
WAS OHefeu OF aNNChAPh~Nf eN'AN
care taken that their crews were giver
at least a fair chance to save their llNes
In their own boats.
THE precaution taken were meagel
and haphazard enough, as was proved
In distressing instance after instance
in the progress of the cruel and un'
manly business, but a certain degree
of restraint was observed.
sweep Aside All Restrictions
THE new policy has swept every
restriction aside. Vessels OF eyer!
kind. whatever their flag. their charact
er, their cargo. their destination thel
errand. have been ruthlessly sent 4
the bottom without warning and with
out thought of help or mercy for thos
on hoard, the vessel of friendly neu
trails along with those of beLigerents
Even hospital ships and ships carry
ing relief to the sorely bereaved ant
stricken people of Belgium, tho tn
later were provided with safe conduc
tbru the prescribed areas by the Ger
man government itself. and were dis
tinRuished by unmistakable marks
identity have been sunk with the sam
reckless lack of compassion or prin
ciple.
.T was for "A little while unable I
believe that such things would In fac
be done by any government that ha
hitherto subscribed to the human
practices of civilized nations. Inter
national law had its origin In the at
tempt to set up some law which Woul
he respected and observed upon tn
seas. where no nation has right OF DC
minion and where lay the free high
ways Of the world. BY painful stag
after stage has that law been built u
with meager enough results. indee'
after all was accomplished that coul
\ be accomplished. but always with
clear View. at least OF what the heal
aud conscience OF mankind demands
All Right Swept Aside
This minimum of right the Gei me
government has swept aside under Il
plea Of relatiRtion and necessity, al
because II had no weapons which
10 impossible 20 employ as 1t 10 emplo!
ing them without throwing to Il
winds all Bcruplte of humanity or
respect for the Understandings thl
were supposed to uaderlie the inte