The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-04-05
DECLARATION
OF WAR WITH
THE GERMANS
President Asks For II In
Message TO Congress
RESTRAINTS OF LAW
AND OF HUMANITY

Nave Been Cast Aside by Adoption Of
Rvthiess Submarine wsrfsre-Es
seutiye Amazed 1t indiscriminate
Sinking OF American Ships and
Taking OF American Lives. ~ We'll
- Those Of Other Neutrsis-uroes
Raising Of Army Of Hail . Million
Men-Aos,Iiisies viii Involve Prae
tieaI Co. operation With Govern.
men,s Now at War With Germany.
Inetudino Liberal Financial Credits
Washington, April 3.-President
Wilson last night asked congress TO
Declare a state OF war existing be-
tween the United States and Ger
many.
While the news OF the summarizing
of the steamer Aztee-the iirst
American armed ship to sail into the
var zone was being told from mouth
20 mouth In the capital the president.
appearing before the house and sen :
ate in Joint session. asked congress
10 recognize and deal with Germany's
warfare on America.
The president made II clear that
no action was being taken against
the Austrian government and the
other nations allied with Germany
Text Of the Message
The presidents address follows:
Gentlemen Of the congress-
have called the congress into ex-
tYaordinary session because there are
serious. very serious. choices OF pol
icy to be made, and Immediately
which II was neither right nor con
stitutionally permissible that ! should
assume the responsibility OF making.
On Feb. last | officially laid be-
fore you the extraordinary announce
ment OF the imperial government that
on and after the first day OF February
II was It's purpose to put aside all re-
straints OF law or OF humanity and
use Its submarines TO sink every yes
eel that sought TO approach either
the ports of Great Britain and Ire
land or the western coasts OF Europe,
or any OF the ports controlled by the
enemies OF Germany within the Medi
terranean.
That had seemed to be the object
OF the German submarine warfare
earlier In the war, but since April OF
last year the imperial government
had somewhat restrained the COM
manders OF its undersea craft in con-
formity with its promise then given
TO us that passenger boats should
not be sunk and that due warning
would be given to all other vessels
which its submarines might seek to
destroy when no resistance was Of
fered or escape attempted. and care
taken that their crews were given at
least fair chance to save their lives
In their open boats
Restrictions Swept Aside
The precautions taken were meagre
and haphazard enough as was proved
IN distressing instance after instance
In the progress OF the cruel and I'M
manly business. but a certain degree
OF restraint was observed. The new
policy has swept every restriction
aside. Vessels OF every kind, what
ever their flag. their character, their
cargo. their destination. their errand,
have been ruthlessly sent TO the bot
tom without warning and without
thought OF help or mercy for those on
board. the vessels OF friendly neu-
trails along with those Of belligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships car
rying relief to the sorely bereaved |
and stricken people OF Belgium. |
though the latter were provided with |
safe conduct through the prescribed
areas by the German government IT.
self and were distinguished by un-
marks OF identity. have
been sunk with the same reckless
lack OF compassion or OF principle.
was for a little while unable to
believe that such things would In fact
be done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices OF civilized nations.
international Law Violated
international law had its origin In
The attempt 10 set up some law which
would be respected and observed upon
The seas. where no nation has right
pf dominion and where lay the free
highways Of the world
BY painful stage after stage has
hat Law been built up. with meagre
enough results. indeed. after all was
that could be accom-.
plished. but always with a clear view
II least, OF wha, the heart and con
,cience OF mankind demanded. This
minimum az night the German gov
srnment has swept aside under the
plea OF retaliation and necessity. and
because 1, had no weapons which II