The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-26
United States Takes Another Step Toward War;
Wilson Asked Congress Today for Armed Neutrality"
WILSON'S
MESSAGE
tRy Associated Press.l

Washington, Feb. 26.--In his adj
dress to congress today President Will
son spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the congress: ] have
again asked the privilege of address,
ing, you because we are moving
through critical times during which 1t
seems to me to be my duty to keep in
close tuoch with the houses OF con-
gress so that neither counsel nor ac-
ton shall run at cross purposes be-
tween us.
"on the third day of February I
officially informed you of the sudden
and unexpected action of the imperial
German government in declaring its
intention to disregard the promises it
had made to this government in April
last and undertake immediate sub
marine operations against all COM
merce whether OF belligerents. or of
neutrals, that should seek to approach
Great Britain and Ireland. the Atlantic
coast of Europe or the harbors of the
eastern Mediterranean and to conduct
those operations without regard to the
established restrictions Of internation-
al practice, without regard to any
considerations Of humanity whatever
which might interfere with their
objects. The policy was forthwith put
into practice. 1t has now been in ac-
tive execution for nearly four weeks.
'Tts practical results are not fully
disclosed. The commerce Of other neu-
trail nations is suffering severely, but
not, perhaps, very much more severely
than 1t was already suffering before
the first OF February. when the new
policy of the imperial government was
put into operation. We have asked
the cooperation of the other neutral
governments to prevent these depreda-
tions. but ! fear none Of them has
though it wise to join us in any COM
mon course of action. Our own COM
merce has suffered. is suffering, rather
in apprehension than in fact, rather
because so many of our ships are
timidly keeping to their home ports
than because American ships have
been sunk.
1.-TWO American vessels have been
sunk. the Housatonic and the Lyman
M. Law. The case Of the Housatonic,
which was carrying foodstuffs con-
signed to a London firm, was es-
sentially like the case Of the Frye in
which it will be recalled the German
| government admitted it's liability for
damages, and the lives Of the crew,
as in the case of the Frye. were safe
guarded with reasonable care.
"TlaS case Of the Law. which was
carrying lemon box slaves to Palermo,
disclosed q ruthlessness Of method
which deserves great condemnation,
but was accompanied by no circum-
stances which might not have been
expected at any time in conjunction
with the use Of the submarine against
merchantmen as the German govern
ment has used it.
I'm sum, therefore. the situation we
find ourselves in with regard to the
actual conduct Of the German sub
marine warfare against commerce ana
it's effect upon our own ships and peo-
pie is substantially the same that IL
was when / addressed you on the third
of February, except for the tying up
of our shipping in our own ports be-
cause of the unwillingness OF our ship
owners to risk their vessels at sea
without insurance or adequate protec-
ton and the very serious congestion OF
our commerce which has resulted,
congestion which is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day.
"This in itself might presently ac-
complish, in effect, what the new Ger
man submarine orders were meant to
accomplish. SO far as we are concern
ed.
"You will understand why can
make no definite proposals or forecasts
of action now and must ask for your
supporting authority in the most gen.
eral terms. The form in which action
may become necessary cannot yet be
foreseen. I believe that the people will
be willing to trust me to act with re-
straint, with prudence, and in true
spirit of amity and good faith that they
have themselves displayed throughout
these trying months; and 1t is in that
belief that request that you will au-
thorize me to supply our merchant
ships with defensive arms should that
become necessary, and with means or
using them, and to employ any other
or metahods that may
be necessary and adequate to protect
our ships, and our people in their legit-
innate and peaceful pursuits on seas.
'T request also that you will grant
me at the same time, along with the
powers / ask, sufficient credit to enable
me to provide adequate means or pro-
lection where they are lacking, includ-
ing adequate insurance against present
war risks.
At have spoken OF our commerce and
OF the legitimate errands Of our peo-
ple 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 interest merely that
we are thinking. It is. rather, or fun
damental human rights, CHIEF or all
rights, of life itself.
sI am thinking not only OF the rights
of Americans to go and come about
their proper business by way Of sea,
but also of something much deeper,
much more fundamental than that.
am thinking of those rights OF hu-
manity without which there is no CIV
ilization. My theme is Of those great
principles of compassion, and protec-
ton which mankind has sought TO
throw about human lives, the lives or
non-co combatants, the lives OF the men
who are peacefully at work keeping the
industrial processes of the world quick
and vital, the lives Of women and chill
dren and of others who supply the
labor which ministers to their suste-
nance.
1--WE are speaking Of no selfish mater
ial rights. but OF rights which our
hearts support and whose foundation
is that righteous passion for justice on
which. an law, all structures alike of
family, of state and Of mankind, must
rest, as upon the ultimate base Of our
existence, and our liberty. cannot
imagine any man with American prin-
ciples at heart hesitattng to defend