South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-26
AUTHORITY TO ACT is
ASKED BY PRESIDENT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)

possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infringements they
are suffering at the hands of Ger
many, there may be no resourse but
to armed neutrality. which we shall
know how 20 maintain and for which
there is abundant American pre-
cedent.
1T is devoutly TO be hoped that il
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The
American people do not desire it,
and our desire is not different from
theirs. 1 am sure that they will
understand the spirit in which now
/ am acting, the purpose l hold
nearest my heart, and would wish
to exhibit IN everything | do. | am
anxious that the peoples of the ma
tons at war also should understand
and not mistrust us. 1 hope that I
need give no further proofs and as
surances than l have already igiven
throughout nearly three years Of
anxious patience that l am the
friend of peace and mean to pre-
serve ii for America so long as | am
able. l am not now proposing or
contemplating war or any steps
that need lead TO it. 1 merely re-
quest that you will accord me by
your own vote and definite bestowal
the means and the authority to
safeguard in practice the right of a
great people who are at peace and
who are DESTROYS of exercising none
but the rights of peace TO follow the
pursuits of peace in quietness and
good will--rights recognized time
out of mind by all the civilized ma
tons of the world No course of my
choosing or of theirs will lead TO
war. War can come only by the
wilful acts and aggressiOns of others.
No Definite Proposals.
You will understand why 1 can
make no definite proposals CT fore
casts of action and must ask your
supporting authority in the most gem
eral terms. The form in which ac-
ton may become necessary cannot
yet be foreseen. L 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 them
selves displayed throughout these
trying months; and il is in that be-
lief that 1 request that you will au-
thorize me to supply our merchant
ships with defensive arms, should
that become necessary and with the
means of using them, and 10 employ
any other instrumentalities or
methods that may be necessary and
adequate 10 protect our ships and
our people in their legitimate and
peaceful pursuits on the seas. I re-
quest also that you will grant me at
the same time, along with the pow
ers / ask. a sufficient credit 10 enab bic
me 10 provide adequate means of
protection where they are lacking.
including adequate insurance
against the present war risks.
Il have spoken Of our commerce
and of the legitimate errands of our
people on the seas, but you will not
be misled as 10 my main thought
the thought that lies beneath these
phrases and gives them dignity and
weight. 1t is not of material inter
ests that We are thinking. Ii is,
rather, OF fundamental human
rights. chief Of all, the right Of hu-
man life itself
Thinking of Humanity.
81 am thinking not only Of rights
Of Americans 70 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-
mainly without which there is no
civilization Ny theme is Of those
great principles of compassion and
of protection which mankind has
sought 10 throw about human lives.
the lives Of nOncombatants, the lives
Of men who are peacefully at work
keeping the industrial processes Of
the world quick and vital, the lives
Of women and children and OF those
who supply the labor which minis
ters 10 their sustenance.
I'VE are speaking OF no selfish
material rights but OF rights which
with our hearts support, and toen-