Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-11-18

Gentlemen OF the Congress:
have called the congress into extra
ordinary session because there are Sc
rious very serious choices Of policy TO
be made. and made Immediately which
II is neither right nor constitutionally
per nissible that should assume the re-
sponsibility OF making
On the Sd of February last ] officially
laid before you the extraordinary an
nouncement of the Imperial German
government that on and after the LIST
day Of February IL was its purpose to
put aside all restraints OF law or Of hu-
manity and use its submarines to sink
every vessel that sought to approach
either the ports OF Great Britain and
Ireland or the western Goa SITS Of Furope
or anv Of the ports controlled nv the
enemies OF Germany within the Nedi-
terransan That had seemed TO be the
object Of the German submarine war
fare earlier in the war. but since April
OF last year the Imperial government
had somewhat restrained the comman-
ders Of its undersea craft. in conform
fty with its promise. then given TO
that passenger boats should mot he
sunk. nnd that due warning would br
given 10 all other vessel. which its
submarines might seek 10 destroy.
when Resistance was offered e--
cape attempted. and care taken that
their crews were given Mt least n fair
chance to save their lives In their open
boats The precautions taken were
merger and haph8xard enough. was
proved In distressing instance after
instnnre In the progress. Of the cruel
and unmanly business. hut n certain de-
gree of restraint wa. observed.
The new policy has swept every re-
striction aside Vessels ~ every kind
whatever their nag. their character
their cnrEO. their Destination. their
GRAND. have been ruthlassly sent TO
e rTns ~ . D.
out 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 carrying
relief TO the soreIy bereaved and strfck-
En- people Of Belgium though the lat
ter were provided with safe conduct
through the prescribed areas by the
German government itself md were
AIstin ruI.hed by uBmistakable marks
Of Identity. have been sunk with the
same reckless lack OF compassion or
Of principle.
believe that surh things would In fact
be done by m. government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices Of civilized nations. Inter-
nationrI law had Its origin In the Mt
tempt to set up some law which wouId
be respected and ob.erved opcn the
sens. where no uatfon hid RICH; Of
dominion md where lay the free high
why's Of the world By painful stage
after stage has that law been built up
with meager enough results. indeed
after all was accomplished that could
be accomplished. hut always with
clear view. Mt least. Of what the heart
spd ~ou-cienre Of mankind demanded.
This minimum OF right the German
government has swept aside under the
plea Of retaliation and necessity and
because IL had no weapons which IL
could use at sea except these. which
IL is impossible to employ as II Is en-
ploying them without throwing to the
wind all scrupIes OF humanity or OF
respect for the understancings that
were Supposed to underlie the inter
course ~ the world
lam rot now thinking Of the loss of
propert, involved immense and serious
as that s. but only Of the wanton and
wholesa destruction OF the lives Of
non -cornbatants. men. women. and chill
cren. engaged In pursuits which hsve
always. even In the darkest periods Of
node-s history. been deemed innocent
spd legitimate. Property can be- paid
for. the lives Of peac~rul and innocent
v~erIe cannot he The present German
submarine warfare against commerce
Is warfare against mankind.
1t war against all nations. Amer
lea. shIps have been sunk. American
i've. taken. In ways which u has
the ships mad people Of other neutral
and friendly nations have been sunk
and Overwhelmed In the waters 10 the
sam~ way. There hns been NO dis
er1r,tnstion-
The challenge L. co all mankind
Each nation must decide for Itself how
II will meet IL The choice we make
FOR ourselves must be made with a
moderation OF counsel and n temper
ateness Of Judgment behtting our
character and our motives as nation
we must put excited feelings away
Our motive will not be revenge or -se
victorious assertion OF the physical
might Of the nation. but only the vim
dfcation Of right. Of human right. Of
which we are only a single champion
when I addressed the congress on
the 2sth Of February last ] thought IL
would sufIice TO assert our neutral rights
with arms sur right 20 sse the sens
AGAINST anlswfu1 Interference, eur right
10 keep COR people safe against ssssw-
ful vssDeDee. But armed neutrality. II
- snn>,pu in unavoidable. Because