Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-04

to the principles we have profcssed
ughout our life as nation.
temporary, foundations for tho peace OF
the world and must seek them candidIy
and fearlessly. As always. the right will
prove to be the expedent
what shall We do. then. to push this
great war of freedom and Justice 70 It's
righteous conclusion? We must clear
away with thorough hand all impedi-
ments to success and we must make
every adjustment OF law that will facili-
tate the full and free use of our whole
capacity and force as "A fighting unit
One very embarrassing obstacle that
stands In our way IL that we are at war
with Germany but not with her allies
|, therefore, very earnestly recommend
that the Congress Immediately declare
the United States In a state OF war with
Austria Hungary. Does 1t seem strange
to you that this should be the conclusion
Of the argument have Just addressed
to you? IL is not. It is, In fact the In
evitable logic Of what [ have said
Austria Hungary Is for the time being
not her own mistress, but simply the
vaasal of the German Government. We
must face the facts as they are and act
upon them without sentiment In this
Austria Hungary is not acting upon its
own initiative or in response to the
wishes and feelings of its own peoples,
but as the instrument Of another nation.
We must meet It's force with our
own and regard the Central Powers as
hut one The war can be successfully
conducted In no other way. The same
logic would lead also to a declaration
of war against Turkey and Bulgaria
They also are the tools of Germany
But they are mere tools and do not yet
stand In the direct path Of our neces-
sary action. We shall go wherever the
necessities of this war carry us, but
II seems to me that we should go only
where immediate and practical consid-
Grafton lead US and not heed any others.
The financial and military measures
which must be adopted will suggest
themselves as the war and it's under
takings develop but / will take the lib
erty OF proposing to you certain other
acts OF legislation which seem to me TO
be needed for the support of the war
and for the release of our whole force
and energy.
II will be necessary TO extend in fur
ther particulars the legislation of the
last session with regard TO alien enc
mics and also necessary, believe, TO
create a very definite and particular con-
troll over the entrance and departure OF
| all persons into and from the United
States
Legislation should be enacted defining
as a criminal offense every willfui viola
tion Of the presidential proclamation re-
| latins to allen enemies promulgated
under section 4067 OF the revised statutes
and providing appropriate punlshments
and women as we'll as men should be In.
ciuded In the terms OF the acts placing
restraint upon allen enemies. 1t Is likely
that as time goes on many allen enemies
will be willing to be fed and housed al
the expense OF the Government In the
detention camps. and II would be the
purpose OF the legislation I have sug
gested to confine offenders among then
in penitentiaries and other similar in
stitutions where they could be made &c
work as other criminals do.
Recent experience has convinced me
that the Congress must go further ir
authorizing the Government to set lin
its to prices The law of supply anc
demand, ! am sorry to say, has beer
| replaced by the law of unrestraine6
selflshness. While we have eliminated
profiteering In several branches Of In
dustry. 1t stili runs impudently rampant
in others. The farmers, for example
complain with great deal Of justice
that while the regulation Of food price:
restricts their incomes, no restraints arr
placed upon the prices or most or th'
things they must themselves purchase
ana similar iheauities OBTAIN on al side
Is mperatiVeiy necessary that TN
consideration OF the fuli use OF tn
water power OF the country and ais'
the consideration OF the systematic an'
yet economical development OF such O.
'he natural resources OF the country al