The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-03

of neutrals to use arms at all within the areas
of the sea which it has prescribed. even in the
defence OF rights which no modern publicis has
before questioned their right to defend
The intimation is conveyed that the armed
guards which VIC have placed on our merchant
ships will be treated as beyond the pale of law
and subject to be dealt with as pirates would be.
Armed neutrality is Intellectual enough at
best: in such circumstances and in the face of
such pretensons It is worse than Intellectual;
it is likely to produce what II was meant
to prevent; it is practically certain to draw us
into the war without either the rights the
effectiveness of beligerents.
There il one choice we cannot make, We are
Incapable OF making: we will not choose the
path OF submission and suffer the most sacred
rights OF our nation and people to be
ignored or violated The wrongs against which
now array ourselves are not common
wrongs: they reach out TO the very roots Of
human life.
SOLEMN AND EVEN TRAGICAL CHARAC.
TER OF THE STEP I AM TAXING AND or
THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH
IT INVOLVES. BUT IN CNHESITATING
OBEDIENCE TO WHAT DEEM MY con.
STITCTIONAL DUTY. I ADVISE THAT THE
COURSE OF THE IMPERIAL GERMAN
GOVERNMENT TO BE IN FACT NOTHING
LESS THAN WAR AGAINST THE GOVERN.
MENT AND PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
81 Al Us. IUit " IOTUlUIy uCCcpt tUe STATUS
Of bclligercnt which has thus been thrust upon
II and that Il take immediate steps not only to
put the country In n more thorough state OF
defence. but also TO exert all its power and em.
plOy all Its resources to bring the Government
Of the German Empire to terms and end the
What this will involve is clear. /, will in
volvc the utmost practicable cooperation in
counsel and action with the Governments now
at war with Germany, and as incident to that
the extension to those Governments of the most
liberal financial credits in order that
sources may far possible be added to
theirs.
1t will involve the organization and mobiliza-
tion of all the material resources Of the country
TO supply the materials Of war and serve the
incidental needs of the nation in the most
abundant and yet the most economical and ef-
iicient way possible.
1t will involve the immediate full equipment
OF the navy in all respects, but particularly in
supplying it with the best means of dealing
with the Cncmys submarines
II will involve the immediate addition 10 tho
armed forces OF the United States already pro.
Nided FOR by law In case Of war at least 500. 900
men, who should. In my opinion. he chosen upon
the principle OF universal liability to service.
and also the authorization OF subsequent ad.
d'tional increments Of equal force soon ~
they may he needed and can he handled In
training.
1t will involve also. of course. the granting
OF adequate credits to the Government, sus-
tanned, hope, far they can equitably he
sustained by the present generation, by we'll
conceived taxation. | say sustained so far as
may be equitable by taxation because II seems
10 me that it would be most unwise to base
the credits which will be necessary en-
trcly money borrowed.
IT is our duty, most respectfully urge, 10
protect our people so far We may against
the very serious hardships and evils which
would be likely TO arise out Of the imitation
which would be produced by vast loans
In carrying out the measures by which these
things are to be accomplished should keen
constantly in mind the wisdom Of interfering &
as little as possible in our Nwn preparation
and in the equipment of our own military forces
with the duty-for it will be very practical
duty-ot supplying the nations already at wal
with Germany with the materials which they
can obtain only from us or by our assistance
They are in the field and should help them
in every way to be effective there.
shall take the liberty of suggesting.
through the several executive departments of
the Government. for the consideration of your
committees measures for the accomplishment of
the several objects | have mentioned. l hope
that 1t will be your pleasure to deal with them
having been framed after very careful
thought by the branch of the Government upon
which the responsibility of conducting the war
and safeguarding the nation will most directly
fall.
While We do these .thngs. these deeply mo-
mentous things. let us be very clear and make
very clear to all the world what motives
and our objects are. My own thought has not
been driven from its habtual and normal course
by the unhappy events of the last two months
and ] do not believe that the thought of the
nation has been altered couded by them.
I have exactly the same thing in mind nov
that had in mind when ] addressed the Senate
on the ed of January last; the same that
had in mind when | addressed the Congress OF
J the Sd OF February and on the 26th OF February
Our object now. as then. Is TO yindlcate tn,
principles Of peace aud the justice In the life o.
the world rs against selfish and autocrati,