The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-02-26
PRESIDENT ASKS CONGRESS FOR AUTHORITY TO PLACE
UNITED STATES ON A BASIS OF ARMED NEUTRALITY FOR
PURPOSE OF RESISTING GERMAN SUBMARINE MENACE

force anywhere into action. The
American people do not desire II and
our desire Is not different from theirs.
/ am sure chat they will understand
the spirit In which | am now acting.
the purpose hold nearest my heart
and would wish to exhibit IN every
thing do. am anxious ;hat the
people of the nations at war also
should understand aud not misirust
us hope that need give no fur
ther proofs and assurances than have
already given throughout nearly three
years OF anxious patience that ! am
the friend Of peace and mean to pre-
serve II for America 80 long as / ann
able. am not now PROPOSING or
contemplating war or any steps that
need lead to H. I merely request that
YOU will accord me by your own vote
and definite bcstowal the means ana
the authority to safeguard in practice
the right of a great people who are
at peace aud who are desirous Of cN-
crcising none but the rights of peace,
To follow the pursuit Of peace Ia quiet
ness aud good will--rights recognized
time out of mind by an the civilized
nations Of the world No course OF
my choosing or OF theirs viii lead To-
war. War can come only 10y the viii
ful acts aim aTgresions of others.
You viii understand way I can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts uf action now aud must ask for
your supporting authority In the most
general terms. "he form In which
action may become necessary cannot
Vet be fprcseea believe that the
people viii be willing 20 trust me to
act with restraint, with a prudence
and in the true spirit of amity and
good faith that they have themselves
displayed throughout these ;rying
months. and II is In ihnt belief that
request that YOU viii authorize me TO
supply our merchant ships with de-
/ fenshe arms should that become nee
cssary and with the means of using
them ana To- employ any other instru-
mentalities or methods that may be
necessary ana adequate To protect our
ships and our people in their lesiti-
mate and peaceful pursuits on the
seas. I request. also, that Non VIII
grant me at the same time, along with
enable me to provide adequate means
Of protection where they are lacking.
! incluaing insurance against ;he pres
cnt War risks.
81 have spoken Of our commerce
and OF the Legitimate errands of ON
people on the seas, but Won will not be-
mislcd ~ To- my main thought, the
thought that lies beneath 1hcso phrn
/ "a I'll
weight Il Is not Of material interest
lmercly that we are thinking n b.
rather of fundamental human rights
chief 81 an the right of lifc itself
am thinking not only of the rights "i
Americans To go and come about Their
proper business hy way ut the sea. bu
lalSn of something much deeper. mucl
more fundamental than that an
thinking Of those rights OF humanitN
without which there is NO civilization
My theme of those great principles 4"
compassion aud of protection whi'l
mankind has sought Ia throw ahou
human lives. the lives of n1u-comhet
lants. the lives of mcu who ar" peace
fun, at work keeping the Industrial
processcs ~ the world quick ana vital
the lives of women ana children an'
OF those who supply the labor Nhic'
, ministers To- their sustcnInce W
are speakiup of no selfish matcrin
p lright- but of rights which our heart
p support and whose foundation By tha
p righteous passion for Justice upu
. which uU law. am structure alike "
family. ~ state and ~ mankind mus
lrest. "a, upon the ultimate hase ~ ou
4 lcXisteucc and our liberty. cnnno
imagine any man with American priu
Iciples at his heart hcsitntinE tu d'
, fcnd these things
New YORK. Feb If Prcsidcn