Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1917-04-05
VIII SON DECLARES THAT THE NATION
MUST WAGE WAR WITH GERMANY

morrow. No action was taken in the
house. Stone voted in the senate
committee against the war resolu-
ton which is all ready.
Wilson's plan is to assemble 50O,-
900 men under a universal service
system to add to the army and ma
tionaI guard and make total of
i,2OO, 900.
Washington April 9.-President
Wilson last night urged congress,
assembled in joint session, to de-
clare state of war existing between
the United States and Germany.
In a dispassionate. but unmea-
sured denunciation of the course OF
the imperial German government,
which he characterized as a chal-
lenge to all mankind, the president
declared that neutrality no longer
was feasible or desirable where the
peace of the world was involved.
The president said war with Ger
many would involve practically CO.
operation with the governments now
at war with Germany, including lib
eral financial credits.
He urged the raising of u million |
men, chosen on the principle of uni
versal liability to service.
The president made it clear that
10 action was being taken against |
the Austrian government and other
nations allied with Germany.
From Wilson's Speech
The present German submarine
warfare is a warfare against man
kind. 1t is war against all nations.
There has been no discrim-
nation The challenge is to all |
mankind.
Our motive will not be revenge
+. but only the vindication of
human rights. of which we are only |
a single champion.
Armed neutrality, it now appears, |
is irnpractica BILE. Because submarines
are in effect outlaws, when used as |
the German submarines have been
used they must be dealt |
with upon sight, if dealt with at all.
There is one choice we cannot !
make. We will not choose
the path of submission and suffer
TIE most sacred rights of our nation
and our people to be ignored or vio-
lated.
Neutrality is no longer feasible or
desirable where the peace OF the
world is involved and the freedom
of its peoples.
We have no quarrel with the
German people. 1t was not
upon their impulse that their gov
ernment acted in entering this war.
A steadfast concert for peace can
never be maintained except by
partnership of democratic nations.
No autocratic government could be
trusted to keep faith within it or
observe its covenants.
We are now about to accept the
gage of battle with this natural foe
to liberty and shall, if necessary,
spend the whole force of the nation
to check and nullify its pretensions
and its power.
The world must be made safe for
democracy. It's peace must be land
ed upon the trusted foundations of
political liberty.
We have no selfish ends to serve.
We desire no conquest, no domin-
ion. We are but one of
the champions of the rights of man
kind.
His Address Sent to Berlin
The objects of the United States
in entering the war, the president
said, were to vindicate the principles
Of peace and justice against selfish
and autoeratic power"
The presidents address was sent
in full to Germany by a German Of
ficial news agency for publication in
that country.
The text also went to England,
and a summary of its contents was
sent around the world to other ma
tions
To carry on an effective warfare
a aooinsf tho German government |