The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06


standings that we're supposed to un
derlie the intercourse of the world
"I am not now thinking of the loss
of property involved, immense and
serious as that is but only of the
wanton and wholesale destruction of
the lives of noncombatants, men,
women and children, engaged in pur.
suits which have always, even in the
darkest periods of modern history,
been deemed innocent and legitimate.
Property can be paid for; the lives
of peaceful and innocent can not be.
The present German submarine war.
fare against commerce is a warfare
against mankind.
Armed Neutrality Ineffective.
"When [ addressed the congress on
the 26tn OF February last | thought
that 1t would suffice to assert our neu'
trail rights with arms, our right to use
the seas against unlawful interfer.
ence, our right to keep our people
safe against unlawful violence. But
armed neutrality, it now appears, is
impracticable. Because submarines
are in effect outlaws when used as
the German submarines have been
used against merchant shipping, it is
impossible to defend ships against
their attacks as the law OF nations
has assumed that merchantmen
would defend themselves against prl-
vateers or cruisers, visible craft Civ.
ing chase upon the open sea. II is
common prudence in such circum.
stances. grim necessity indeed, to ell.
deavor to destroy them before they
have shown their own Intentions.
They must be dealt with upon sight,
II dealt with at all
"The German government denies
the right Of neutrals to use arms at
all within the areas of the sea which
It has prescribed. even in the de,
fenso Of rights which no modern pub.
lfclst has ever before questioned their
right TO defend There is one choice
we can not make, we are incapable OF
making. We will not choose the
path Of submission and suffer tho
most sacred rights OF our nation and
our people to be ignored or violated
The wrongs against which we now ar
ray ourselves are not common
wrongs; they cut to the very roots OF
human life.
Solemn Stop Taken.
with profound sense OF the sol.
emn and even traglcal character Of
the step | am taking and of the grave
responsibilities which 1t Involves. but
In unhesitating obedience to what
deem my constitutional duty. advise
that the congress declare the recent
course OF the imperial German gov.
ernment to he nothing less than war
against the government and people Of
the United States; that 1t formally aC.
cept the status OF belligerent which
has thus been thrust upon it; and
that 1t take immediate steps not only
to put the country in more thorough
state of defense. but also to exert all
its power and employ all Of It's re-
sources to bring the government OF
Germany to terms and end the war
what this will involve is clear. IT
cooperation in counsel and action
with the governments now at war
with Germany, and as incident tO
that the extension to those govern
ments Of the most liberal financial
credits In order that our resources
may so far as possible be added to
theirs 1t viii involve the organi2a.
al. r,,,hf1fynif,N af an
terial resources OF the country to sup
gly the materials OF war and serve the
incidental needs of the nation in TIE
most abundant and yet the most
economical and efficient way possible.
II will involve the immediate full
equipment Of the navy IL all respects.
tut particularly in supplying IL with
the best means Of dealing with thu
enemy's submarines. It will involve
the immediate addition to the armed
forces OF the United States already
provided for by law in case of war
at least 500 900 men, who should, IA
my opinion, be chosen upon the pr!n
cipal Of universal liability TO service,
and also the authorization of subse.
VutHl duuiliOHdi lutltUltuio ol equal
force as soon az they may be nee-led
and car be handled in training. 1t
! Will involve also of course. the grant.
Ing OF adequate Gredits to the govern
maut sustained, | hope, so fur as ths'
can equitably be sustained by th'
present generation, by well conceived
taxation.
Would Help Allies.
in carrying out the measures b.
which these things are to be accom-
! plished we should keep constantly II
mind the wisdom OF interfering a
little as possible in our own prepara
tlon aud in TIE equipment OF our Owl
military forces with the duty-for /
will be very practical duty--ot SUI
plying the nations already at wa
with Germany with the material
which they can obtain only from u
or by Our assistance. They are in tn
field aud we shouid heip tnem i
every way to be effective there.
81 shall take the liberty of suggest
iug thrpu.b tho 9aNnrnI aXRCutiya I'D