The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-04-05

and the other nations allied with "
Gerintny
President Wilson spoke in part as
follows:
4 have called the Congress into eE-
traordinary session because there are
serious very serious choices o. pol
icy to be made, and made immediate
~, which it was neither right nor con-
stitHtionally permissible that I should
assume the responsibility OF making
Nc Ships Safe in Danger Zone.
On the third Of February last o.
feially laid before you the eXtraord-
nary announcement Of the imperial
German government that on and af-
Ter the first day Of February it was
lis purpose To put aside all restraints
Of law or of humanity ard use its sub
marines to sink every yesser that
sought to approach either the ports
of Great Britain and Ireland or the
western coasts Of Europe e. any IF
the ports controlled by the enemies Of
Germany within the Nediterranedn
That had seemed 10 be tie object Of
the German submarine warfare earlier
il the war, but since April Of last
year the imperial government had
somewhat restrained the commanders
of its Endersea craft in conformity
with its promise then given TO us
that passenger boats should not be
sunk and that due warning would be
given to all other vessels which IS
submarines might seek to destroy,
when no resistance was offered or e.
cape attempted, and care taken thar
their crews were given at least
fair chance to save their lives in their
open boats
THE precautions taken were meag-
er and haphazard enough as was
proved in distressing instance after
instance in the progress of the cruel
and unmanly business. but 4 certain
degree ef restraint vas observed.
The new policy has swept every
kind. whatever their flag. their char
acter their cargo, their destination,
heir errand. have been ruthless'v
f4sent to the bottom without warning
and without thought of help or mercy
for those on board, the vessels of
friendly neutrals along with those Of
helligerents Even hospital Ships and
ships carrying relief to the sorely be-
reaved and stricken people of Be-
sirm. though the latter were proSid-
ed with safe conduct through the pro-
seribad areas by the German govern
ment itself and We're distinguished by
unmistakable marks of identity, have
beeG sunk with the same reckless lack
OF compassion or of principle.
I was for a little while unable 20
believe that such things would in fact
be done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed To the humane
practices of civilized nations Interna-
tional law had its origin in the at
tempt to set up some law which would
be respected ard observed upon the
seas, where no nation had right of do
minion and where lay the free high
ways of the world
Germans Making War On Mankind.
by painful stage after stage has
that law been built up with meager
enough results, indeed, after all was
accomplished that could be accom-
plished but always with clear view,
IT least of what the heart and con-
science Of mankind demanded. This
minimum of right the German govern
ment has swept aside under the plea
ef retaliation and necessity and be
cause ii had no weapons which It
could use at sea except those when
il is impossible to employ as it is
employing them without throwing to
the winds all scrupIes of humanity or
Of respect for the understanding tina:
were supposed to underlie the inter.
course of the world
Il am not now thinking of the loss
Of properly involved. immense and
serious as that is, but only Of the
wanton and wholesale destruction Of
tho lives of nonc1mbatants. men. wo-
t7en and children, engaged in pursuits
which have always, even in the dark
Is periods of modern history. been
deemed innocent and legitimate.
Property can be paid for; the lives
of peaceful and innocent people can
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