The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06
ASKS ARMY OF 100000
Also Urges Liberal Financial
Credit For Allies.
DISLOYALTY TO Be SQUElCHEO

Aong Controversy With Germany
Over Submarine Operations Review
ed at Length and imperial Govern
ment Severely Arraigned-Pres
dent Makes It Clear That No Action
Is Being Taken Against Other Cen
traI Powers.
Washington, April 3.-Appearing
before Joint session OF the house
and senate last night, President VIII
son asked congress to declare that 8
state of war exists between Germany
and the United States because of Ger
lmany,s illegal submarine warfare
The president also requested that
immediate steps be taken to put the
country in more thorough state oil
employ all It's resources to bring the
government of the German empire to
terms and end the war.
Tho president said acquiescence by
congress would involve the utmost
practicable cooperation in counsel
and action" with the governments
now at war with Germany, tde raising
OF 100000 mgu who. In his opinion
should be chosen upon the principle
of universal liability to service and
the granting of adequate credits to
the government The full text of the
message follows:
THE MESSAGE.
. Gentlemen OF the Congress
Il have called congress into extra
ordinary session because there are
serious, very serious. choices OF pol
Icy to be made and made immediate
Iy. which it was neither right or
consttutionally permissible tnat |
shonld assume the responsibility Of
-msltmg
TON the 81 of February last ! OH.
Cially laid before you an extraordin-
AIRY announcement of the imperial
German government that on and after
the 1st day of February 1t was its pu.'
nose TO put aside all restraints Of law
or OF humanity and use It's subma
rines to sink every vessel that sought
10 approach either the ports OF Great
Britain and ireland, or the western
coasts Of Europe. or any OF the ports
controlled by the enemies OF Germany
within the Mediterranean. That haC
seemed to be the object of of the Ger
man submarine warfare earlier In tn'
war. but since April Of last year III,
Imperial German government ha,
ssomewhat restrained the commander
,nf MS undersea craft In conformlt
with its promise then riven to MS tina
messenger boats should not be sun
and that due warning would be give
10 all otner vessels which it's subma
fines might seek to oestroy, when IA
resistance was offered or escape a
tempted. and care taken that the
crews were given AT least ia
sehance to save their lives IN the
,open boats. The precautions wei
meager and hapha2ard enough 9
was proved In distressing instanC
after instance In the progress OF IT
criiei and unmanly business, but
certain degree OF restraint was o
served.
err. new policy has swept eyci
resrscl.On aside Vessels Of eyol
Kind, whatever their flag, their cha
acter, their cargo. their destinatio
their errand have been ruthless
sent TO the bottom OF the sea witho'
warning and without thought Of ne
or mercy for those on hoard the We
s.lx .aT frinVtHlss al NgiI
those Of belligerents.
Warfare Against Mankind.
Il was for a little while unable
believe that such things would In "a
be done by any government that III
hitherto subscribed TO the humal
practices OF civilized nations Int
national law had its origin in the
kempt to set up some law which won
be respected and observed upon 4
seas, where no nation had right
dominion and where .ay the free hiR
ways of the world by painful effo
Htags after stage has that law be-
built up, with meager enough result
indeed, after all was accomplish
that could be accomplished, but
ways with clear view nj least
what the heart or conscience OF una
kind demanded. This minimum
right the German government h
swept aside under the plea OF retail
tion and necersity and because II h
no weapons which It could use at 8
except those which II IL impossible
It is employing them. without thro
ing to the winds all acrupies OF