Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-20
Armed Neutrality Not Enough

I, OR this great nation longer to endure tho
i griovons wrongs which Germany commits.
against our peace, dignity and safety. is i'm
possible. If must continue to suffer. We
must also strike. For weeks Germany has
hccn at war with the United States; it is
high time the United States was at war with
Germany.
Armed neutrality docs not meet the need.
America has announced to the world that the
so-callcd barred zones Germany has sought
10 establish would not be recognized; that
the right OF American merchantmen freely TO
traverse the high seas, subject only to the
bolligerent right Of visit and search. would
be mautaiued: that the destruction OF
American property and life would be resisted
and avenged.
The United states is not Norway lol-
land. We can pity these unhappy small ma
lions. doomed by their fceblencss and their
proximity 10 the chief offender 20 endure
gross indignties. but we need not follow their
example II patience has been a yirtue-anu
The Times Dispatch has been OF those who
thought so--surcly we have displayed il in
sufficient quantity.
Further endurance would be criminal
Had been lost 10 all sense of shame. we
might have forbidden American vessels Il,
enter Germanys zones of death but we did
not take that course. Instead. VIC insisted
ON their right freely TO traverse the high
seas. and declared they would be prot ected in
that rights exercise. The government en-
conraged them TO make the venture; tn.
President went so far as 10 rcbuke the
"timidity" of shipowners who hello their
vessels in port
Germany has scorned and foutcd us. Our
Indignation has been set anamc, our purpose
has been challenged. not by a single overt
act, hut by half dozen Our ships have
heeii destroyed without warning. and brave
s,amcn and helpless passengers have been left
10 the mcrcCs OF waves as ruthless almos;
as the commander of German submarine
There have been deaths enough. in all con
science. but that deaths have not been more
numerous has been due to chance rattle than
10 any purpose on the part of the submarines
TO mitigate frightlulness for our benefit
Germany is at war with the United States:
what Will America DO about it? Will she
crlhge and cover under the lash of reu,on
frenzy? Will she her gallant shfps
founder, her brave men and gentle women
murdered. without "a hand raised in their
defense Will she play a towards part In
the greatest drama Of human history? will
she accept blow and not return it? Will
she suffer wrong, and take no stand for the
right? II cannot be.
Congress should be called into session at
once. Doubtless il is within the province OF
the President TO recognize that a state of war
exists and 10 use the whole army and navy
OF the United States TO protect the countrv's
commerce. but only Congress NAV make suit-
able provision for the national defense We
snail need billions of dollars and hundreds
81 thousands OF men We shall need all the
munitions our great arsenals can produce
We shall require. behind the President the
force OF a unified and militant public senti-
mcnt
TO supply these in Astounding measure. Is
the junction of Congress, which is over ana
above the great power to declare war So
lar as maj particular duty goes, VIC need not
be disturbed about it, because the German
boats have saved Congress the trouble
We are At war now