Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-04-03
STATUS OF A
bElL|GERENT
URGED UPON
NATION BY

WASHINGTON, IL. T., Aprll J.-fresl-
dent Wilson last night asked congress to
declare that state of war existed be-
tween the United States and Germany.
While the news of the summarizing of the
Aztec was being told from mouth to mouth
the president was addressing congress. The
president said that war with Germany
would involve practical cooperation with
the governments now at war with Ger
many, including liberal financial credits.
He urged the raising of half million men
and universal training service.
The president made it clear that no ac-
tion is being taken against Austria and the
other nations allied with Germany
The senate and house reeonycned at
o'clock last night to hear the president
A joint resolution declaring that a state
of war exists was introduced in both
houses, which referred the resolutions to
their foreign relations committees and
then adjourned until today. Both com
mittees then retired to meet today.
President Wilson said in part:
'Germany's new submarine policy has
swept every restriction aside. Vessels Of
every kind, whatever their flag, their
flag, their character, their cargo, their
destination, their errand, have been ruth
lessly sent 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 belligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships carrying
relief to sorely bereaved and stricken peo-
pie of Belgium, though the latter we're
provided with safe conduct through the
prescribed area by the German government
itself and were distinguished by unmis-
taxable morks of identity, have been sunk
with the same reckless lack of compassion
and principle.
II am not now thinking of the loss of
property involved, immense and serious
as that is, bnt only of the wanton and
wholesale destruction of lives of non-com-
batants, and men. women and children
engaged in pursuits which have always,
even in the darkest periods Of modern
history, been deemed innocent and legiti-
mate.
''The present German submarine war
fare against commerce Is warfare against
mankind. it Is war against all nations.
There has been no discrimination. The
challenge i To all mankind. But we
must put excited feelings away. Our mo-
tive will not be revenge or victorious as-
sertion of might of nation, but only the
vindication of human right
"The German government denies the
right of neutrals to nse arms at all within
the areas of sea which ii has prescribed
even in the defense Of rights which no
toned their right to defend.
"There i one choice which we cannot
make, we are incapable. of making: We
will not chose the path Of submission and
suffer the most sacred rights of our ma
tion and our people To be ignored or vio-
lated. Wrongs against which we array
ourselves are not common wrongs; they
cut TO the very roots of human life.
with profound sense of the solemn
and event tragical character of the step
am taking and of the grave responsibility
which il involves, but in unhesitating
obedience to what deem my constitutional
duty | advise that congress declare the
recent course of the German government
to be in fact nothing less than war against
the government and people of the United
States; that it formally accept the status
of belIigerent which has thus been thrust
upon it, and that il take immediate steps
not only to put the country in a more thor
ough state of defense, but also to exert all
its power and employ all its resources to
bring the government of Germany to terms
and end the war. This will involve the
utmost practicable cooperation in coun-
sci and action with the governments now
ct war with Germany"