The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-26

thoughtful man can fail to see that
the necessity for definite action may
come at any time if we are in fact,
and not in word merely. to defend our
elementary rights as a neutral nation.
1t would be most imprudent to be I'M
prepared.
L cannot in such circumstances be
unmindful of fact that the eXpifa-
ton of the term of the. present con-
gress is Immediately at hand, by con-
stitutionaI limitations, and that it
would in all likelihood require an I'M
usual length of time to assem- bic and
organize the congress which is to sue
coed it. ~a-t-s
Il feel that I ought, in view of that
fact, to obtain from YOU full and inn
mediate assurance of the authority
which l may need {at any moment to
exercise. No doubt L already possess
the power without special warrant OF,
law by the plain implication of nv
constitutional duties and powers; but
L prefer, in the present circumstances
not TO act upon general implication.
! wish to feel that the authority and
the power of the congress are behind
me in whatever it may become neees-
Sary for me to do. We are Jointly
the servants of the people and must
act together and in their spirit, so
far as we can divine and interpret it
NO one doubts that it is our DUTY
| to. do so. We must defend our COM
! merce and the lives of our people
in the midst of the present trying cir
cumstanceS with discretion but with
clear and steadfast purposes. Only
! the method and the extent remain to
! to be chosen upon the occasion if
occasion should indeed arise
| Since it has unhapPfly proved i'm
/ possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
| the unwarranted infringements they
or faTir1 he A.,
many, there may be no recourse but
| to armed neutrality, which we shall
| know how to maintain and for which
there is abundant American prece-
| dent.
Do Not Want war
1T is devoutly to be hoped that it
! will not be necessary to put armed
forces anywhere into action. The
! American people do not desire it and
our desire is not different from theirs.
1 am sure that they will understand
| the spirit in which l am now acting,
/ the purpose 1 hold near my heart and
| would wish to exhibit in everything l
/ do. 1 am anxious that the people of
the nations at war also should un-
derstand and not mistrust us. l hope
that 1 need give no further proofs
and assurances that 1 have already
given thruout nearly three years of
anxious patience that l am the friend
of peace and mean to preserve it for
America so long as 1 am able.
Il am not now proposing con-
templating war or any steps that need
lead to it. l merely request that YOU
will accord me by your own vote and
definite bestowal the means and the
authority to safeguard III practice the
right of a great people who are at
peace and who are DESTROYS of exer-
cising none but the rights of peace
to follow the pursuit of peace in quiet
ness and good will-rights recognized
time out of mind by all the civilized
nations of the world. No course of my
own choosing or of theirs will lead to
war. War can come only by the will
full acts and aggressions of others.
Would Arm Merchant Ships.
You will understand why I can
i make no definite proposals or fore
casts of action now and must ask for
your supporting authority in the most
general terms. The form in which
} vet be foreseen. / believe that the
people will be willing to trust me to
act with restraint, with prudence, and
in the true spirit of amity and good
that they have themselves displayed
turnout these trying months and it is
in that belief that I request that you
will authorize me to supply our mer-
chant ships with defensive arm:
should that become necessary and witt
: the means of using them and to EN-.
: p1oy any other instrumentalities Oh
methods that may be necessary ane
I adequate to protect our ships and oul
| people in their legitimate and peace
: full pursuits on the seas I reques
: also that you will grant me at the
; same time, along with the powers
. ask, a sufficient credit TO enable m,
to provide adequate means of protec
ton where they are lacking including
adequate insurance against the pres
ent war risks
Il have spoken of our commerce
t and of the legitimate errands of on
= people on the seas. but you will not b
0 misled as to my main thought tina