The Washington herald., 1917-02-27
Want Peace, But Will Fight,
Says President in Address

AhC NSAN VI \ ACSAuChb "iioOh . udoANoo
follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress:
l have again asked the privilege of ad-
dressing you because we are moving
through critical times during which 1t
seems to me to be my duty to keep in
close touch with the Houses of Congress,
so that neither counsel nor action shall
run at cross purposes between us.
On the Sd of February L officially in
formed you of the sudden and unexpected
action of the imperial German govern
ment in declaring its intention to disre-
gard the promises 1t had made to this
government in April last and undertake
immediate submarine operations against
all commerce, whether of belligerents or
of neutrals. that should seek to approach
Great Britain and Ireland. the Atlantic
coasts OF Europe, or the harbors Of the
eastern Mediterranean. and to conduct
those operations without regard to the
Established restrictions of International
practice, without regard to any considera-
ttons Of humanity even which might in
terfere with their object That policy was
forthwith put into practice. 1t has now
been in active execution for nearly four
weeks.
Its practical results are not yet fully
disclosed. The commerce of other neutral
nations Is suffering severely, but not, per-
haps, very much more severely than 1t
was already suffering before the first of
February. when the new policy of the
imperial government was put into opera
ton. We have asked the cooperation of
the other neutral governments to prevent
these depredations. but so far none of
them has thought 1t wise to join us in
any common course of action. Our own
commerce has suffered, is suffering, rath-
er in apprehension than in fact, rather
because SO many of our ships are timidly
keeping to their home ports than because
American ships have been sunk.
Could Have Been Expected.
Two American vessels have been sunk,
the Housatonic and the Lyman NJ. Law.
The case of the Housatonic, which was
carrying foodstuffs consigned to a Lon
don firm. was essentially hke the case of
the Fry. in which, 1t will be recalled. the
German government admitted its liability
for damages. and the lives of the crew,
as in the case of the Fry, were safe
guarded with reasonable care. The case
of the Law, which was carrying lemon
box slaves to Palermo, disclosed a ruth
lessness of method which deserves grave
condemnation, but was accompanied by
no circumstances which might not have
been expected at any time in connection
with the use of the submarine against
merchantmen as the German government
has used It,
In sum, therefore. the situation we
find ourselves in with regard to the actual
conduct Of the German submarine war
fare against commerce and its effects
upon our own ships and people Is sub
stantially the same that II was when !
addressed you on the Sd of February. ex-
cept for the tying up Of our shipping In
our own ports because Of the unwilling
ness of our shipowners to risk their ves-
sells at sea without insurance or adequate
protection, and the very serious conges-
tlon Of our commerce which has resulted,
congestion which is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day. This
in itself might presently accomplish, in
effect, what the new German submarine
orders were meant to accomplish, so far
as we are concerned. We can only say,
therefore, that the overt act which have
ventured to hope the German commanders
would in fact avoid. has not occurred.
But, while this is happily true. It must
be admitted that there have been certain
additional indications and expressions of
purpose on the part of the German press
and the German authorities which have
increased rather than lessened the i'm
preston that, II our ships and our people
are spared, 1t will be because of fortunate
circumstances or because the command
may happen to encounter exercise an un-
expected discretion and restraint rather
than because OF the instructions under
which those commanders are acting. 1t
would be foolish to deny that the situa-
ton Is fraught with the gTavest possibili-
ties and dangers. No thoughtful man can
fail to see that the necessity for definite
action may come at any time, II 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 unpre-
pared.
Must Defend Commerce.
cannot in such circumstances be un-
mindful Of the fact that the expiration of
the term of the present Congress is i'm
mediately at hand, by constitutional Emt-
tation; and that It would in all likelihood
require an unusual length of time to as
semble and organize the Congress which
Is to succeed it. I feel that I ought, in
view of that fact, to obtain from you
full and immediate assurance of the au-
thority which may need at any moment
to exercise. No doubt I already possess