The sun., 1917-02-27

possess that authority without special
warrant of law by the plain implica-
ton of my constitutional duties and
powers, but / prefer in the present
circumstances not to act upon general
implication. wish to feel that the
authority and the power of the Con-
gress are behind me in whatever it
may become necessary 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.
Armed Neutrality Necessary. D.
No one doubts what 1t is our duty
to do. We must defend our commerce
and the lives of our people in the
midst of the present trying circum-
stances with discretion but with clear
and steadfast purpose. only the
method and the extent remain to he
chosen upon the occasion. If occasion
should indeed arise. Since il has un-
happily proved impossible to safeguard
our neutral rights by diplomatic means
against the unwarranted infringements
they are suffering at the hands of Ger
many. there may be no recourse hut
to armed neutrality, which we shall
know how to maintain and for which
there Is abundant American precedent.
1t is devoutly to be hoped that it
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The Amer
lean people do not desire it and our
desire is not different from theirs.
am sure that they will understand
the spirit in which | am now acting.
the purpose / hold nearest my heart
and would wish to exhibit in every
thing I do anNiniS that n
people of the nations at war also
should understand and not mistrust
us. ] hope that l need give no fur
ther proofs and assurances than
have already given throughout nearly
three years of anxious patience that
am the friend of peace and mean to
preserve it for America SO long as I
am able.
I am not now proposing or con-
tcmplating war or any steps that need
lead to it. ] merely request that you
will accord me by your own vote and
! definite bestowal the means and the
authority to safeguard In practice the
right of great people who are at
peace and who are desirous of exer-
cising none but the rights of peace to
follow the pursuits 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 choosing or of theirs will lead TO
war. War can come only by the
wilful acts and aggrcssions of others.
Requests Authority to Arm.
You will understand why can
, 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
action may become necessary cannot
yet be forcseen. | believe that the
| people will he willing to trust me to
act with restraint, with prudence, and
IN the true spirit OF amity and good
/ faith that they have themselves dis
/ played throughout these trying
months: and it is in that belief that |
request that you will authorize me to
supply our merchant ships with de-
fensivc arms, should that become
necessary. and with the means OF
using them, and to employ any other
| instrumentalitieS or methods that
may be necessary and adequate "a
protect our ships and our people in
: their legitimate and peaceful pursuits
, on the seas. | request also that you
will grant me at the same time. along
credit to enable me to provide ade-
( Quate means of protection where they
are lacking. including adequate in
| surance against the present war risks
] have spoken of our commerce and
of the legitimate errands OF our peo-
| pie on the seas, but you will not bs
| misled as to my main thought, the
thought that lies beneath these phrases
and gives them dignity and weight
1T is not OF material interests merely
that we are thinking. II is rather of
/ fundamental human rights, chief ot
all the right of life itself am think.
ing not only OF the rights OF Ameri-
cans to go and come about theil
proper business by way OF the sea
hut also of something much deeper
much more fundamental than that
am thinking of those rights Of hui
manity without which there is nc
, civilization.
My theme is OF great principle. o.
compassion and OF protection which
mankind has sought To throw abou
human lives, the lives of non-com
hatants, the lives of men who ar,
peacefully at work keeping tho in
dUStrial processes of the world uucl
and vital, the lives of women an,
children and of those who supply tn,
labor which ministers 10 their sust"
nance, We are speaking Of no selfsl
material rights. but Of rights which
our hearts support and whose founda
ton is that righteous passion for jus
tice upon which all law. all structure
alike OF family, OF state and OF man
kind must rest. as upon the ultimat,
base of our existence and our liberty
! cannot imagine any man with Amer
lean principles At his heart heStatiu.
10 defend these things