The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-02

owners to risk their vessels at sea
without insurance or adequate pro-
lection and the very serious conges-
ton Of our commerce which has re-
suited, 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 COLI
cerned. We can only say, therefore,
that the overt act which | have VEN
tured to hope the German command
ers would in fact avoid was not Nc-
CURED.
Adding to Danger.
But while this is happily true. it
must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications
and expressions Of purpose on the
German authorities which have in
creased rather than lessened the i'm
J preston that if our ships and Our
people are spared it will be because
OF fortunate circumstances or De
cause the commanders OF the German
; submarines which they may happen to
encounter exercise an unexpected dis
cretion and restraint rather than be
cause Of the instructions under Whic!.
. those commanders are acting.
1T would be foolish to deny than
i the situation is fraught with the gray
est possibilities and dangers. No
thoughtful man can fail to see that
the necessity for definite action mag
come at any time, if We are in fact,
and not in word merely, to defend
our elementary rights as Q neutral
nation. 1t would be most imprudent
to be unprepared.
81 can not in such circumstances
! be uEmindful Of the fact that the ex-
! piration of the term OF the present
! congress is Immediately at hand, by
constitutional Imitation; and that il
would in all likelihood require an ul-
usual length of time to assemble and
organize the congress which is to sue
ceed it. | feel that | ought, in view
I of that fact, to obtain from you full
and immediate assurance of the au-
thority which I may need at any mo-
ment to exercise.
"No doubt l already possess that
authority without special warrant Of
law, by the plain implication Of my
constitutional duties and powers, s.lt
] prefer, in the present circumstances,
! wish to feel that the authority and
the power of the congress are behind
me in whatever it may become neces-
sary for me to do. We are jointly
the servants Of the people and must
act together and ip their spirit, SO
far as We can divine and interpret it,
Duty is Plain.
"No one doubts what it 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 be
chosen, upon the occasion, if occasion
should indeed arise
"Since it has unhappily proved I'm
possible to safeguard our neutral
the unwarranted infringements they
are suffering at the hands of Ger
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
1T is deYoutly to be hoped that 1t
will not be necessary 10 put armed
force anywhere into action. The Amer
ican people do. not desire it and our
desire snot different from theirs. 1
am sure that they will understand the
spirit in which l am now acting, the
purpose 1 hold nearest my heart and
would wish to exhibit in everything
/ do.
81 am anxious that Nthe people OF
the nations at war also should under
stand and not mistrust us. I hope
that I need give nc further proofs and
assurances than I have already given
throughout nearly three years of anx-
ious patience that l am the friend OF
peace and mean to preserve 1t for
America 80 long as I am able.
81 am not now proposing or con-
tenlplating war or any steps that need
lead to it. 1 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 a great people who love
peace and who are desirous 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 choosing or of theirs will lead
to war. War can come only by the
wilful acts and aggressions Of others.
Can Speak Only Generally.
! "You will understand why l can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts of action now and must ask