The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-02-27

pie and must act together.
Their spirit. 50 far as We can di-
vine and interpret it must be car
ried out by u-. No doubt this is our
duty so to do We must defend our
commerce and the lives of our peo-
pie in the midst of the present try
ing circumstances, with discretion
but with clear and steadfast pur-
poses. Only the method and extent
remain to be chosen. upon the occa-
SIGN, if occasion should indeed arise
Since it has unhappily prved i'm
possible 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 but
to armed neutrality, which we shall
know how to maintain and for when
there is abundant American prece-
dent.
1T is devoutly to be hoped that il
will not be necessary 10 put armei
force anywhere into action. The
American Cple do not desire it and
our desire is not different from
theirs. | am sure that they will un-
derstand the spirit in which I am
new acting, the purpose ] hold near
est my heart and which | wish 10
exhibit in everything | do. | am
anxious that the people of the na-
tions shall understand and not mis-
trust us. | hope that | need give no
further proofs and assurances than
II have already given throughout
nearly three years cf anxious pa
thence that I am the friend of peace
and mean TO preserve it for America
SC long as | am able | am not now
any steps thai need lead to it.
merely request that you will accord
line by your own vote and unit means
to combat the practice of a great
people against a nation which do.
sires to be at peace; who are desir-
bus of exercising none but the peace
to follow the pursuit of peace in
ouietness and good will rights rec.
ognized time out of mind by all the
IciviliZed nations of the world M
course Of my choosing or of their
will lead to war. War can come
only by the willful acts and agrees
, sicns Of others.
, You will understand why | can
5 make no definite proposals or fore
} casts. of action now. and must ask
| for your supporting authority in
, the most general terms. | believe
: that the people will be willing tc
TRUST me to act with restraint, with
prudence and in the true spirit OF
t amity and good faith that they hav,
t themselves displayed throuehou'
these trying months; and 1t is il
that belief that | request that yol
will authorize me to supply our mer
chant ships with defensive arms
should that become necessary an
with the means of using them ant
ito employ any other instrumental
ties or methods that may he neces
sary and adequate to protect on
ships and our people in their legiti
mate and peaceful pursuits on thu
seas. | request also that you viii
grant me at the same time, aloni
with the powers | ask, a sufilcien
credit to enable me to provide AIDE
cuate means of protection wher
they are lacking, including adequat
assurance against the present risks
) Something Greater Than More Trad
, II have spoken of our commerc
and of the legitimate errands of on
people on the seas, but you will no
be misled as to my main thought
the thought that lies beneath thes
phrases and gives them dignity an,
, weight. 1t is not eff national inter
, ests merely that we are thinking. !
. is rather of fundamental huma'
rights, chief of all the right of lif
, itself l am thinking not only O
/, the rights of Americans to 90 an
come about their proper business b
way of the sea- bnt also of somethin
/ much deeper. much mere fundameu
7 tai than that.
Il am thinking Of those rights q
humanity without which there is n
!. civilization. My theme is of thos
: great principles cf protection whic
rrankind has sought 10 throw abou
human lives. the lives of non-con
r batants. the lives of men who ar
9 peacefully at work keeping the in
l dustrial processes of the world quic
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