The Green Forest tribune., 1917-12-14


 was thinking, and I am thinking now, not of the smaller and weaker nations alone which need our countenance and support, but also of the great and pow erful nations, and of our present enc mics as well as our present associates in the war. was thinking and am thinking now, of Austria herself, among the rest, as well as of Serbia and of Holand. Justice and equality of rights can be had only at a great price. We are seeking permanent, not temporary, foundations for the peace of the world and must seek this can didly and fearlessly. As always, the right will prove to be expedient.
 Declare War on Austria.
 What shall we do, then, to push this great war of freedom and just to it's righteous conclusion? We must clear away with a thorough hand all impediments to success and we must make every adjustment of law that will facilitate the full and free use of our whole capacity and force as q fighting unit.
 "One very embarrassing obstacle that stands in our way Is that we are at war with Germany but not with her allies. I, therefore, very earnestly rec ommend that the congress immediately declare the United States in a state of war with Austria Hungary. Does it seem strange to you that this should ha fhn conclusion nf tho arpnmppt I have just addressed to you? It is not It is in fact the inevitable logic of what I have said Austria-Hungary is for the time being not her own mis- tress, but simply the vassal of the German government. We must face the facts as they are and act upon them without sentiment in this stern business. The government of Austria Hungary Is not acting upon it's own initiative or in response to the wishes and feelings of its own peoples, but as the instrument of another nation. We must meet its force with our own and regard the central powers as but one. The war can be successfully conducted in no other way.
 As to Turkey and Bulgaria.
 "The same logic would lead also 10 a declaration of war against Turkey and Bulgaria. They also are the tools of Germany. But they are mere tools and do not yet stand in the direct path of our necessary action. We shall go wherever the necessities of this war carry us, but it seems to me that we should go only where immediate and not heed any others.
 "T'he financial and military meas ureS which must be adopted will sug gest themselves as the war and it's un- dertaliipgs develop, but I will take the liberty of proposing to you certain other acts of legislation which seem to me to be needed for .he support of the war and for the re,ease of OUT whole force and energy
 Ut will be necessary tu extend in certain particulars the legislation of the last session With regard to alien enemies; and also necessary. I be- lieve. to create very definite and particular control over the entrance and departure of all persons into ard from the Cnited States.
 'Legislatfon should be enacted de- finfng as crimna; offense every willfuT violation of the presidential proclama- tionS relating to alien enemies promul- gated under section 4067 of the Re vfsed Statutes and providing appropri- ate puniShments and women as well as men, should be included under the terms of the acts placing restraints upon alien enemies. It is likely that as time goes on many alien enemies will be willing to be fed and housed at the expense Of the government in the detention camps, and it would he the purpose of Legislation I have sug- geSted to confine offenders among them in penitentiaftes and other sim liar Institutions where they could be
 Go Further in, Fixing Prices.
 Recent experience has convinced me that the congress must go further in authorizing the government to set limits to prices. The law of supply and demand. l am sorry to say. has been replaced by the law of 'unrestrain- cd selfishness. While we have elin- mated profiteering in several branches of industry. it still runs impudently rampant in others. The farmers for example, complain with great deal of justice, that while the regulation of food prices restricts their incomes. no restraints are placed upon the prices of most of the things they must them selves purchase, and similar iniquftieS obtain on all sides.
 "It Is imperatively necessary that the consideration of the full use of the water power of the country and also the consideration of the systematic and yet economical development of such of the natural resources of the country as are still under the control of the federal government should be immediately resumed and af1irmatfvefy and constructively dealt with at the earliest possible moment. The press ing need of such legislation is daily be- coming more obvious.
 A Word to the Lawmakers.
 "The legislation proposed at the last session with regard to regulated com binations among our exporters, in or der to provide for our foreign trade a more effective organization and meth cd of cooperation, ought by all means