The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-03
DRESIDENT WILSON'S S address to Con-
r. gress follows:

DRESIDENT WILSON'S address to Con-
gress follows:
have called the Congress into ex-
traordinary session because there are serious.
very serious. choices of policy to be made. and
made Immediately, which 1t was neither right
constitutionally permissible that I should
assume the responsibility Of making.
On the third of February last officially laid
before you the extraordinary announcement of
the Imperial German Government that on and
after the first day Of February 1t was its pur-
pose to put aside all restraints of law or of hui
manity and use its submarines to sink every
vessel that sought TO approach either the ports
Of Great Britain and ireland or the western
coasts Of Europe or any Of the ports controlled
by the enemies of Germany within the Meditcr-
ranean That had seemed to be the object .of
the German submarine warfare earlier in the
war but since April Of last year the Imperial
Government had somewhat restrained the COM
manders OF its undersea craft in conformity
with its promise then given to us that pas
scnGer boats should not be sunk, and that due
warning would be given to all other vessels
which its submarines might seek to destroy
when resistance was offered or escape at
tempted and care taken that their crews were
given at least fair chance to save their lives
in their open boats.
The precautions taken incaSrc and
haphazard enough. proved in distressing
instance after instance in the progress OF the
cruel and unmanly business, but certain de-
gree Of restraint was observed.
nc new pOuCy Uas swept every
aside. Vessels Of every kind. whatever their
flag. their character. their cargo their destina.
ton, their errand. have been ruthessly sent to
the bottom without warning. and without
thought OF help or mercy for those on board,
the vessels OF friendly neutrals along with those
Of bellgcrents. Even hospital ships aud ships
carrying relief TO the sorely bcrcaved and
stricken people Of Belgium, though the latter
we're provided with safe conduct through the
prescribed areas by the German Government
Aka1f md latin skaAk NJ tStnl nlahl
marks OF identity. have been sunk with the
same reckless lack Of compassion or Of prin.
ciple.
/ was for little while unable to believe
that such things would. in fact. be done by
any Government that had hitherto subscribed
to the humane practices OF civilized nations
international law had its origin in the attempt
to set up some law which would be respected
and observed upon the seas, where no nation
had right OF dominion and where lay the free
highways OF the world. By painful stage after
stage has that law been built up with meacra
enough results, indeed, after all accom-
plished that could be accomplished. but always
with a clear vicw at least OF what the heart
and conscience OF mankind demanded.
This minimum OF right the German Govern
ment has swept aside under the plea of re-
taliation and necessity, and because it had no
weapons which it could use at sea except these,
which It is impossible to employ 1t is em-
poying them without throwing to the winds
all scruples of humanity or Of respect for the
understandings that We're supposed to undcrc
the intercourse OF the world
am not now thinking OF the loss OF prop
erty involved. immense and serious that is,
but only OF the wanton and wholesale destruc-
ton OF the lives OF on-combatants. men.
women and children engaged in pursuits which
have always in the darkest periods OF
modern history. been deemed innocent and
legitimate.
Property can be paid for; tho lives Of peace.
ful and Innocent DeOple cannot he.
The present German warfare against COM
mcrce Is a warfare against mankind. II is a
against all nations. American ships have
been sunk. American lives taken, in ways which
ii has stirred us very deeply to learn of. but
the ships and people of other neutral and
friendly nations have been sunk and over
whclmcd in the waters in the same way. There
has been no discrimination. The challenge is
to all mankind. Each nation mus, decide FOR
itself how IL will meet IL. The choice make
for ourselves must be made with moderation
OF counsel and Il tempcratcness of judgment be-
fitting our character and our motives rs Il
nation. We must put excited feeling away.
Our motive will not he revenge or the vic.
torlous assertion OF the ply sIcai might Of the
nation, but only the yindlcatiOn Of right. OF
human right Of which we are only n single
champion.
When I addressed the Congress on the
twenty-siSth OF February last thought that ii
would suffice to assert our neutral rights with
arms, our right to use the against unlaw-
full interference, our right to keep people
safe against unlawful violence. But armed neu-
trality, it now appears, is impracticabe. Be
cause submarines are in effect outlaws wher
used the German submarines have been used
against merchant shipping it is impossible Il
defend ships against their attacks as the law
OF nations has assumed that merchantmen
would defend themselves against priyateers OF
cruisers, visible craft giving chase upon the
open
1t is common prudence in such circum
stances, grim necessity indeed to endeavor t.
destroy them before they have shown their owr
intention. They must be dealt with upon sight
If dealt with at all