The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-26

their vessels at sea without insurance
or adequate protection and the very
serious congestion of our commerce
which has resulted, a congestion
which is growing rapidly more and
more serious every day.
"This, in itself, might ,pres entity 49,
complish, IN effect, what the new Ger
man submarine orders were meant to
accomplish, SO far as we are con-
cerned."
Jointly Servants.
81 feel that I ought, in view of the
fact, to obtain from you full and i'm
mediate assurance Of the authority
which | may need at any moment to
exercise. No doubt already possess
that power without special warrant Of
law, by the plain implication 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 congress are behind me
in whatever it may become necessary
for me to DO. We arc jointly ser
wants Of the people and must act to-
gether and in their spirit so far as we
can divine and interpret it,
Must Defend Rights.
mo 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 meth
Cd and extent remain to be chosen,
upon occasion, if occasion should, in
deed, arise. 5000 * ~
Since it has unhappily proved im-
possible to safeguard neutral rights
by diplomatic means against unWar-
ranted infringements, they are suf-
fering at the hands of Germany.
There may be no recourse but to
armed neutrality, which we shall know
how to maintain and for which there
is abundant American precedent.
This, itself, might presently ac-
complish, in effect, what the new, Ger
man submarine orders we're meant to
accomplish, so far. as we are concern
ed. We can only say therefore, that
the overt act which l have ventured
to hope German commanders would,
in fact, avoid, has not occurred.
Exercise Discretion. r =.
'But while this is happily true, it
must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications
and expressions Of purpose on the
part of the German press and German
authorities which have increased rath-
err than lessened the impression that,
if our ships and our people are spared
it will be because of fortunate circum-
stances or because commanders of
German submarines which they may
happen to encounter exercise an I'M
expected discretion and restraint rath-
err than because Of the instructions
under which these commanders are
acting.
Foolish to Deny.
at would he foolish to deny that
the situation is fraught with the gray
est possibilities and dangers. No
man can fail to see that
the necessity for definite action may
come at any time, if we are in fact,
and not in word, merely to defend our
rights as a neutral ma
ton. 1t would be most imprudent to
be unprepared.
Devoutly to Be Hoped.
ut is devoutly to be hoped that it'll
will not be necessary to put armed |
force anywhere into action. The Am
erican people do not desire it, and our
desire is not different from theirs.
81 am not proposing or contemplate
ing any steps. that may lead to it.. | |
merely request that you will accord
me by your own vote the means and
the authority to safeguard in practice
the right Of a great people who are at
peace and who afe-slesirOus Of exer-
cising none bu the rights of peace to !
follow the pursuit of peace in quiet