The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-03
Of right, of human right, of which W
are only a single champion.
Armed Neutrality Fails.

are only a single champion.
Armed Neutrality Fails.
when l addressed the congress on
the Goth of February last, ! thought
that it would suffice to assert our neu-
trail rights with arms. our right to use
the seas against unlawful interference.
our right to Keep our people safe
against unlawful violence. But armed
neutrality, 1t now appears, is imprac-
ticable because submarines are in eff
feet outlaws when used as the German
submarines have been used against
merchant shipping. 1t Is impossible to
defend ships against their attacks as
the law Of nations has assumed that
merchantmen would defend themselves
against privatcer cruisers, visible craft
giving chase upon the open sen. 1t is
common prudence in such circum-
stances, grim necessity. indeed, to en-
deavor to destroy them before they
have shown their intention. They must
he dealt with upon sight if dealt with
, at all.
"The German government denies the
right of noutrals to use arms ut all
within the areas Of the sea which it
has prescribed. even in the defense OF
rights which no modern pubicist has
ever before questioned their right to
defend. The intimation is conveyed
that the armed guards, which we have
placed on our merchant ships will be
treated as beyond the pale of law and
subject to be dealt with as pirates
would be. Armed neutrality is inef-
fectual enough at best; in such cir
cumstances and in the face of such
pretensions. it is wohse than ineffec-
tual: it is likely at once to produce wha,
it was meant t" prevent; it is practi-
cally certain to draw us into the war
without either the rights or the effec-
tiveness of belligerents.
There is one choice we cannot make
we are incapable of making. We will
not choose the path of submission and
suffer the most sacred rights of our
nation and people to be ignored or
violated. The wrongs against which
we now array ourselves are not com
mon wrongs; they cut to the very
roots of human life.
with a profound sense of the sol
emn and even tragical character of the
| step | am taking and of the grave re-
| sponsibilitics which it involves, but in
unhesitating obedience to what / deem
| my constitutional duty, ] advise that
| the congress declare the recent course
| of the imperial German government tc
| be in fact nothing less than wal
! against the government and people OF
the United States; that it formally ac-
| cept the status of bclligerents Which
! has thus been thrust upon it and tina
! it take immediate steps not only tc
put the country in a more thorough
| state of defense, but also to exert al
Tits power and employ all it's resources
ito bring the government of the Ger.
man empire to terms ana end the war
| Need Action in Unity.
! What this will involve is clear. |
| will involve the utmost practicable 60
| operation in counsel and action will
| the governments now at war with Ger
many and as incident to that, the OK
! tension to those governments Of th
most liberal financial credits, in ordc
that our resources may, so far as pos
! sible, be added to theirs. 1t will inVolN
| the organization and mobilization q
all the material resources of the cuun
| try to supply the materials of war AN
serve the incidental needs of the ma
ton in the most abundant and yet tn
most economical and efficient way pos
siblc. 1t viii involve the immediat
fun equipment of the navy in all re
sccts, but particularly in supplying
with the best means of dealing with tn
encmy'S submarines. 1t will inVOlv
the Immediate addition to the armc
forces Of the United States alread
provided for by law in case of wa
at least 500, 900 men who should, in m
opinion, be chosen upon the princip
of universal liability TO service and a
so the authorization of subsequent &C
diuonal incremcnts of equal force S
, soon as they may be needed and can !
handled in training.
I 1t will involve also, of course, II
6 granting Of adequate credits to II
. | government sustained, ] hope, so far ;
f they can oquitably be sustained by Il
- present generation by well conceive
e. taxation. ! say, sustained so far
n may be equitable by taxation, becau
O it seems to me that it would be mo
q unWiSc TO base the credits which w
f. now be necessary entirely on mon,
@ borrowed. II is our duty, | most r
d specially urge, to protect our Poop
g rs for as we may against the very S
l. riOus hardships and evils which wou
IT. b." likely to arise out of the inflati,
= which would be produced by vast loal
II A Practical Dutv