New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-17

question that Representative Dies
asked the gentleman from Illinois:
IF some nation in Europe involved
commerce off the seas and declare
that we should no longer conduct our
commerce in obedience to the law of
nations, does he (Mr Mann) think we
request or warning, to declare our
rights to commerce."
Mr.. Mann did not answer the ques-
ton, except to insinuate he did not
know what he would do should a spe-
cifc case arise. AS If one had not
already arisen. AS if we are not now
confronted with a condition when
has no approach to a theory. Our
commerce is practically driven from
the high seas. There is blockade
Instituted against it which has prac~
tically held American ships in their
ports for two weeks or more. Those
that have ventured on the high seas
have done so knowing they might Se
sunk: without warning at any moment
by some submarine commander.
The American people do not want
to be drawn into this war. But they
will not stand idly by and allow their
legal rights to be trampled under foot
by an arrasant nation Of Europe, how
ever great the danger of becoming
complicated in European politics.
Representative Mann says 1T is to our
interest to remain the dominant force
in the civilization of the American
continent. True. But how long does
he think we will remain dominant
force" if we allow some staggering
bullying, war-crazed nation to walk
all over us? The moment we neglect
to protect our rights, we begin to sink
into despicable state. Self respect
goes out the window when cowardice
enters the front door. And when self
respect goes the end is at hand
There has never been an instance
in the history of the world where
other as the United States has been
with Germany during the past three
years. For two years of that time
Americas patience has equalled the
slaughtered on the high seas, our
commerce has been destroyed to great
extent, our factories have been blown
up, our industries crippled, our rights
trampled under foot. We have toll
Grated all these things, entering a
protest here, another there, until the.
time has come for halt.
There is no doubt about the posi-
ton of the United States. We know
where we stand. Germany knows
where we stand. We know how we
arrived in our present state of mind
Germany knows how we got there.
We know what we must do If further
depredations go on. Germany knows.
We know we will not make move,
which will draw our fire. Germany
knows what that overt act will mean.
The situation is extremely simple.
There will be no war of conquest on
the part of the United States. If
there Is war 1t must be at Germany's
initiative. The power lies in her hands
either to make a war with us or to
avert one. Our rights must be main
tanned. If peaceful methods are to
be found wanting, the only resort is
to forcc. If it comes to "show-
down" we will not enter upon such
serious business with the thought adj
vanced by Mr.. Mann that I'VE have
the duty of regulating the Old World
and its conduct. On the contrary,
we will go in determined to see that
no nation of the Old World attempts
to disrupt the regular order of things
in the New World nor interfere with
it's lawful conduct. "-.