The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-03
America Will Battle For Humanity

America Will Battle For Humanity
 In asking Congress declare that state of exists be-
 tween the United States and Germany President Wilson makes
 that actuated only by the principles of right and justce-that is the German people with winch we have quarrel but ruthless autocrac government which has dsregarded of nations and has placed the democ racies of the world in attitude of f-defense
 It question of property los although that has reached of money but the lives of men, and children who have been the victims ot Germany submarine of peaceful nation have been murdered the high while engaged in pursuits which have heretofore been recognized legitimate by civilized gov ernments Property Mr. Wilson says can be paid for;
 the lives peaceful and innocent people cannot be- The German submarine campaign against commerce IS war fare against manind' This the pointthe crux of the whole matter-which has consistently ignored by the pacsts who have sought to show that England IS equally cupable with Germany in violating American rights.
 While counseng moderation and temperate judgment be- fitting the traditions the people, who have always chaoed the of the weak and have consistently advo caed since the Revolution the freedom and equality of kind Mir. Wilson emphasizes the fact that shall not be fighting of revenge We shall vndcate the rights of humanity who long groaned under the oppression of autocraceshe rule of few millions of their fellows entitled equal privileges and equal voice in the ment under which they live.
 The declaration that Germany would regard all armed chanmen outlaws dsmsses the question of armed neutral
 y It is impossible cope with submarines under any exist international laws Neutras denied the right to defend themselves yet their vessels attacked and sunk without warning It is only by the merest chance that part of the and passengers escape deah Already the number of lives lost in this way result of attacks neutral ses has reached alarming total
 After every effort in his power had been made to bring Germany to her senses Mr. Wilson abandoned his policy of
 watchul wang with the consciousness that the American people, who have suffered much with great forude and tience could not be blamed for with Germany He is
 right in thinking that do not choose the path of submis sion Every patriotic citizen realizes that great own have been there millions the battling for the liberty of mankind This marks the final struggle between democracy and aurocacy America the greatest democracy the globe must stand with the peoples who fighting for the ideals she cherishes
 The United States will extend liberal credits the allies that the of this country help to shorten the The armed forces of the nation should immediately be in creased by 0000 the President advises and this num- Der should be raised to 100000 practicable they will be needed to safeguard America every danger whether developed in this hemisphere abroad
 The Presidents address yesterday profound historic document perhaps the abest of his entire career It is an indictment of Germany which sweeps away suberuge and pre- tense It the world that we are not acuated by hatred against the German people, but that we have at last decided that the only deal with lawes government running amuck to use force devoting our vast resources and ves necessary to uphold those principles upon which the American government is founded