South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-26

the lives OF the crew. as I'm the case
OF the Frye. were safeguarded With
reasonable care The case OF the
Law. which was carrying lemon boz
slaves 10 Palermo. disclosed a ruth
lessness Of method which deserves
grave condemnation but was &C
companied by no circumstances
which might have not been expected
at any time in connection with the
use Of the submarine against mer-
chantmen as the German govern
ment has used 10
Congestion Il Serious.
I'm summing up. therefore. the
situation we find ourselves in with
regard to the actual conduct Of the
German submarine warfare ageinst
commerce and its effects upon our
own ships and people is substan-
tally the same that 30 was when Q
addressed YOU on the third Of Feb
ruary except for the tying up OF
our shipping in our own ports be
cause Of the unwillingness of our
ship owners 10 risk 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 presently accomplish. In ef-
feet. what the new German sub
marine orders were meant 10 ac-
complish. so far as We are concerned.
We can only say therefore that the
overt act which I have ventureh 20
hope the German commander Vrr'd
i'm fact avoid has not occurred.
But. while this ifs happily true
IL must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications
and expressions OF purpose on the
part Of the German press and the
German authorities which have in
creased raher than lessened the i'm
pressions that. III our ships and our
people are spared d. will be because
of fortunate circumstances or be
cause the commanders OF the Ger
man submarines which they NAV
happen 20 encounter exercise an I'M
expected discretion and restraint
rather than because OF The instruc-
tions under which those command
ere are acting 70 would be foolish
10 deny that the situation is fraught
with the gravest possibilities and
dangers. 40 thoughtful man can
fail % see that the necessity Of dehn
tie action may come al any time. IN
we are in fact and not in word
merely. 10 defend our elementary
rights as a neutral nation II would
be most imprudent 20 be unprepared.
Asks For Authority.
81 cannot in such circumstan ce-
be unmindful of the fact chat the
expiration term % the presenf
congres, IS Immediately az hand. o.
constitutional Limitation and that b.
would i'm al likelihood require an
unusual length OF time 90 assemble
and organize the congress which is
10 succeed d.. feel that ought in
view of that obtain OF you fun and
immediate assurance OF the author
itv which I may need ~ any moment
TO exercise 80 doubt already
possess that authority without spec
ial warrant bv law. by the plain i'm
plcation Of ms constitutional duties
and powers. but ] prefer in the
present circumstance. nor 20 act
upon my constitutional duties and
powers: but. T prefer. in the present
circumstances. not 20 act upon zen
eral implication ] wish 20 feel that
the authority and the power Of the
are behind me In whatever
Il NAV become necessary for me to
do
we are Jointly the servants u
tn. people and must act togethSr
and in their spirit so far as We can
define and interpret 30.
Must Defend Commerce.
NO one doubts what b. Is our
durv 20 do So We must defend our
and the lives OF our PEG
pla .n the midst Of the present try
ing circumstance. with discretion.
hut with clear and steadfast purpose.
only the method and the extent re-
main 70 be chosen upon the occa-
sion. II occasion should indeed arise.
Since 20 has unhappy proved I'm
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