The Keota news., 1917-04-06

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 Intellectual
al best: :u such circumstances and
in the face of such pretensions 1t -
worse than Intellectual; IL is likely
to produce what II was meant
to prevent; 1t is practically certain
to draw US into the war without
either the rights or the effectiver ess
Of beiligerents.
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 our people to be ig-
nored or violated. The wrongs against
which we now array ourselves are not
common wrongs; they cut to the very
roots of human life.
With a profound sense Of the sell
emn and even tragical character OF
the step I am taking and of the grave
responsibilities (which 1t involves. but
in unhesitating obedience to what
deem my constitutional duty. advise
that the Congress declare the recent
course Of the German government to
be in fact nothing less than war
against the government and people Of
the United States: that it formally
accept the status Of bellfgerent which
has thus been thrust upon 1t, and that
It take immediate steps not only to
put the country on a more thorough
state Of defense. but also TO exert all its
power and employ all It's resources to
bring the government Of the German
empire to terms and end the war.
Advises Cooperation With Allies.
What this will involve is clear. It
will involve the utmost practicable CO.
operation in counsel and action with
the governments now at war with Ger
many. and. as incident to that. the ex-
tension to those governments OF the
most liberal financial credits, in order
that our resources may, SO far as pos
sible. be added to theirs.
1t will involve the organization and
mobilization of all the material re-
sources Of the country to supply the
materials OF war and serve the Incl
dental needs Of the nation in the most
abundant. and yet the most economi-
cal and efficient way possible.
It will involve the immediate full
equipment of the navy in all respects.
but particularly In supplying it with
the best means of dealing with the en-
emys submarines.
1t will involve the Immediate addi-
tion to the armed forces OF the United
States already provided for by law in
case OF war. at least 100000 men, who
should. In my opinion, be chosen upon
the principle OF universal liability to
service. and also tha authorization of
subsequent additional increments OF
equal force 80 soon as they may be
needed and can be handled in train
ing.
1t will involve. OF course. the grant
ing Of adequate credits to the govern
ments. sustained. hope, 80 far as they
can equitably be sustained. by the
present generation. by well-conceived
taxation. say sustained 90 far as
may be equitable by taxation because
1t seems to me that 1t would be most
unwise to base the credits which will
now be necessary entirely on monev
borrowed.
1t is our duty. most respectfully
urge. to protect our people 80 far as
we may against the very serious hard
ships and evils which would be likely
to arise out of the initiation which
would be produced by vast loans.
Duty to Aid Nations Now in Field.
In carrying out the measures by
which these things are to be accom-
plfshed we should bear constantly in
mind the wisdom OF interfering as lit
tie as possible in our own preparation
and in the equipment Of our own mill
tAry forces with the duty-for 1t will