Evening star., 1917-02-26
Must Defend q. s. Rights.

No one doubts what it is our duty to
DO. We must defend our commerce
and the lives Of our people in the midst
with discretion. but with clear and
steadfast purpose. Only the method
and the extent remain to be chosen.
upon the occasion, if occasion should
indeed arise
Since II has unhappily proved impos-
sfble to safeguard our neutral rights
by diplomatic means against the un-
warranted infringements they are suf-
fering at the hands of Germany, there
may be no recourse but to armed neu
trality. which we shall know how to
maintain and for which there is abun-
dant American precedent.
It Is devoutly to be hoped that it
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The Amer
lean people do not desire it. and our
desire is not different from theirs.
am sure that they will understand the
spirit in which l am now acting, the
purpose I hold nearest my heart and
would with to exhibit in everything
do. l am anxious that the people of
the nations at war also should under
stand and not mistruSt us. / hope that
need give no further proofs and as
surances than I have already given
throughout nearly three years OF anx-
peace and mean to preserve it for
America a s long as l am able
I am not now proposing or contemplate
ing war or any steps that need lead to it.
merely request that you will accord me
by your own vote and definite bestowaI
the means and the authority to safeguard
in practice the right Of a great people
who are at peace and who are desirous Of
exercising none but the rights Of peace to
follow the pursuits OF peace in quietness
and good wfll-rights recognized time out
Of mind by all the civilized nations Of
the world. No course OF my choosing or
OF their will lead to war War can come
only by the wfllful acts and aggressions Of
others.
You will understand why I can make
no definite proposals or forecasts of ac-
porting authority in the most general
terms The form in which action may
become necessary cannot yet be fore
seen. believe that the people will be
Wiling to trust me to act with re-
straint. with prudence. and in the true
spirit of amity and good faith that they
have themselves displayed throughout
these trying months: and it is in that
belief that ] request that you Will
authorize me to supply our merchant
ships with defensive arms. should that
of using them. and to employ any other
instrumentalities or methods that NAV
be necessary and adequate to protect
our ships and our people in their legiti-
request also that you will grant ma
at the same time. along with the powers
l ask. a sufficient credit to enable me
to provide adequate means of protection
where they are lacking. including ade-
quate insurance against the present
war risks.
Thinking Of Human Rights.
of the legitimate errands of our people
on the seas, but you will not be misled
as to my main thought. the thought
that lies beneath these phrases and
gives them dignity and weight. II ;s
not of material interests merely that
we are thinking. It is. rather, OF funda.
mental human rights. chief Of all the
right of life itself. I am thinking, not
only of the rights of Americans to go
and come about their proper business
by way of the sea, but also of some
thing much deeper, much more funda-
mental than that I am thinking of
those rights of humanity without which
there Is no civilization.
My theme is of those great principles
Of compassion and of protection which
mankind has sought to throw about
human lives, the lives of non-combat-
ants, the lives of men who are peace
fully at work keeping the industrial
processes of the world quick and VITAL
the lives of women and children and Of
those who supply the labor which
ministers to their sustenance. We are
speaking of no selfish material rights.
but of rights which our hearts support
and whose foundation is that righteous
passion for Justice upon which all law.
all structures alike Of family, of state
and OF mankind must rest. as upon the
ultimate base of our existence and our
liberty. / cannot imagine any man
with American principles at his heart
hesitating to defend these things.