Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-27

possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infringements they
are suffering at the hands OF Ger
many there may be no recourse but
to, armed neutrality, which we shall
know how to maintain and for which
there is abundant American precedent,
1T is devoutly TO be hoped that
it will not be necessary to put armed
forces anywhere into action. The
American people do not desire it and
our desire is not different from theirs.
| am sure that they will understand
the spirit in which am now acting,
the purpose ] hold nearest my heart
and would wish to exhibit in every
thing | do. | am anxious that the
people of the nations at war also
should understand and not mistrust
US. hope that | need give no fur
Their proofs and assurances than |
have already given throughout the
nearly three years OF anxious pa
tience that | am the friend of peace
and mean to preserve it for America
so long as | am able. ! am not now
proposing or contemplating war, or
any steps that need lead to It. !
merely request that you will accord
me by your own vote and definite be-
stowal the means and the authority
to safeguard in practice the right of
a great people who are at peace and
who are DESTROYS OF exercising none
but the rights of peace to follow the
pursuit Of peace in quietness and good
will--rights recognized time out Of
mind by all the civilized nations of
the world. No course of my choosing
or of theirs will lead to war. War can
come only by the wilful acts and ag-
gressions Of others.
Sinews of War Needed.
you will understand why can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts OF action now and must ask for
your supporting authority in the most
general terms. The form in which
action may become necessary cannot
yet be foreseen. believe that the
people will be willing to trust me to
act with restraint, with prudence and
in the true spirit of amity and good
faith that they have themselves dis
played throughout these trying
months and it is in that belief that
/ request that you will authorize me
to supply our merchant ships with de.
fensive arms should that become nee
essary and with the means Of using
them and to employ any other instru-
mentalities or methods that may be
necessary and adequate to protect our
ships and our people in their legiti'
mate and peaceful pursuits on the
seas. request also that you will
grant me at the same time, along
with the powers | ask, sufficient
credit to enable me to provide ade'
quate means of protection where they
are lacking, including adequate insur'
ance against the present war risks.
Human Rights Paramount.
II have spoken of our commerc,
| and of the legitimate errands OF oul
people on the seas, but you will no
be misled as to my main thought, tn,
thought that lies beneath thes,
phrases and gives them dignity ant
weight. II 10 not of material interes
merely that we are thinking. 1t j!
rather of fundamental human rights
chief Of all the right Of life itself.
| Il am thinking not only Of tn
rights Of Americans to 60 and COM
about their proper business by wa,
Of the seas, but also Of something
much deeper, much more Fundamental
than that. ] am thinking of thos
rights of humanity without whicl
there 10 no civilization. Ny theme
i of those great principles Of compass
sion and of protection which mankin,
has sought to throw about humal
lives, the lives of noncombatants, tn
lives Of men who are peacefully a
work keeping the industrial processe
of the world quick and vital, the live
Of women and children and of thos
who supply the labor which minister
to their sustenance. We are speaking
Of no selfish, material rights, but 0
rights which our hearts support an
whose foundation is that righteou
passion for justice upon which Al
law, all structures alike Of family Q
state and of mankind, must rest, a
upon the ultimate base of our exist
ence and our liberty. cannot imae
inc any man with American principle
at his heart hesitating to defend thes
, things"