The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-03
WILSON ASKS CONGRESS TO DECLARE THAT WAR EXISTS;
CALLS FOR AN ARMY FORCE OF AT LEAST 500, 900 MEN,
BOTH HOUSES READY TO GRANT FULL DEMANDS TODAY;
UBOAT SINKS ARMED AMERICAN VESSEL II MEN MISSING
Nv VESSEL; II MEN MISSING
PRESIDENT WILSON'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

organized power. always lying in wait to ac-
complish know not what purpose there can
he no assured security for the democratic Gov
ernments of the world
We are now about tn accept the gage OF
battle with this natural foe to liberty and shall
II necessary. spend the whole force Of the ma.
tion 10 check and nullify its pretensiOns and Its
power. We are glad. now that see the facts
with no veil Of false prctencc about them, to
fight thus for the ultimate peace Of the world
and for the liberation of It's peoples, the Ger.
man peoples included: for the rights OF nations
great and small and the privilege OF men every.
where 10 choose their way OF life and OF obcdi.
cnce. The world must be made safe for de.
mocracy. Its peace must he planted upon the
trusted foundations Of political liberty.
WE HAVE no SELFISH ENDS TO
SERVE. WE DESIRE NO CONQUEST. NO
DOMINION. WE SEEK no INDEMNITIES
FOR OURSELVES, no MATERIAL COM.
PENSATION FOR THE SACRIFICES WE
SHALL FREELY MAKE. WE ARE But ONE
OF THE CHAMPIONS or THE RIGHTS OF
WHEN THOSE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN MADE
AS SECURE As THE FAITH AND THE
FREEDOM OF THE NATION CAN MAKE
THEN.
Just because fiSht without rancor and
without selfish objects seeking nothing for our
selves but what shall wish to share with all
free peoples we shall feel confident conduct
our operations hellicerents without passion
and ourselves observe with proud punctilio the
principles of right and OF fair play profess
TO be fighting for.
have said nothing Of the Governments al.
lied with the Imperial Government Of Germany
because they have not made war upon
challenged us TO defend our right and our honor.
The Austro-liungarian Government has in
decd avowed its unqualified Endorsement and
acceptance of the reckless and iawlcss subma-
rlne warfare adoptcd-now without disguise By
the imperial German Government. and IL has
therefore not hoen possible for this Government
to receive Count Tarnowski. the Ambassador
recently accredited to this Government by the
Imperial and Royal Government OF Austria
Hungary; but that Government has not
tually engaged in warfare against citizens of
the United states on the seas. and ] take the
liberty, for the present least of postponns a
discussion OF our relations with the authorities
at Vienna.
We enter this var oni:, where arc clearly
forced into il because there arc no other means
of defending rights
It will be all tho for us to conduct
ourselves as bcl=Crcnts in high spirit OF
right and fairness because we act without ami
mus not In ermity toward a people or with the
desire 20 bring ans injury or disadvantage upon
them. but only in armed opposition 10 ire
sponsiblc Government which has thrown aside
all considerations Of humanity and OF right and
is running Gmuck.
We are. LEI me say again, tho sincere friend.
OF tho German people ami shall desire nothing
so much as the early rccstabshmcnt OF init
mate relations of mutual advantage between
uS-howevor hard it may he cor them for the
time being, to believe that this is sDokep from,
our hearts. We have borne with their nreseu.
Government through all these bitter months
hecnuSe of that fricndship--cxcrcising pa
tcnce and f"rhearancc which would otht tryise
nave been impossible.
We shall happily stu have A., onpor,,,,,,,,.
TO prove that friendship in on, dali, attitude
ana actions toward the millions OF men and
women OF German birth and native sympathy
WHO live amongst and share our life and
we shall be proud TO prove II toward all who
are" III fact, loyal to their neiS lbors and to the
Government in the hour Of test, Thcy arc
most OF them. as true and loyal Americans az
II they had never known any other fcalty or
allegiance. They Will be prompt to stand with
us in rchukinG and restraining th, few who
may be of i different mind and purpose II
there should he dsloyalty /, will be dealt VITA
"ith firm hand of stern repression; but n
It lifts its head at all, it will lift it only here
and there and without countenance except from
laWless and malignant few
II Is u distressing and oppressive dutv gan
tIcmen or tho Congress. which ! have performed
In thus addressing you. There are Il may he
many months Of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead Of
us. II Is u fearful thing to lead this great.
peaceful people into war, into the most terrible
and disastrous OF oil wars. civilization Itself
seeming to he In the balance. But the right Is
more precious than peace. and we shall light
Tor the things which we have always carried
nearest our hearts-fOr demOcracy Tor the
right OF those who submit to authority to ha, G
voice In their own governments for the rights
and liberties Of small nations. for "A universal
dominion OF right by such n concert Of free peo.
pies as shall bring peace and safety TO all ma.
tions and make the world itself at last free
To such task we can dedicate our lives and
our fortunes everything that We are and eyerv
thing that we have. with the pride of those who
know that the day has come when America 10
privileged to spend her blood and her might for
the principles that gave her birth and hanpiness
and the peace which she has treasured cod
helping her. she can do no other