Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-03-01

IypIn& up OF our shipping In u owl
ports because OF the unwillingness oil
our shipownsrs to risk their vessels
at sea withoat insurance or adequate
protection and the very serious con,
gestion OF III commerce which has
resulted, 4 congestion whiah Ia grow.
Ing rapidly more and mor serious
every day.
This In itself might presently &C,
complish, In effect, what the new Ger.
man submarine orders were meant to
accomplish, SO far as we are con.
cerned. We can only say therefore
that the overt act, which | have ven
tured to hope the German command
ers would In fact avoid, has not oc
| Cured.
Escapes Due to Chance.
But while this Ia happily true. II
must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications and
expressions Of purpose on the part Of
authorities which have increased ratb
or than lessened the impression that.
II our ships and our people are spared
IT will be because of fortunate circum
stances or because the commanders
OF the German submarine which they
may happen to encounter exercise all
unexpected discretion and restraint
rather than because of the instruc.
tons under which those commanders
are acting.
1T would be foolish to deny that
the situation IL fraught with the grav-
est possibilities and dangers. No
thoughtful man can fail to see that
the necessity for definite action may
come at any time, II we are in fact
and not In word merely to defend our
elementary rights as a neutral nation
It would be most impudent to be IN.
pr epared.
Asks Full Authority.
Il cannot In such circumstances b.
unmindful Of the fact that the expira
tion of the term of the present Con.
gress is Immediately at hand by con
siitutional limitations. and that II
would In all likelihood require an tn
usual length OF time to assemble and
hSoiaAE1 ~ 1SiiEA ISH wHitH aHIetuN
1t.
Il feel that | ought In view of that
fact, to obtain from you full ana i'm
mediate assurance OF the authority
which ! may need at any moment to
exercise. No doubt | already possess
that power without special warrant o.
'aw, by the plain indication Of mv
constitutional duties and powers; but
| msfer In the present circumstances
lot to act upon general implication.
| wiah to feel that the authority ana
power Of Congress are behind me In
whatever Ii may become necessary
for me to do. We are Jointly the
servants Of the people and must act
together and In their spirit so far az
we a divine and interpret 1t,
To Stand S~teadfast.
mo n doubts what 1t Is our duty
to do. We must defend our commerce.
and the lives OF our people In the
midst OF the present trying circum.
stances. with discretion. but witt
clear and steadfast purpose. Only the
method and the extent remain to be
chosen. upon the occasion, Ii occasion
should indeed arise. =.
Since II has unhappily proved i'm
possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infringements thel
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 IL abundant American prece
dent.
Hope to Avoid Conflict.
1T Is devoutly to be hoped that II
Will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The,
American people do not desire 1t ant
our desire Ia not different from theirs.
| am sure that they will understand
the spirit In which l am now acting
the purpose | hold nearest my heart
and | would wish to exhibit In every
thing / do. l am anxious that the PEG
pie Of the nations at war also should
understand and not mistrust us. |
hope that 4 need gise no further
proofs and assurances than ! have
already given throughout nearly three,
years Of anxious patience that | am
the friend Of peace and mean TO pre-
serve II for America so long az | am
able. l am not now proposing or con-.
templating war or any steps that neet
lead to Ii,
Il merely request that you will &C.
cord me by your own vote and definite
bestowal OF the means and the au
thority TO safeguard In practice the
right OF u great people who are al
peace and who are DESTROYS of exer.
cising none but the rights of peace to
follow the pursuit of peace in quiet
ness 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 t.
war, War can come only by the will
full acts and ~aggressions of others.
Cart Make Known Course.
You will understand why l can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts OF action now and must ask 70,
your supporting authority In the most
general terms, The form In which