The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-02-26
CONTINUED FROM PAGE l
ASKS power TO DEFEND U. S.


ity. even. which might interfere
with their objects
That policy was forthwith put
into practice II has now been In
active execution for nearly four
weeks.
American Ships Timid
Its practical results ar. not yet
fully disclosed The commerce OF
other neutral nations IL suffering
severely. but not. perhaps. very
much NOR. severely than u was
already suffering bcfor. the LIST OF
February. when tho new policy oi
tho imperial government Was put
Into operation.
we have enlisted the eoopera.
ton OF other neutrals to prevent
these deprrdationE. but 40 FAR none
OF them has thought II wise To- join
us In any common course OF action.
our own commerce has suffered
ia suffering. rather In apprehension
than fact: rather because SO many
OF our ships are ilmidiy keeping 10
their home ports than because
American ships have been sunk.
A Case Of Ruthiessness
Two American vessels have
been sunk. the iIouAatonic and the
Lyman NJ Law The case OF the
iiousa,onic. which Was carrying
fo0dH;uffa consigned TO a London
firm. vas essentially like the case
Of III. Frye. In which. II will be re
called. the German government ad.
mit,ed It's liability for damages.
and the lives Of the crew as In the
case Of the FRYE. were safeguarded
with reasonable care.
THE case OF the Law, which was
carrying lemon box slaves to Pa
lermo. disclosed ruthlcssncaH OF
method which deserves grave con
demnatlon. but vas accompanied
By no circumstances which might
not have been expected at ans
time In connection with the use OF
the submarine against merchant
men as the German government
has used H.
Commerce 10 conpes,ed
In sum. therefore, the situation
we find ourselves In with regard
TO the actual conduct of the Ger
man submarine warfare against
commerce and it's effects upon our
own ships and people Is substan.
TALLY the same that Il was when !
addressed you on the third OF Feb
ruary, except for the TYING no OF
our shipping In our own ports be-
cause OF the unwillingness Of our
ship owners 20 risk their vessels nj
sea without insurance or adequate
protection and the very serious
congestion OF our commerce which
has resulted. n congestion which is
growing rapidly more and more
serious every day.
This in itself might presently
accomplish. in effect. what the
new German submarine orders
we're meant 20 accomplish. 10 far
as We are concerned. We can only
say. therefore. that the overt act,
which ! have ventured TO hope the
German commanders would In
fact avoid. has not occurred.
unpreparedness lnprudent
But while this. happily. Is true
IL must be admitted there are GER
tain Indications OF expressions oi
purpose on the part OF the German
press and the German authorities
which have increased. rather than
lessened. the impression that. II
our ships and our people are spar
cd. II was because OF fortunate
circumstances or because the com
manders OF the submarines which
they may happen TO encounter may
exercise an unexpected discretion
and restraint. rather than because
OF the instructions under which
those commanders are acting.
III would be foolish to deny that
the situation Is fraught with the
gravest possibilities and dangers
No thoughtful man can fail TO see
that the necessity for definite nc
ton may come at any time, II We
are. In fact. and not In word, mere
ly 10 defend our elementary rights
as a neutral nation. II would be
most imprudent 10 be unprepared
Was Special Power
Il cannot, In such circumstances
be unmindful OF the fact that tho
expiration OF the term OF the pres
ent congress is Immediately al
hand by constitutional limitation
and that 1t would in all likelihood
require an unusual length of tim,
TO assemble and organize the con
gress which IL to succeed II.
II feel that | ought. in view oil
that fact, to obtain from you full
and immediate assurance OF the ail
thority which ! may need at an,
moment to exercise. No doubt
already possess that authorit,
without special warrant of law b,
the plain implication OF my consti
tutlonal duties and powers, but
prefer In the present circum
stances not TO act upon general i'm
plications.
Wants United Backing
81 wish to feel that the authorlt,
and the power of congress are be
hind me in whatever II may hecom,
necessary for me to do. We ar,
Jointly the servants OF the peopl,
and must act together and In theii
sDiTit so far as VIC can divine nm,