The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-03

able, 100000 Soldiers, Universal
Military Service. Cooperation With
Entente Allies, Including Liberal
Financial Credits Are Requested by
Chief Executive.
Washington, April 3.-The text OF
President Wilson's war message to
congress is az follows:
/ have called the congress into ex-
traordinary session because there are
serious, very serious, choices of
policy to be made. and made immedi
ately, which it was neither right nor
constitutlonally permissible that
should assume the responsibility of
making.
On the Sd of February last, Off.
cially laid before you the extraordin-
airy announcement OF the imperial
German government that on and after
the LIST day of February it was its
purpose to put aside all-Eestraints Of
law or humanity and use its subma-
rines to sink every vessel that sought
to approach either the ports of Great
Britain and Ireland or the western
coasts of Europe or any of the ports
controlled by the enemies of Ger
many within the Mediterranean. That
had seemed to be the object of the
German submarine warfare earlier in
the var, but since April OF last year
the imperial government had some
what restrained the commanders OF
its undersea craft in conformity with
passenger boats should not be e"nk,
and that due warning would be given
to all other vessels which its subnla.
rines might seek TO destroy, when no
resistance was offered or escape at
tempted, and care taken that their
crews were given at least fair
chance to save. their lives in their
open boats. The precautions taken
were meager and haphazard enough.
as was proved in distressing instance
after instance in the progress of tho
cruel and unmanly business, but
certain degree OF restraint was OBJ
served.
The new policy has swept every re-
striction aside. Vessels of every kind.
whatever their flag, their character.
their cargo, their destination, their
errand, have been ruthlessly sent to
the bottom without warning, and with.
out thought OF help or mercy for those
on board, the vessels of friendly neu-
trails along with those OF belligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships carry
ing relief to the sorely bereaved and
stricken people of Belgium, though the
latter were provided with safe conduct
through the prescribed areas by the
British government Itself, and were
distinguished by unmistakable marks
OF identity, have been sunk with the
same reckless lack Of compassion or
of principle.
Germany's Acts Surprise Wilson.
was for little while unable to
believe that such things would in fact
be done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices OF civilized nations. Inter
national law had It's origin in the at
tempt to set up some law which would
be respected and observed upon the
seas, where no nation had right of
dominion and where lay the free high.
ways Of the world. By painful stage
after stage has that law been built up
with meager enough results, indeed,
after all was accomplished that could
be accomplished. but always with
clear view, at least, Of what the heart
and conscience of mankind demanded.
This minimum OF right the German
government has swept aside under the
plea Of retaliation and necessity, and
because 1t had no weapons which it
could use at sea except these. which
1t is impossible to employ as it is en-
cioying them without throwing to the
winds all scruples of humanity OF Of
sespect for the understandings that
we're supposed to underlie the inter
course ofythe world.
/ am not now thinking Of the loss OF
property involved, immense and seri-
Gus as that is, but only OF the wanton
and Wholesale destruction OF the lives
Of non-eombatants, men, women and
children, engaged in pursuits which
have always, even in the darkest
periods of modern history, been
deemed innocent and legitimate. Prop.
erty can be paid for; the lives of
peaceful and innocent people can.
not be.
u-eoats War Against Mankind.
The present German submarine war.
fare against commerce is a warfare
against mankind. 1t is a war against
al nations. American ships have been
sunk, American lives taken, in ways
which 1t has stirred US very deeply to
lnarn of, but the ships and peopleNof
ether neutral and friendly nations
haSS been sunk and overwhelmed In
the waters in the same way. There
has been no discrimination. The chal-
lenge Is to ali mankind. Each nation
must decide for itself how it will meet
It. The choice We make for our.
selves must be made with modera.
ton Of counsel and a temperateness
So