The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-04-03

were no doubt az ignorant Of them as
we ourselves were) but only in the
selfish designs Of a government that
did what It pleased and told it's people
nothing. But they have played their
part to convince Us that their rulers
entertain no real friendship for US
and mean to act against our peace
and security. That It means to stir up
enemies at our very doors, the inter-
septed note to the German minister at
Mexico City Is eloquent evidence.
1--WE are accepting this challenge Of
the hostile powers because we know
that in such government following
such methods we can never have a
friend; and that in the presence Of its
organized power, always lying in wait
to accomplish we know not what pur-
pose there can be no assurance for the
democratic government of the world.
We are now about to accept a gage Of
battle with this natural foe to liberty
and shall If necessary send the whole
force of the nation to check and NULL
fy its pretensions and it's power. We
are glad, now that we see the facts
with no veil of false pretense about
them, to fight for the ultimate peace
its people, the German people incIud-
ed, for the rights of nations, great and
small, and the privilege Of men every
where to choose their way Of life and
Of obedience.
1.-THE world must be made safe for
democracy. Its peace must be credited
on the trusted foundation of political
liberty. We have no selfish ends to
serve.
1--WE desire no conquest, no domin-
ion. We seek no indemnity for our
selves, no material compensation for
the sacrifices we shall freely make.
We are but one of the champions Of
the rights Of mankind.
1--WE shall be satisfied with those
rights and then as secure as the place
and the freedom of the nation can
make them. Just because we fight
without rancor and without selfish OBJ.
iects, seeking nothing for ourselves
but that which we shall wish to share
with all free people we shall, ! feel
confident, conduct cur operations as
belligerents without passion and our.
selves with proud punctiIIiousness to
observe what we profess to be fighting
for
~ have said nothing o: the govern
ments allied with the imperial govern
ment Of Germany because they have
not made war on US or challenged us
TO defend our rights and honor. The
Austro-Hungarian government has In
deed avoWed its unqualified endorse
ment and acceptance Of the reckless
submarine warfare adopted now with
out disguise by the imperial German
government and it has therefore not
been impossible for this government
to receive Count Parnownki, the am
bassador accredited to this govern
ment.
But that government has not actual.
Iy engaged in warfare against the cit
liens Of the United States on the seas
and ! take the liberty for the present
at least of postponing discussion Of
our relations with the authorities at
Vienna. We enter this war only where
we are clearly forced into it, because
there are no other means of defending
our rights.
"lt will be all the easier for use to
conduct ourselves as beI!igerents in a
high spirit Of right and fairness be.
cause we act without emnity toward
a people or with the desire to BRING
any injury or disadvantage upon them,
but only in armed opposition to an ir.
responsible government which has
thrown aside all considerations Of hui
manity and of right and is running
amuck.
"Weare, let me say again, dear
friends of the German people and shall
desire nothing so much as early estab-
lishment of intimate relations of mu.
tuaI advantage between us-however
hard it may be for them, for the time