The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-27

sble to safeguard our neutral rights by diplomatic
against the unwaranted nfrngements they suffering
at the hands of Germany there be resource but TO
armed neutrality which shall know how TO maintain,
and for which there is abundant American precedent
II devoutly to be hoped that it will not be
put armed force anywhere into action The American
people do desire and desire is not different from
theirs that they will understand the spirit in
which am acting the purpose hold nearest my heart
and would wish to exhibit in everything do.
am anxious that the people Of the nations at war
also should understand and not mstrust hope that
need give further proofs and than have
already given hruout nearly three years of anxious
patience that the friend of and mean TO pre-
IL for America as long as | am able
am not proposing or contemplating war any
steps that need lead to it, merely request that will
and the authority safeguard in practice the right of
great people who at and who are DESTROYS OF ex
peace quetness and good wights recognized time
out Of mind BY all the civilized nations Of the world No
can come only by the wu acts and of others
You will understand why can make no definite pro-
posas of action and must ask for your sup
porting authority in the most general terms The form in
which action may become necessary cannot yet be fore
believe that the people will be willing to trust to
with restraint with prudence and in the true spirit of
amy and good faith that they have themselves displayed
turnout these trying months and it is in that belief that
request that you will authorize to supply
chant ships with defensive if that becomes necessary
and with the of using them and TO employ all other
nstrumentaites methods that be necessary and
adequate protect ships and people in their leg
mate and peaceful pursuits on the seas
request also that you VIII grant me at the same ume,
along with the powers ask sufficient credit to enable
provide adequate Of protection where they
lacking including adequate insurance against the present
risks
have spoken of commerce and of the legitimate
eands of people the but will not be msed
my main thought the thought that lies behind these
phrases gives them dignity and weight II is not of
material interests merely that thinking. II is
rather of Fundamental human rights chief Of all the right
of life itself am thinking not only of the rights of Amer
go and about their proper business by
of the but also of something much deeper much
81 that nf Iohfu inf
humanity without which there civilization. My theme
of the great types of compassion and of protection which
mankind has sought to throw about human lives the lives
non-combatant the lives of who peacefully at
work keeping the industrial of the world quick
and vital the lives of and children and of those who
supply the labor which ministers to their sustenance We
are speaking of selfish material rights but of rights
which hearts support and whose foundation is that
righteous passion for justice upon which all law, all sruc
alike of family of state and of mankind must rest
upon the ultimate base of existence and liberty
imagine any with American principles at his
heart hesitating to defend these things