Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1917-04-06
ASKS STATE
OF WAR BE
DECLARED
Wilson l Urges s, Army
AID FOR THE ALLIES
Practical Cooperation With
Nations Now in Conflict.
LIBERAL FINANCIAL CREDITS
LIBERAL FINANCIAL CREDITS
Declaration Carries Mobilization Of
Resources to Supply Munitions and
Full Equipment of Navy and Means
to Deal With Enemy's Submarines.

nSSOdtSSo " 0oPPiy ~''S
Full Equipment Of Navy and Means
to Deal With Enemy's Submarines.
President Wilson asked congress to
declare a state of war existing be-
tween the United States and Germany.
The president, appearing before the
house and senate in joint session, ask
ed congress to recognize and deal with
Germanys warfare on America.
The president said war with Ger
many would involve practical cooper
alton with the governments now at
war with Germany, including liberal
financial credits. He urged the ras-
ing of 100000 men by universal mill
tary service.
Mr.. Wilson spoke as follows:
l have called the. congress into ex-
traordinay session because there are
serious, very serious, choices OF policy
to be made, and made Immediately.
which it was neither right nor consul
tutionally permissible that | should
assume the responsibility of making.
On the third of February last, l Off
cially laid before you the extraoroin-
airy announcement of the imperial Ger
man government that on and after
the first day Of February it was it's
purpose to put aside all restraint OF
law or of humanity and use its suDma-
rines to sink every vessel that sought
to approach either the ports of Great
coasts Of Europe or any of the ports
controlled by the enemies Of Germany
within the Mediterranean.
That had seemed to be the object
of the German submarine warfare
earlier in the war. but since April OF
restrained somewhat the commanders
of its undersea craft in conformity
with Its promise then given to us that
passenger boats should not be sunk,
and that due warning would be given
to all other vessels which its suDma-
resistance was offered or escape at
tempted, and care taken that their
crews were given at least a fair
chance to save their lives in their
open boats. The precautions taken
were meagre and haphazard enough,
as was proved in distressing instance
after instance in the progress Of the
cruel and unmanly business. But q
certain degree of restraint was OBJ
served.
Every Restriction Swept Aside.
The new policy has swept every re-
striction aside. Vessels Of every kind,
whatever their flag, their character,
their cargo, their destination, their
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 carrying
relief to the sorely beIeaved and
Fri of oil 10
latter were provided with safe con-
duct through the prescribed areas by
the German government itself and
were distinguished by unmistakable
marks Of identity, have been sunk with
the same reckless lack of compassion
or of principle.
was, for a little while, unable to
believe that such things would, in fact,
be done by any government that hith-
erto had subscribed t. the humane
practices of civilized nations. Inter-
national law had its origin in the at
be respected and observed upon the
seas, where no nation has right Of do
minion and where lay the free high
ways Of the world. By painful stage
after stage has that law been built up
with meagre enough results indeed,
after all was accomplished that could
be accomplished, but always with a
clear view. at least, of what the heart
and conscience Of mankind demanded.
pisreaards All SerupIes of Humanity.
This minimum Of right the German
government has swept aside under the
plea of retaliation and necessity, and
because 1t had not weapons which it
could use at sea except these, which
1t is impossible to employ as 1t Ia en-
ploying them without throwing to the
winds all scruples OF humanity or Of
respect for the UNDERSTANDINGS that
were supposed to underlie the inter-
course OF the 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-combatants, men, women and
children, engaged In pursuits which
have always, even In the darkest peri
DDS Of modern history, been deemed
can be paid for; the lives Of peaceful
and innocent people cannot be.
The present German submarine war
fare against commerce Is q warfare
against mankind. 1t Is q war against
al nations, American ships have been
which 1t has stirred us very deeply
to learn of, but the ships and people
Of other neutral and friendly nations
have been sunk and overwhelmed In
the waters In the same way. There
has been no discrimination. The chal-
lenge is to all mankind. Each nation
must decide for itself how 1t will meet
1t. The choice We mako for ourselves
must be made with moderation OF
counsel and temperatures of judg-
ment behtting our character and our
motives q 8 nation. We must put
excited feeling away. Our motive VIII
not be revenge or the victorious asser-
ton of the physical might Of the ma
ton, but only the vindication Of right,
Of human right, Of which we are only
single champion.
Armed Neutrality 10 lmpractieable.
When l addressed the congress on
the twenty-sixth OF February last, 81
thought II would suffice to assert our
nsutral rights with arms, our rights
e use the seas against unlawful inter.
ference. our right to keep our people
saSo against unlawful violence.
But armed neutrality It now appearsl
= inpEacticabao. Because 0ub0arinea,
- q eRect eetlews vhsa 1se1 - theI
OAon Unnmox1nAn- hAHn 49, Naa6