The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-26
SHIPS TO ARM
FOR PROTECTION
CONTINUED from page -

and restraint rather than De
cause of the instructions under
which those commanders are
acting. II would be foolish to
deny that the situation is fraught
with the Tavest possibilities and
dangers. No thoughtful man can
fail to see that the necessity for
definite action may come at any
time, il we are in fact. and not
In word. merely. TO defend our
elementary rights as a neutral
nation. II would be most tmpru-
dsnt TO be unprepared-
I canno. In such circumstances
De urmindtul OF the fact that the
expiration Of the term OF the pres
err congress IL Immediately at
hand by constitutional limitation;
H-d tia, & wcrld In al Hkeiihood
sasre IN anrsssi ienxIn of time
70 assemble ard organize the
cr.-ess whsch II 20 gccceed II
Sod tat ] cuEtl IN view o.
az t. txcs- 20 obtain fr@ rEn
fin sz-e6szte ASSURANCE OF the
x--aocisr vAfc@ I NAY reed a:
1zy moment 70 exercise No
ccGhc already possess taat su-
,hoyfty without special warrant
q hv. by the plain implication
az my Constitutional duties and
porer., brt prefer n the present
circumstances not 90 act upon gem
erzl implications / wish to feel
that the authority and the power
Of tia congress- are behind ne n
whatever Il may become neces-
ssrY for ne to do. We are Jointly
the servants o. the people and
Ernst act together and In their
spirit 50 far as We can divine and
interpret II
No one doubts what II is our duty
20 do We must defend our com-
nsrce and the lives OF our people
in the midst of the present trying
circumstances, with discretion,
but with clear and steadfast pur-
pose Only the method and the
extent remain to be chosen up-
On the occasion IL occasion should
indeed arise. Since it has un-
happily proved impossible TO safe
guard our neutral rights by diplo-
matte means against the unwsr.
raaied infringements they are SUI
fertng al the hands Of Germany,
there may be no recourse but to
armed neutrality, which we shall
know how to maintain. and for
which there Is abundant American
precedent.
It is devoutly to be hoped that
will 70
armed force anywhere into action
The American people do not de-
sire II and our desire is not dit-
ferent from theirs. / am sure
that they viii understand the spir-
it in which / am now acting. the
purpose hold nearest my heart
and wish to exhibit In everything
1 do.
I am anxious that the people Of
the nations at war also should
understand and not mistrust us. l
hope that | need give no further
proofs and assurances than I have
already given throughout nearly
three years of anxious patience
that l am the friend of peace and
mean to preserve il for America
as long as l am able.
/ am not now proposing Or CON
templating war or any steps that
need lead to 1t. I merely request
that you will accord me by your
own vote and definite bestowal the
means and the authority to safe
guard in practice the right of a
great people who are at peace
and who are DESTROYS OF exercising
none but the rights OF peace to fol-
low the pursuits OF peace in quiet
ness and good will-rights recog-
nized time out of mind by all the
civilized nations of the world.
No course of my choosing or OF
theirs will lead to war. War can
come only by the wilful acts and
aggressions of others.
You will understand why I can
make no definite proposals or
forecasts of action now and must
ask for your supporting authority
in the most general terms. The
form in which action may become
necessary cannot yet be foreseen.
believe that the people will be
willing to trust me to act with re-
straint, with prudence, and in the