The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-27
America Must Safeguard
Commerce and Citizens,
Declares President Wilson

WASHINGTON Feb. Z7.-The presidents ADDRESS 10
congress on the submarine crisis follows:
Gentlemen of the congress:
have again asked the privilege of addressing you be
moving through critical times during which
IL to be my duty keep in close touch with
the houses Of that neither counsel nor action
shall run at purposes between US.
On the third of February officially informed you Of
the sudden and unexpected action of the Imperial German
government in declaring its intention to disregard the
promises had made to this government in April last and
undertake immediate submarine operations against all COM
whether of begeents Of neutras that should
seek to approach Great Britain and Ireland the Atlantic
coasts of Europe the habors Of the Eastern Medter
and conduct those operations without regard TO
established restrictions of international practice without
regard any consideration of humanity which might
interfere with their object That policy forthwith put
into practice 1t has been in active execution for near
ly four weeks
Its practical results not yet fully disclosed The
commerce of other neutral nations suffering severely
but not perhaps very much severely than il al
ready suffering before the first of February when the new
policy of the Imperial government put into operation
We have asked the cooperation of the other neutral
enments prevent these depredatons but Tar
of them thought it wise join any
of action Our has suffered. is suffering
rather in apprehension than in fact rather because
of ships tmdy keeping to their home ports than
because American ships have been sunk.
Two American vessels have been sunk the Housatonic
and the Lyman NJ Law The of the Housatonc which
carrying foodstufs consigned to London firm.
essentially like the of the Frye which IL will be
recalled the German government admitted its liability for
damages and the lives Of the crew. the of the
Frye safeguarded with reasonable The of
the Law which carrying emonbox slaves to Palermo
disclosed ruhlessness OF method which deserves
condemnation but accompanied by circumstances
which might not have been expected at time in
ton with the Of the submarine against merchantmen
~ the German government has used IL.
In sum, therefore, the situation find ourselves in
with regard to the actual conduct of the German submarine
warfare against commerce and its effects upon
ships and people is substantially the when ad
dressed you the third of February except the tying
up OF shipping in ports because of the unwi
ingness of ship risk their vessels with
out insurance adequate protection the very
congestion of our commerce has resulted congestion
which is growing rapidly and serious every day
This in itself might presently accomplish in effect what
the new German submarine orders were meant to accom-
psh, far concerned We only say, there
fore that the overt act which have ventured to hope the
German commanders would in fact avoid has not occurred
But while this happily is true il must be admitted
there certain indications of expressions of purpose
the part Of the German and the German authorities
which have increased rather than essened the
that il ships and people spared it viii be be-
of fortunate circumstances because the command
of the German submarines which they may happen to
unexpected discretion restraint
rather than because OF the under which those
. %
dangers. No thoughtful an fail TO that the
a and no in ~opG %sres to defend our ementas
rights neutral nation II would be most mprudent to
be unprepared.
cannot in such circumstances be unmindfu of the fact
that the expiration of the Of the present congress
Immediately hand by constitutional limitations and
that would in all likelihood require unusual length of
time to assemble and organize the congress which to
coed it.
feel that ought in view of that fact obtain from
full and immediate of the authority which
may need at any moment to exercise No doubt already
possess that authority without special of law by
the plain implication of constitutional duties and
but prefer in the circumstances not to
general Implications wish to feel that the author
ity and the power Of the congress behind what
il become necessary for to do We Jointly
the of the people and must together and in
their spirit, far divine and interpret IT,
No doubts what IL is duty to do. We must de-
fend and the lives of people the
of the present trying circumstances with discretion but
with clear and seadfast Only the method and
extent remain to be chosen upon the OCCASION
should indeed arise Since 1t has unhappiy proved mpos