Gilpin observer., 1917-11-08

a.A sverwheimed q. the water. in the
cr1mination.
The challenge IL to all mankind.
Each nation must decide for itself how
1t will meet 1t. The choice we make
for ourselves must be made with
moderation Of counsel and temper
ateness of Judgment betting our
character and our motives as a nation.
We must put excited feelings away.
Our motive will not be revenge or the
victorious assertion of the physical
might OF the nation. but only the vim
dication of right. of human right OF
which we are only single champion.
When addressed the congress on
the 26th of February last I thought 1t
would suffice to assert our neutral rights
with arms. our right to use the seas
to keep our people safe against unlaw-
full violence. But armed neutrality, 1t
now appears. Is tmpracticable. Because
submarines are in effect outlaws, when
use as the German submarines have
been used against merchant shipping,
1t Is impossible to defend ships against
their attacks, as the law Of nations has
assumed that merchantmen would de-
fend themselves against privateers or
crui.ers, visible craft giving chase up
on the open sea. 1t is common pru-
dence in such circumstances, grim nee
essity indeed. to endeavor to destroy
them before they have shown their own
intention. They must be dealt with up
ON sight, II dealt with at all.
The German government denies the
right OF neutrals to use arms at all
within the areas of the sea which II
has prescribed even in the defense of
rights which no modern publicist has
ever before questioned their right to
defend. The intimation is conveyed that
the armed guards which we have
placed on our merchant ships will be
treated as beyond the pale of law and
subject to be dealt with as pirates
would be- Armed neutrality II inenec-
tual enough at best, in such circum-
stances and in the face Of such preten-
sions 1t Ii worse than Intellectually II II
likely only to produce what 1t was
meant to prevents 1t II practically GER
tain to draw us into war without either
the rights or the effectiveness of the bel
liEerents. There II one choice we can
not make, we are incapable Of making'
We will not choose the path of submis-
sion and suffer the most sacred rights
OF our nation and our people to be ig-
nored or violated. The wrongs aEainst
which we now array ourselves are NO
common wrOngsy they cut to the very
roots OF human life.
With n profound sense OF the solemn
and even tragical character of the step
! am taking and of the grave responsi-
blities which 1t Involves, but in un-
hesitating obedience to what I deem
my constitutional duty 1 advise that
the congress declare the recent course
of the Imperial German government to
be In fact nothing less than war
the United States; that 1t formally ac-
cept the status of belligerent which has
thus been thrust upon it: and that 1t
take immediate steps not only to put
the country in a more thorough state
of defense, but also to exert all its
q IN
bring the government of the German
empire to terms and end the war.
What this will involve is clear. 1t
will involve the utmost practicable CO.
operation in counsel and action with
the governments now at war with Ger
many. and as incident to that the ex-
tension to those governments of the
most liberal financial credits. in order
that our resources may so far as pos
sible be added to theirs.
1t will involve the organization and
mobilization of all the material re-
sources of the country to supply the
materials of war and serve the incl
dental needs of the nation in the most
abundant and yet the most economical
and efficient way possible.
1t will involve the immediate full
equipment of the navy in all respects.
but particularly in supplying II with
the best means of dealing with the enc
my's submarines.
IL Will Involve the immediate a0d1-
tion to the armed forces of the United
States. already provided for by law in
case of war. of at least 100000 men.
who should. in my opinion. be chosen
upon the principle of universal liabil-
ity to service, and also the authorize
ton of subsequent additional incre-
ments of equal force so soon as they
may be needed and can be handled in
training.
1t will Involve also, of course, the
granting Of adequate credits to the
government, sustained, I hope. 40 far
ms they can equitably be sustained by
the present generation. by welI-con-
ceived taxation.
say sustained 80 far a. may he
equitable by taxation, because II seems
TO me that Il would he most unwise to
bnse the credits, which Will now be
necessary, entirely on money borrowed.
II In our duty, ! most respectfully urge,
to protect our people, SO far we
mny, aEninst the very serious hard
ships and evils which would be likely
to arise out of the in hatiOn which would
he produced by vnst loans.
In carrying out the measures by
which these things are to he accom-
plished we should keep constantly In
mind the wisdom of Interfering as lit
tie ns possible in our own pre- parRtiOn
and In the equipment of our own mill
tnry forces with the duty-fOr II will
he n very practical duty-Of supplying
the nations already mt war with Ger
many with the materials which they
cnn obtain only from us or by our -
sistance. They are In the field, and we
should help them In every way TO he
effective there.
shall take the liberty of suggest-
Ing, through the several executive de-
pnrtmcnts of the government, for the
consideration of your committees.
measures for the accomplishment of
the several objects / have mentioned.
I hope that II will be your pleasure to
deal with them ms having been framed
after very careful thought by the
branch of the government upon whom
the responsibility of conducting the
war and safeguarding the nation will
most directly fall.
While we do these things, these deep
~ momentous things, let us be very
clear. and make very clear to all the