The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-03-02
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS MES
SAGE TO CONGRESS:

Gentlemen OF the Congress-
Il have again asked the privilege
OF addressing you because we are
moving through critical times DUR
ing which IL seems to me 10 be my
duty 20 keep in close touch with the
houses OF Congress so that neither
counsel nor action shall run at cross
purposes between us.
"On the Sd OF February I officially
Informed YOU OF the sudden and un-
expected action OF the imperial Ger
man government in declaring its in
tention 10 disregard the promises ii
had made 10 this government in April
last and undertake immediate sub
marine operations against all com
merce, whether OF belligerents or or
neutrals. that should seek TO ap-
proach Great Britain and Ireland, the
Atlantic coasts OF Europe or the har-
bors OF the eastern Mediterranean
and to conduct those operations with
out regard to the established restric-
tions Of international practice with
out regard 10 any considerations of
humanity even which might inter
fere with their object.
Put Into Practice.
THAT policy was forthwith put in
20 practice II has now been in active
exhibition for nearly four weeks. Its
practical results are not fully disclos-
ed The commerce OF other neutral
nations is suffering severely. but not,
perhaps very much more severely
than il was already suffering before
the first of February, when the new
policy OF the imperial government
was put into operation.
I'VE have asked the cooperation
OF the other neutral governments to
prevent these deprediations, but |
fear none OF them has thought It
wise TO join us in any common course
of action
"Oour own commerce has suffered Is
suffering, rather in apprehension than
in tact, rather because so many Of
our ships are timidly 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 case OF the Housatonic,
which was carving foodstuffs con-
signed 10 London firm. was esser
TALLY like the case OF the Eyre, in
which. il will be recalled, the Ger
man government admitted its liabil-
ity for damages, and the lives OF the
crew, as in the case OF the Frye.
were safeguarded by reasonable care.
The case OF the Law, which was
carrying lemon bdx staves 10 Pal
ermo disclosed ruthlessness OF
method which deserves grave con
demnation, but was accompanied by
no circumstances which might not
have been suspected at any time in
connection with the use Of the sub
marine against merchantmen az the
German Government has used It,
Situation Not Changed.
I'm sum. therefore. the situation
we find ourselves in with regard TO
the actual conduct OF the German
submarine warfare against commerce
and its effects upon our own ships
and people is substantially the same
that IL was when addressed you on
the third Of February. except for the
tying up Of our shipping in our own
ports because OF the unwillingness OF
our shipowners 10 risk their vessels
az sea without insurance or adequate
protection and the very serious con-
gestion OF our commerce which has
resulted. a congestion which is grow
Ing rapidly more and more serious
every day.
This IN Itself might bfessntlyfao-
complish, in effect. what the new
German submarine orders we're
meant TO accomplish, so far as We
are concerned. We can only say,
therefore, that the overt act which
I have ventured 10 hope the German
commanders would In fact avoid has
not occurred.
Accidental az Best
But while this is happily true IL
must be admitted that there have
been certain additional indications
and expressions OF purpose on the
part oi the German press and the