Bisbee daily review., 1917-02-27
ARMED NEUTRALITY
 VITAL SAYS WILSON
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(Continued From Page One) people is substantially the same as it was when I 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 ship owners to risk their vessels at 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.
 No Overt Act Yet
 This in itself might presently ac- compiish. in effect. what the new Ger man submarine orders were meant to accomplish so far as we are concern ed. We can only say. therefore, that the overt act which have ventured to hope the German commanders would in fact avoid has not occurred.
 But while this is happily true, it must be admitted that there have been certain additional indications and expressions of purpose on the part of the German press and the Ger man authorities which have increased rather than lessencd the impression that. if our ships and our people are spared. it will be because of fortunate circumstances. or because the com manders of the German submarines which they may happen to encounter exercise an unexpected discretion and restraint rather than because of the instructions under which those com manders are acting.
 Situation Not Grave
 Tt would be foolish to deny that the situation is fraught with the gray est possibilities and dangers. Nc thoughtful man can fail to see that the necessity for definite action come at any time, if We are in fact, and not in word merely, to- defend our elemen- tary rights as neutral nation. It would be most imprudent to be unpre- pared.
 ''I cannot in such circumstances be unmindful of the fact that the expira- tion of the term of the present con- gress is immediately at hand. by cor stitutional limitations and that it would iii all likelihood require an un- usual length of time to assemble and organize the congress which is to sue ceed it.
 ''I feel that I ought in view Of that fact. to obtain from you full and im- Nediate assurance of the authority which I may need at any mo~ent to 'vercise No doubt ! already possess 4Nat power. without special warrant of war hv the plain implication of my constitutional duties and powers, but ! prefer. in the present circumstances ct to act upon general implication.
 "I wish to feel that the authority end the power of the congress are be cessary for me 10 do. We are jointly tNe servants of the people and must -ot together and in their spirit, so far "s " ecan devine and interpret it
 No one daubts what it is our duty O do We must defend our commerce nd the lives of our people in the 'idst Of the present trying circun'- stances. with discretion but with clear and steadfast purpose. Only the ~etkod and the extent remain to be "hosen. upon the occasion, if occas- ion should indeed arise.
 since it has unhappily proved i'm possible to safeguard our neutral rights by diplomatic means against 'he Unwarranted infringements they gre suffering at the hands of Germany -here may be recourse but to armed neutrality, which we shall know how 10 maintain and for which there Is abundant American precedent.
 Tt is devotedly to be hoped that it will not be necessary to put armed force anywhere into action. The Am erioan people do not desire it and our desire is not different from theirs. am sure that they will understand the spirit in which l am now standing,