The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-12-07
MANKATO FREE PRESS

Justice and equality OF rights can be
had only at a great price. We are
seeking permanent, not temporary
foundations for the peace of the world
and must seek them candidly and
fearlessly. AS always the right will
prove to be the eXpedient.
What shall we do, then, to push
this great war of freedom and justice
to it's righteous conclusion? We must
clear away with thorough hand ali
impediments to success and we must
make every adjustment of law that
will facilitate the full and free use
of our whole capacity and force as
fighting unit.
Asks War on Austria?
One very embarrassing obstacle
that stands in our way is that we
are at war with Germany, but not
with her Allies. | therefore, very
earnestly recommend that Congress
Immediately declare the United States
in a state of war with Austria-Hun-
gary. Does it seem strange to you
that this should be the conclusion Of
the argument l have just addressed
to you? 1t is not ]: is in fact the
inevitable logic of what I have said
vassal of Kaiser,
Austria Hungary is for the time be-
ing not her own mistress, but simply
the vassal of the German government
We must face the facts as they are
and act upon them without sentiment
in this stern business. The govern
ment of Austria-f!r, gary is not act
ing upon its own initiative or in re-
Spouse to the wishes and feelings of
it's own peoples, but as the instru.
ment of another nation. We must
meet its force with our own and re-
gard the Central Powers as but one
The war can be successfully conduct
ed in no other way. The same logic
would lead also to a declaration of
war against Turkey and Bulgaria
They also are the tools of Germany.
But they are mere tools and do not
yet stand in the direct path of our
necessary action. We shall 20 wher-
ever the necessities of this war carry
is, but it seems to me that we should
90 only where immediate and practi-
cal consideration lead us ard not heed
any others.
New War Measures Needed.
The financial and military meas
Tres which mus. be adopted will
suggest themselves as the war and
is undertakings develop, but l will
take the liberty of proposing
to you certain other acts
If legislation which seem to me to be
needed for the support of the war and
ior the release of our whole force and
energy
1t will be necessary to extend in
ain particulars the legislation of the
asst session with regard to alien enc
MES; and also necessary, believe,
% create very definite and particu-
ar control over the entrance and de-
oarture of all persons into and from
he United States.
Would Define Crimes.
Legislation should be enacted defin-
ng as criminal offense every wilful
violation of the Presidential proclama.
ions relating to alien enemies pro-
nulgated under section 400? o. the
revised statutes and providing appro-
pirate punishments; and women as
we'll as men should be included under
he terms of the acts placing restraint
lpon alien enemies.
To Avoid Money Waste.
The legislation proposed at the last
session with regard to regulated COM
)inations among our exporters, in or
Ter to provide for our foreign trade a
more effective organization and meth
ID of cooperation, ought by all means
% be completed at this session.
May Ask Rail Legislation.
Additional legislation may also be-
come necessary before the present
Congress adiourns in order to effect
he most efficient coordination and
operation of the railway and other
transportation systems of the country
out to that l shall, if circumstances
should demand, call the attention Of
Congress upon another occasion.
If l have overlooked anything that
ought to be done for the more effec-
tive conduct of the war, your own
,ounsels will supply the omission.
What l am perfectly clear about is
that in the present session of the
Congress our whole attention and en-
ergy should be concentrated on the
vigorous and rapid and successful
prosecution of the great task of win
ming the war.
War of High Principle.
We can do this with all the greater
zeal and enthusiasm because we know
that for us this is war of high prin-
;iple, debased by no selfish ambition
If conquest or spoilation, because we
know, and all the world knows, that
we have been forced into it to save
the very institutions we live under
from corruption and destruction. The
purposes of the central Powers strike
straight at the very heart of every
thing we believe in, their methods of
warfare outrage every principle of hui
manity and of knightly honor, their
intrigue has corrupted the very
thought and spirit of many of our
people, their sinister and secret d.
plomacy has sought to take our very
territory away from us and disrupt
the union of the states.
To Fight for Right Until Last Shot.