Middletown transcript., 1917-03-03
PRESIDENT ASKS FOR AUTHORITY TO
PROTECT AMERICANS ON HIGH SEAS
Addresses Joint Session Of Congress---Armed
Neutrality is the Policy He
Proposes.
Does Not Necessarily Mean That United States Will
Declare War With Germany.

Washington. - Asking authority to
arm merchant ships and to take any
other means which may prove neces-
sary to protect American lives and in
terests on the high seas, President Viii
son Monday addressed joint session
of Congress on the German-Arnerican
situation.
Realizing that the step taken by the
President draws the United States
measurably nearer open hostilities
with the German Government, Con-
gress listened with deepest gravity to
the Presidents pronouncenent.
The Presidents address was as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Congress: l
have again asked the privilege OF ad-
dressing you because we are moving
through critical times, during which
1t seems to me to be my duty to keep
in close touch with the Houses of Con-
gress, so that neither counsel nor
action shall run at cross purposes be-
tween us.
ION the Sd of February l officially
Informed you of the sudden and un-
expected action of the imperial Ger
man government in declaring its in
tention to disregard the promises 1t
had made to this government in April
last and undertake immediate sub
marine operations against all COM
merce, whether of belligerents or OF
neutrals, that should seek to approach
Great Britain and Ireland, the Atlantic
coasts of Europe or the harbors of the
Eastern Mediterranean, and to conduct
those operations without regard to the
established restrictions Of internation-
al practice, without regard to any con-
siderations of humanity even, which
might interfere with their object.
That policy was forthwith put into
practice. 1t has now been in active
execution for nearly four weeks.
Results Not Yet Disclosed.
Its practical results are not yet
fully disclosed. The commerce Of
other neutral nations is suffering Sc
verely, but not, perhaps, very much
more severely than it was already sui
fering before the first of February,
when the new policy of the imperial
government was put into operation
We have asked the cooperation of the
other neutral governments to prevent
these depredations, but so far none OF
them has thought it wise to join US IN
any common course Of action. Our
own commerce has suffered, is suffer-
ing, rather in apprehension than in
fact, rather because so many Of our
ships are timidly keeping to their
home ports than because American
ships have been sunk.
1.-TWO American vessels have been
sunk, the Housatonic. and the Lyman
M Law. The case of the Housatonlc,
which was carrying foodstuffs can
signed to London firm, was essential
ly like the case of the Fry, in which
it will be recalled, the German govern
ment admitted it's liability for dam
ages, and the lives of the crew, as in
the case of the Frye, were safeguard
ed with reasonable care. The case OF
the Law, which was carrying lemon
box slaves to Palermo, disclosed a
ruthlessness of method, which de-
serves grave condemnation, but was
accompanied by no circumstances
which might not have been expected
at any time in connection with the use
of the submarine against merchantmen
as the German government has
used it.
Evidences OF Danger.
But while this is happily true, it
must be admitted that there have been
certain additional indications and ex-
pressions of purpose on the part Of the
German press and the German authori-
ties which have increased rather than
lessened the impression that, if our
ships and our people are spared, it
will be because of fortunate circum
stances or because the commanders OF
the German submarines which they
may happen to encounter exercise al
unexpected discretion and restraint
rather than because of the instruc
tions under which those commanders
are acting. 1t would be foolish te
deny that the situation is fraught
with the gravest possibilities and dan
gers.
mo thoughtful man can fail to see
that the necessity for definite actor
may come at any time, if we are, II
fact and not in word merely, to de
fend our elementary rights as neu
trail nation 1t would be most i'm
prudent to be unprepared.
Il cannot in such circumstances bt
unmindful of the fact that the expira
tion of the term of the present Con
gress is Immediately at hand, by con
stitutional limitation, and that it wou1t
in all likelihood require an unusua
length of time to assemble and organ
ize the Congress which is to succeed
It. l feel that ought, in view of tha
fact, to obtain from you full and i'm
mediate assurance of the authorlt.
which | may need at any moment t.
exercise.
Wants Congressional Support.
mo doubt, l already possess tha
authority without special warrant o
law, by the plain implication of m.
constitutional duties and powers; bu
LOST BOTH ARMS AND EYE IN HAF