The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-12-14

was thinking, and | am thinking now,
not of the smaller and weaker nations
| alone, which need our countenance and
| support, but also of the great and pow
erful nations, and of our present enc
mics as we'll as our present associates
in the war. | was thinking and am
thinking now, of Austria herself
among the rest, as we'll as of Serbia
and of Holland. Justice and equality
of rights can be had only at great
price. We are seeking permanent, not
temporary, foundations for the peace
of the world and must seek this can
didly and fearlessly. AS always, the
right will prove to be expedient.
Declars War on Austria.
what shall we do, then, to push
this great war Of freedom and just to
it's righteous conclusion? We must
clear away with thorough hand all
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.
zone very embarrassing obstacle
that stands in our way is that we are
at war with Germany but not with. her
allies. I, therefore, very earnestly rec
ommend that the congress Immediately
! declare the United States in a state of
war with Austria-Hungary. Does 1t
seem strange to you that this should
be the conclusion Of the argument
, have just addressed to you? It is not.
, 1t is in fact the inevitable logic of
| -, tv
for the time being not her own mis-
tress, but simply the vassal of the
; German government. We must face
I the facts as they are and act upon
> them without sentiment in this stern
+ business The government Of Austria
I Hungary is not acting upon it's own
, initiative or in response to the wishes
! and feelings of its own peoples, but as
!. the instrument of another nation. We
+ must meet it's force with our own and
+. regard the central powers as but one.
: The war can be successfully conducted
y in no other way.
e AS to Turkey and Bulgaria.
: :The same logic would lead also to
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 GO
, wherever the necessities of this war
carry us, but it seems to me that we
= should go only where immediate and
practical considerations land US and
not heed any others.
y 1.-THE financial and military meas
Ii ,I,
~ gest themselves as the war and its un
y dertakings develop, but will take tn
e liberty of proposing to you certai
e other acts of legislation which seeI
on to me to be needed for the support {
ng the war and for the release of OF
40 whole force and energy.
ne at will be necessary to extend
OF certain particulars the legislation {
re the last session with regard to allie
no enemies; and also necessary, b.
NJ Iieve, to create very definite an
OF particular control over the entranc
n and departure of all persons into an
ey from the United States.
IS Legislation should be enacted do
IL filming as criminal offense every willfu
in violation of the presidential proclama
lions relating to alien enemies promu1
gated under section 4067 of the Re
p vised Statutes and providing appropr
Sc ate punlshments; and women as we
ed as men, should be included under tn
NJ terms of the acts placing restraint
he upon alien enemies. 1t is likely tina
,e. as time goes on many alien enemie
on will be willing to be fed and house
as at the expense of the government
ar- the detention camps, and it would b
he the purpose of legislation I have SUI
ill gested to confine offenders anon
at them in penitentiaries and other sin
.es liar institutions where they could b
lu- made to work as other criminals il
Go Further in Fixing Prices.
ne "Recent experience has convince
tu- me that the congress must go furtht
TX in authorizing the government to 81
lin limits to prices. The law of supp
nd and demand, I am sorry to say, hi
ole been replaced by the law of unrestrai
cd ed selfishness. While we have elir
nd mated profiteering in several brancht
nd of industry, it still runs impudent
.ad rampant in others. The farmers, f,
,rv example, complain with a great deal
ad Justice, that while the regulation
ia4 food prices restricts their incomes, I
re- restraints are placed upon the pric
cir of most of the things they must ther
bile selves purchase and similar iniquiti
I'VE obtain on all sides.
SIT is imperatively necessary that Il
,en consideration of the full use of Il
Ids water power of the country and al
IN the consideration of the systemat
od- and yet economical development
Ne such of the natural resources of t
~ country as are still under the contr
~ of the federal government should
Immediately resumed and affirmative
and constructively dealt with at I
ro earliest possible moment The pres
- ing need of such legislation is daily
- coming more obvious.
~ A Word to the Lawmakers.
the "The legislation proposed at the Ia
,,-;+L ,oorord m rau,I1a ta6 ~