Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-03

son. delivered before congress last
night, asking for declaration that a
state Of war already exists:
II have called congress into extraor-
binary session, because there are Sc
rious, very serious, choices Of policy to
be made and made at once, which II
was neither right nor constitutionally
permissible that I should assume the
responsibility Of making.
All Restraint Abandoned.
"On the third of February last l Of
ficially laid before you the extraordin-
airy announcement of the imperial Ger
man government that on and after the
first day Of February it was it's purpose
to put aside all restraint of law or OF
humanity and use it's submarines to
sink every vessel that sought to APP
proach either the ports of Great Britain
and Ireland or the west coast Of Europe
or any ports controlled by enemies OF
Germany in the Mediterranean. That
had seemed to be the object Of the
German submarine warfare earlier In
the war, but since April of last year
the imperial government has somewhat
restrained the commanders of its un-
dersea craft in conformity with its
promises then given to the United
States that passenger boats should not
be sunk, and that due warning would
be given to all other boats which its
submarines might seek to destroy when
no resistance was made or escape at
tempted. and care taken that theil
crews were given ample slime and
fair chance to save their lives in open
boats. The precautions taken were
meager and Hydrocarbons enough, as
was proved in the disclosures In in
stance after instance in the progress
Of the cruel and unmanly business, but
certain degree of restraint was OBJ
served.
Restrictions Swept Aside.
"The new policy has swept every re-
striction aside. Vessels of all kinds
whatever their flag, their character
their cargo, their destination, or errand
have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom
without warning or thought OF help OF
mercy for those on board, the vessels
Of friendly neutrals along with tnose
Of enemies. Even hospital ships anu
those carrying relief to the sorely-
bereaved and stricken people of Bel
GUM, tho the latter were provided with
safe conduct thru the prescribed areas
by the German government itself, ana
were distinsuishable by unmistaKaole
marks. of identity, have been sunk Win
the same reckless lack Of compassion
or principle.
Actions Unbelievable.
81 was for a little while unable to
believe that such things would In fac'
Be done by any government that mac
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices Of civilization. Internationa
law had It's origin in the attempt to
set UP some law that would be re-
spected on the sea where nations had
the right Of dominion and where lay
the free highway Of the world. BY
painful stage after stage has that law
been built up with meager enough re-
suits indeed, after all was accom-
plished that could be accomplished
but always with clear view at leas,
Of what the heart ndSconscience OF
mankind demanded. y
serupIes to the Winds.
"Thfs minimum OF right the German
government has swept aside under the
plea Of retaliation and necessity anc
because 1T had no weapons which II
could use at sea, except these, which
it Is impossible to employ as 1t is
employing them without throwing to
the winds all soruples of humanity OF
Of respect for5t the understandings that
were supposed to underie the inter-
course Of the world.
''I, am not now thinking of the loss
Of property involved, immense and Sc
rious as that is, but only Of the wan
ton and wholesale destruction Of the
lives of nom combatants, men, women
and children, engaged in pursuits
which have always, even in the dark
est periods of modern history, been
deemed innocent and legitimate. Prop
erty can be paid for: the lives OF
these peaceful and innocent people
can not be.
War Against Mankind.
THE present German submarine
warfare against commerce is a wal
against mankind 1t is war against
all nations. American ships have been
sunk, American lives taken, in ways
which it has stirred US very deeply to
learn Of, but the ships and people OF
other neutrals and friendly nations
have been sunk and overwhelmed in
the water in the Same way. There has
been no discrimination. The challenge
is to all mankind. Each nation must
decide for itself how it will meet it,
The choice we make for ourselves
must be made with "a moderation OF
counsel and temper of judgment be-
fitting our character and our motives
as nation. We must put excited feel
ing away. Our motives will not be re-
venge or the victorious assertion Of the
physical might Of the nation, but only
the vindication Of right, OF human,
right, for which We are only single
champion.
Submarines Outlaws ~ Used.
"When / addressed the congress on
the 26th OF February last, thought
that it would suffice, to assert our
neutral rights with ar1ns-our right
to use the seas against unlawful inter-
ference our right to keep our people
safe against unlawful violence. But
armed neutrality, it now appears, is
impracticable. Because submarines are
in effect outlaws when used as the
Germans are using them. against mer-
chant shipping, 1t is impossible to de-
fend ships against their attacks, as the
law OF nations has deemed that mer-
chantmen would defend themselves
against privateers or cruisers or craft
giving chase on the open seas. It Ia
common prudence In such instances.
grim necessity indeed, to endeavor tc
destroy them before they have shown
Their own intentions. They must be
dealt with by fight If dealt with at all.
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