Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-03-01
ASKS POWER
+. TOT Defend
SHIPPING
President Again Be-
fore Congress.
PLANS NOT ANNOUNCED
Pleads for Authority to Take
Such Steps as He May
Deem Necessary,
PLANS NOT ANNOUNCED

Washington. Feb. 27.-president
Wilson appeared before q Joint ses-
sion Of congress and asked for au-
thority to place the United States in
a state of armed neutrality" to re-
sist the German submarine menace
Continued invasion OF the plain
rights of neutrals on the high seas,
further sacrifices Of American lives
and ships, the intolerable blockade OF
American commerce-almost as effect
ual as if the country were at war
have taken the place of a dreaded
covert act" which was expected to
shock the world-and have forced the
president into the next step toward
war.
President Wilson IN asking to be
empowered to take whatever steps
are necessary. which includes the arm
ing Of ships. the conveying Of mer-
chantmen by war vessels or what 9TH
Br steps are necessary. made it plain
again that he wanted peace, but not
at the price of American lives and
rights or by driving the American flag
from The seas.
Congress is expected not only TO
authorize the president to use the
to provide money.
Is Not Contemplating War.
ut is devoutly to be hoped" said
the president at one point, that it
will not be necessary to put armed
forces anywhere into action. | am
not now preparing or contemplating
war or any steps that need lead to it.
War can come only by the willful acts
and aggressiOns OF others.
Continuing his remarks the presi
dent said:
81 merely request that you will &C
cord me by your own vote and def
nite bestowal the means and the au.
thority to safeguard in practice the
Fights OF a great people who are at
peace and who are DESTROYS of exer.
cising none but the rights Of peace,
20 follow the pursuit OF peace in quiet
ness and good ~will-rights recognized
time out Of mind by all the civilized
nations OF the world. No course of
my choosing Or o theirs will lead to
war.
"War can come only by the willful
acts and aggressions of others.
You will understand why I can
make no definite proposals or fore.
casts of action now. and must ask
for your supporting authority in the
most general terms.
"The form in which action NAV be.
come necessary cannot yet be fore.
seen.
Hopes Public vii! Trust Him.
L believe thar the people will be
willing to trust The to act with re.
s5traint. with prudence, and in the true
spirit OF amity and good faith that
they have themselves disDioyed
throughout these trying months; and
it is in that belief that / request tina
yen viii authorize me to supply oul
merchant ships with defensive arms
should that become necessary, ana
with the means OF using them. and tc
employ any other instrumentalities OF
methods that may be necessary and
adequate to protect our ships. and oul
fseople. in their legitimate and peace
ful pursuits on the seas.
~ request, also, that you will grant
c1e at the same time, along with the
powers I ask, a sufficient credit to en-
able me to provide adequate means o.
protection where they are lacking, in
'lnding adequate insurance against
she present war risks.
II am thinking not only of the
rights Of Americans to go and come
about their proper business by way
of the sea-, but also of something mucl
deeper. much more fundamental.
81 am thinking Of those rights o.
humanity without which there Is nc
civilization"