The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-04-06
TEXT OF PRESIDENT
WILSON'S ADDRESS
TO CONGRESS ON WAR

Washington, April 2.-President
Wilson in his address to CONGRESS- said:
! have called the congress into eN-
uaordinary session because there are
serious, very serious choices Of policy
70 be made. and made Immediately,
to which it was neither right, nor con-
stitutionally permissible that | should
assume the responsibility
On the third of February last Of
ieially laid before you the eXtraordi-
nary announcement of the imperial
German government that on and after
the first day of February it was its
purpose to put aside all restraints of
law or humanity and use its subma-
rines to sink every vessel that sought
to approach either the ports Of Great
Britain and Ireland or the western
coast of Europe or any of the ports
controlled by the enemies of Germany
within 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 had
somewhat restrained the commanders
of it's undersea craft in conformity
with its promise then given to us that
passenger boats should not be sunk
and that due warning would be given
to all other vessels which its subma-
rines might seek to destroy, when no
resistance was offered or escape at
tempted and care taken that their
crews were given at least a fair chance
to save their lives in their open boats.
The precautions taken were meagre
and hazardous enough, as was proved
in distressing instance after instance
in the progress of the cruel and un-
manly business, but a certain degree
Of restraint was observed.
The new policy has swept every res
friction aside Vessels of every kind,
whatever their flag, their character,
their cargo, their destination, their
errand, have been ruthlessly sent to
the bottom without warning and with
out thought Of help or mercy for those
on board the vessels of friendly neu-
trails along with those of belligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships carry
ing relief to the sorely bereaved and
stricken people Of Belgium, though the
latter were provided with safe conduct
through the prescribed areas by the
German government itself, and were
distinguished by unmistakable marks
Of identity, have been sunk with the
same reckless lack of compassion or
Of principle,
] was for a little while unable to |
believe that such things would in fact
be done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane prac
tees Of civilized nations. information
al law had it origin in the attempt to
set up some law which would be re-
spected and observed upon the seas,
where no nation had right of dominion |
and where lay the free highways of the
world. By painful stage after stage
has that law been built up with mea-
gre enough results, indeed, after all !
was accomplished that could be accom-
plished, but always with a clear view,
at least, Of what the heart and con-
science of mankind demanded.
This minimum of right the German
government has swept aside under the
plea of retaliation and necessity, and
because it had no weapons which it |
could use at sea except those which it !
is impossible to employ as it is en-
ploying them without throwing to the
winds all scruples of humanity or Of |
respect for the understandings that
were supposed to underlie the inter-
couse Of the world.
| am not now thinking of the loss
of property involved, immense and
serious as that is, but only Of the .
wanton and wholesale destruction Of
the lives of noncombattants, men, wo-
men 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 peace
full and innocent people cannot be. The