Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-26
PRESIDENT SEEKS
FULL AUTHORITY TO
HANDLE SITUATION
In Address Before Congress
the. Chief Executive Asks
the Nation Be Placed on
a Basis of Armed Neu-
trality.

Washington, Feb. 90
President Wilson today ap-
pealed to a joint session of
congress for permission to
arm American merchant
men, to establish an armed
neutrality and for full and
immediate assurance that he
may exercise such authority
as he deems necessary in
handling the German-Amer-
lean situation.
Declaring that che is the
friend of peace and means
to preserve it for America"
as long as he is able, the
president emphasized the
fact that he neither asks nor
contemplates a step which
might bring war through the
action of this country. He
declared that war could only
come through an act of Ger
many.
WAR THE LAST RESORT.
mo course Of my choosing will lead
to war;" he said. war can come only
by the wiful acts and aggression OF
others"
He added In almost the next sentence
that we must defend our commerce
and the lives o. our people"
He emphasized that while he may
now have full power to take what steps
are necessary, n desires that congress
by its own vote" show that It Ia be-
hind him in whatever he may decide
Is necessary.
While he asks specifically for power
to arm ships, he said he could not be
any more specific. since he can only
decide as the situation develops what
specific thing should be done.
CREDIT 10 ASKED.
The president also asked "a Wlffi-
cient credit to enable me to provide
adequate means Of protection where
they are lacking, including insurance
against the present war risks"
The house galleries were packed with
people. who sat in tense silence as the
president outlined the International de-
velopmetns since Germany issued her
U-boat decree.
49, <,H T..
German sub SCI. campaign ARE not yet
fully disclosed" the president said. and
the overt act has not occurred, 1T will
be foolish to deny that the situation is
fraught with grayest possibilities and
dangers"
COMMITTEE MEETING CALLED.
Following informal conferences in
which house and senate Democratic
leaders and Secretary Of the Treasury
McAdoo participated, the house foreign
affairs committee and the senate for
cign relations committee were hurried
ly called this afternoon to discuss the
presidents proposals.
CONGRESS ATTENTIVE.
Realizing that the step taken by the
president draws the United States r,ea-
surably nearer open hostilities with the
German government, congress listened
with deepest gravity to the presidents =
The determination of the German
to carry out her ruthless
U-boat warfare was cited by the pres
ident in series Of offenses against
America and other neutrals since the
diplomatic freak Feb. 3.
The time has come. the president de-
when interests other th9n ma
teriai things must be considered II the |
United States In to uphold the rights
and privileges Of her citizens.
TEXT OF AO0Rese.
The presidents address follows:
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
Il have again asked the privilege Of
addressing you because we are moving
through critical times during which |
II seems to me to be my duty to keep |
In close touch with the houses Of con. |
grcss. 20 that neither counsel nor ac- |
tion shall run at cross purposes be.
Tween, us.
''On the third Of February. off,
cially informed you Of the sudden and |
action OF the imperial DER |
man government In declaring IL In. |
(continued on Page Fivs.)