Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-28
MUST MAKE WORDS GOOD.

MUST MAKE WORDS GOOD.
He has pledged himself again and
again to protect our people in their
legitimate and peaceful pursuits on the
seas Now the occasion has como
which compels him to make his words
good. II those words mean anything.
the administration Is bound in honor
to ask congress to declare war Moth
ing short of a declaration of war will
suffice"
WORLD-'It is a disgrace to congress,
It is disgrace to the American people,
it is disgrace to the eternal princi-
pies Of the republic that there could
have been an hours wrangling and
haggling over the question whether the
United States should maintain it's hon
or or surrender abjectly to. German
ruthlessness.
There has been enough Of national
humiliation. A congress that is not
unqualifiedly and reservedly American
in this crisis has made itself the
kaiser's ally"
UNITED FRONT NEEDED.
HERALD--"All doubts about the ne
cessity Of the governments taking i'm
mediate steps for the adequate protec-
ton OF merchant vessels should be re-
moved by the unlawful sinking of the
Iaconia. So far as it is able Germany
Is translating its threats into action.
1T is of greatest importance that this
nation present a united front"
TIMES-"CasListry cannot disguise,
nor ingenuity palliate the crime of the
German submarine commander who
sank the Laconia. He murdered Amer
lean citizens. Every circumstance o.
atrocity is present in the case OF the
Laconia.
1--WE are now called upon to defend
the liberties of the nation.
Authority to take measures for de-
Tense must be conferred Ly the present
congress. If delay can ever be danger
Gus it would be dangerous now"
Following Is comment by news
papers over the country on the sink
ing of the Laconia and President Will
sons request for additional powers:
CHICAGO TRIBUNE-Thc nation Is
at the turning point of the road. The
president has asked for a painted lath
to WELD in a field Of steel. If congress
the nation for full and swift prepara-
ton. and. refusing the warnings Of ex-
perience, continues to shirk. and post
pone. we shall pay for it in blood and
humiliation.
WORLDS EYES ON CONGRESS.
CHICAGO HERALD-The eyes of
the world are turned on congress.
President Wilson has taken his unmis
taxable stand. But no one can speak
with assurance of IA congress that Is
still talking of a flibuster. 1t Is this
state OF mind which makes Germany
willing to undertake an outrage such
as the sinking Of the Laconia--the
long feared overt act. For congress to
fail at this crisis; to endure a filibuster
in order to escape making decision
would be a shameful exhibition of dis
loyalty and unforgivable. To refuse to
support the president would be little
short of national calamity.
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-D
The sinking of the Laconia Is striking
and convincing proof that the German
government Is putting unrestricted sub
marine warfare into operation. II the
president were surrounded by strong
official advisers whom the people could
trus. there would be less perturbation,
but he thinks and acts alone and the
past is no indication of infallible wis.,
dom.
SHOULD HAVE THE POWER.
ST. LOUIS REPUBLICAN-Pre
dent Wilson should be free. Congress
should give him power We are. in
short, in n situation such that the ex-
ecutive branch OF the government must
be strengthened. A board Of managers
may sail a ship in fair weather but II
they are wise they viii defer to the
captain when a storm threatens.
KANSAS CITY JOURNAI~-They
Uhe Germans) are liable to mistake
discussion for weakness and lack OF
loyalty. Nothing could be further from
the truth.
KANSAS CITY STAR--In this crisis
there Is no time for hesitation. Con-
gress ought to go the limit In backing
the president in energetic steps for
safe guarding American rights.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS-Con-
gress should give the president every
iota Of power for which he asks up to
the limits provided by the constitution.
But II Is our hope that the president
will also grant to congress it's fair
place IN the task that the sinking Of
the liner Laconia brings appreciably
nearer; that he will call the new con-