New Britain herald., 1917-03-20
LET US HIT HARD,'
 ROOSEVELT URGES
Colonel Reviews Grievances and
 Says It's Time to Act

Oyster Bay, L. l., March 20.-"I4et us wage war on Germany with all our energy and courage. and regain the right to look the whole world in the eyes without finching,'' said Colonel Theodore Roosevelt in a statement given out for publication for today's newspapers. The statement follows:
 ''Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, l.. l.,
 March 19, 1917.
 ''The news this morning of the sinking of our three ships, with loss of American life, makes it imperative that every self-respecting American should speak out and demand that we hit hard and effectively. in return. Words are wasted upon Germany. What we need Is effective and thorough-going action.
 Seven weeks have passed since Germany renewed with the utmost ruthlessness her never wholly aban- doned submarine war against neutrals and non-combatants. She then noti- fled our government of her intention. This notification was itself a declara- ton of war and should have been treated as such. During the seven weeks that have since elapsed she has steadily waged war upon us. It has been war of murder upon us; she has killed American women and chill dren as we'll as American men upon the high seas. She has asked Mexico and Japan to join with her in dis this country. If these are not overt acts of war, then Lexington and Bunker Hill were not overt acts of war. It Is we'll to remember that during the last two years the Ger mans have killed as many, or almost as many, Americans as were slain at Lexington and Bunker Hill; and the British in open conflict slew armed American fighting men, the Americans whom the Germans and unarmed men going peacefully about their lawful business.
 Pro-German Americans Traitors.
 Such are the conditions. Any American citizen who is now pro-Ger- man is a traitor to this country; as much a traitor as any Tory who up- held the British cause against Wash ington. As for the pacifists. they stand on g level with the copperheads who, in 1864, denounced and aSsailed Abraham Lincoln.
 Seven weeks ago we broke rela- q nently proper. But 1t amounted to nothing. it was an empty gesture. un- less it was followed up by vigorous and efficient action. Yet during seven weeks Ca time as long as the entire duration of the war between Prus- sia and Austria in 1S66) we have done We have not even prepared. We have spent our time discussing the proposal to pay Colombia $25,- OOO,OOO blackmail, to atone for hav- ing refused to pay her $1O.O00.000 of blackmail fourteen years ago. In the days when this republic prixed man. hood, favorite motto was millions for defense but not a cent for trib- ute Apparently our present motto is, twenty-five millions for tribute but not a cent for defense.
 ''Under existing conditions armed neutrality is only another name for timid war; and Germany despises tinn- idity as she despises all other forms of feebleness. She does not wage timid war herself, and she neither respects nor understands 1t in others.
 Seemingly her submarine warfare has failed. and is less menacing now than 1t was seven weeks ago. We are protfiing, and shall profit, by this failure. But we have done nothing te, bring 1t about. It has been due solely to the efficiency of the British navy. We have done nothing to se- cure our own safety or to vindfcate our own honor. We have been con- tent to shelter ourselves behind the fleet of foreign power.
 ..Such position is intolerable to all self-respecting Americans who are proud of the great heritage handed down to them by their fathers and their fathers fathers. Let us dare to look the truth in the face. Let us dare to use our own strength in our own defense and strike hard for our national interest and honor. There is no question about going to war;" Germany is already at war with us. The only question for us to decide