The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-27
American O0mmercc SUFFERING


vereiy than 1t was already suffering
before the first OF February, when the
new policy of the imperial government
was put into operation. we nave
asked the corporation of the other
neutral governments to prevent these
depredations. but so far none or them
has thought 1t wise to join us in any
common course OF action. our own
commerce has suffered, Ia sufering'
rather in apprehension than in fact'
rather because so many of our ships
are tmidly keeping to their nome
ports than because American SHIPS
have been sunk.
Two American vessels have oeen
sunk--the Housatonic and the Lyman
M Law. The case of the Housatonic,
which was carrying foodstuffs con-
signed to a London firm. was essen
TALLY like the case Of the Fry, IN
which, It will be recalled. the German
government admitted its liability ror
damages, and the lives Of the crew, as
in the case Of the Fry, were safe
guarded with reasonable care. Inc
case Of the Law, which was carrying
lemon box slaves to Palermo, disclosed
a ruthlessness of method which de-
serves grave condemnation, but was
accompanied by no circumstances
which might not have been expected
at any time in connection with the use
Of the submarine against merchant
men as the German government had
used It.
Overt Act Has Not Occurred
In sum, therefore, the situation we
find ourselves In with regard to the
actual conduct OF the German subma-
rine warfare against commerce and
its effects upon our own ships ana
noople Is substantially the same that
It was when addressed YOU on the
third of February, except for the tying
up OF our shipping in our own ports
because OF the unwillngness Of our
ship owners TO risk their vessels at
sea without insurance or adequate pro
lection, and the serious congestion of
our commerce, which has resulted.
congestion which is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day
This In itself mighty presently accom-
plish, in effect. what the new German
submarine orders were meant to ac-
complIsh. so far as we are concerned.
We can only say, therefore, that the
overt act which I have ventured to
hope the German commanders would
In fact avoid has not occurred.
But, while this is happily true. 1t
must be admitted that there have been
certain additional indications and ex-
presstons OF purpose on the part Of the
German press and the German au-
thorltes which have increased rather
than lessened the impression that, X
our ships aad-esf- people SHARED
1t will be because OF fortunate cir
cumstances or because the command
ers of the German submarines which
they may happen to encounter exer-
else an unexpected discretion and re-
strain rather than because of the in
gfrHctinnS nn6ar which +bnxn
manders are acting. 1t would be fool
ish to deny that the situation is
fraught with the gravest possibilities
and dangers No thoughtful man can
fail to see that the necessity for def
mite action may come at any time. II
we are in fact and not in word mere
~ to defend our elementary rights as
n neutral nation. 1t would be most
imprudent to be unprepared
Asks Authority.
] cannot in such circumstances be
unmindful OF the fact that the expi-
ration of the term of the present con-
gress is Immediately at hand by con-
stitutional limitation, and that II
would in all likelihood require an
unusual length Of time to assemble
and organize the congress which Is to
succeed 1t. l feel that 1 ought, in
view OF that fact to obtain from you
full and immediate assurance of the
authority which I may need at any
moment to exercise. No doubt I al
ready possess that authority without
special warrant OF law, by the plain
application OF my constitutional
duties and powers. but I prefer, in
the present circumstances not to act
upon general Implication. wish to
feel that the authority and the power
Of the congress arc behind me in
whatever it may become necessary
for me to do. We are Jointly he
servants of the people and must act
together and in their spirit. so far as
we can divine and interpret It.
No one doubts what it is our duty
to do. We must defend our COM
merce and the lives OF our people In
the midst of the present trying cir
cumstances with discretion. but with
clear and steadfast purpose. Only
the method and the extent remain to
be chosen. upon the occasion, If oc-
casion should indeed arise. Since IL
has unhappily proved impossible TO
safeguard our neutral rights by dip
tomatic means against the unwar-
ranted heterogeneous they are suf-
fering at the hands Of Germany. there
may be no recourse but to armed
neutrality, which we shall know how
to maintain and for which there Is
abundant American precedent
Would Preserve xNeaee.
It is devotedly to be hoped that IL
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The
American people do not desire II and
our spirit In which I am now acting,
the purpose / hold nearest my heart
and would wish to exhibit in every
thing / do, | ann anxious that the
people of the nations at war also
should understand and not mistrust
us. hope that I need give no fur
Their proofs and assurances than |
have already given throughout nearly
three years OF anxious patience that
/ am the friend OF peace and mean
to preserve it for America so long
as am able. | am not now propos-
ing or contem plating war on any
steps that need lead to it. I merely
request that you will accord me by
your own vote and definite bestowal
the means and the authority to safe
guard in Practice the right of a great
people who are at peace and who are
desfrous OF exercising none but the
rights or peace to follow the pursuits
OF peace In quietness and good will
rights recognized time out Of mind
by all the civilized nations of the
world. No course of my choosing or
of theirs Will lead ~ r,or