UNITED STATES ARMS MERCHANT VESSELS
President’s Address to Congress.—On February 26 President Wilson addressed Congress, requesting that he be given definite authorization " to supply our merchant vessels with defensive arms should that become necessary, and with the means of using them, and to employ any other instrumentalities or methods that may be necessary or adequate to protect our ships and our people in their legitimate and peaceful pursuits on the seas."
The President directed attention to the sinking of the American ships Housatonic and Lyman M. Law, and to the tying up of American shipping in home ports. He referred to his proposed policy as one of "armed neutrality." The address closed as follows:
"I believe that the people will be willing to trust me to act with restraint, with prudence, and in the true spirit of amity and good faith that they have themselves displayed throughout these trying months; and it is in that belief that 1 request that you will authorize me to supply our merchant ships with defensive arms should that become necessary, and with the means of using them, and to employ any other instrumentalities or methods that may be necessary and adequate to protect our ships and our people in their legitimate and peaceful pursuits on the seas. I request also that you will grant me at the same time, along with the powers I ask, a sufficient credit to enable me to provide adequate means of protection where they are lacking, including adequate insurance against the present war risks.
"I have spoken of our commerce and of the legitimate errands of our people on the seas, but you will not be misled as to my main thought— the thought that lies beneath these phrases and gives them dignity and weight. It is not of material interest merely that we are thinking. It is, rather, of fundamental human rights, chief of all the right of life itself.
"I am thinking not only of the rights of Americans to go and come about their proper business by way of the sea, but also of something much deeper, much more fundamental than that. I am thinking of those rights of humanity without which there is no civilization. My theme is of those great principles of compassion and of protection which mankind has sought to throw about human lives, the lives of non-combatants, the lives of men who are peacefully at work keeping the industrial processes of the world quick and vital, the lives of women and children and of those who supply the labor which ministers to their sustenance. We are speaking of no selfish material rights, but of rights which our hearts support and whose foundation is that righteous passion for justice upon which all law, all structures alike of family, of state, and of mankind must rest, as upon the ultimate base of our existence and our liberty.
"I cannot imagine any man with American principles at his heart hesitating to defend these things."
Action of Congress.—A bill authorizing the President to supply American merchant ships with arms (without the authority to "use other instrumentalities") and providing for a $100,000,000 bond issue to insure ships and cargoes, passed the House March 1 by a vote of 403 to 13, but as a result of opposition on the part of 11 members the bill failed to come to a vote in the Senate before the close of the 64th Congress. Seventy-six Senators signed a manifesto expressing their support of the bill. On the evening of March 4 the President issued a statement, deploring the Senate's failure to act, and pointing out the necessity of an alteration of Senate rules. On March 8 the Senate adopted a rule of cloture providing that on a two-thirds vote speeches should be limited to one hour.
Decision Reached.—On March 9 the President announced his conviction that he had the power to arm merchantmen and was free to exercise it at once, and on March 12 the decision to arm our vessels was conveyed to foreign governments in the following memorandum:
"In view of the announcement of the Imperial German Government on January 31, 1917, that all ships, those of neutrals included, met within certain zones of the high seas, would be sunk without any precaution taken for the safety of the persons on board, and without the exercise of visit and search, the government of the United States, has determined to place upon all American merchant vessels sailing through the barred areas an armed guard for the protection of the vessels and the lives of the persons on board."
According to press statements, guns and gun-crews are to be provided by the navy. Merchant vessels are considered to retain the same status as if unarmed. In supplying guns, no distinction will be made between ships with contraband and ships with non-contraband cargoes.
Submarine Attacks.—An act in direct violation of the Sussex pledge occurred in the sinking of the Cunarder Laconia, at 10.30 p. m., February 25. The attack occurred without warning, in a heavy sea. Among the 294 on board, there were six American passengers and 14 crew. Thirteen lives were lost, including two Americans, Mrs. Mary and Miss Elizabeth Hoy.
At 6 a. m. on March 12 the American steamer Algonquin, New York to London with foodstuffs, was fired upon without warning and sunk by shell fire from a German submarine. The attack, in which no lives were lost, occurred near the Scilly Isles.
German Proposal to Mexico
On February 28 the Associated Press published a letter from Secretary Zimmerman, German Foreign Minister, to be transmitted to the German Minister in Mexico, von Eckhardt, outlining terms for an alliance with Mexico and suggesting Mexican mediation between Germany and Japan.
Upon the request of the Senate, Secretary Lansing on March 1 verified the authenticity of this letter, which is said to have been in the hands of the State Department at the time of the diplomatic rupture with Germany. The text follows:
[Authentic copy of the German Foreign Minister's note to the German Minister in Mexico.]
"Berlin, January 19, 1917.
"On the 1st of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
"If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.
"You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States, and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan. At the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.
"Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
"Zimmerman."
"Appam" to British Owners
A unanimous opinion of the Supreme Court on March 6 awarded to the English owners the liner Appam and her cargo, sent into Hampton Roads by the German raider Mozue.—N. Y. Nation, 15/3.
"Yarrowdale" Men Released
The 59 Yarrowdale prisoners held by Germany since December 31 were released and crossed the border into Switzerland on March 11. One seaman of French-Canadian family was detained. The men had been nominally free since February 16, but, according to the German statement, were held on account of the existence of infectious disease in their camp.
Austrian Note to United States
Ambassador Penfield on February 20 presented a formal request to Austria for an explanation of its attitude as to the pledges made after the Ancona sinking (note of December 21, 1915), in view of Austria's declarations of January 31 and February 16, 1917, joining with Germany in unrestricted submarine warfare.
To this request Austria replied in a note published March 7. After extended reference to the illegality of the British and Italian blockades, the note asserted: (1) that the legal requirement of warning to merchant vessels is fulfilled by a "general warning" issued by the belligerent state; (2) that armed vessels may be sunk without notice; (3) that neutrals may be warned not to travel or ship goods in vessels of belligerent nationality; (4) that neutrals forfeit all rights to protection by entering regions where warlike operations are taking place. In view of these considerations, the note contends that the Ancona pledges are not violated.
CHINA SEVERS RELATIONS WITH GERMANY
On March 14 China broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, handed the German minister his passports, and seized several German merchant vessels in the port of Shanghai, disembarking the crews and placing them under guard on shore. The pledges made by Germany, as published February 25, to respect Chinese life and property so far as possible without altering her submarine campaign, were considered unsatisfactory. The decision to break with Germany was reached by the Chinese Cabinet on March 4, but was delayed by President Li Yuan-Hung. On March 10 the President and Cabinet appeared before the House and requested approval of a severance of relations, which was given by a vote of 431 to 87.
Washington, March 2.—China desires to obtain the complete remission of the Boxer indemnities, which exceed $30,000,000 a year, and continue until 1940. If she entered the war, the part of the indemnity which otherwise would be paid to Austria and Germany could be repudiated. Information here indicates that the Entente already has agreed to postpone payments in case China begins hostilities, but does not corroborate Tientsin advices that France and Belgium, in behalf of the powers, have offered complete remission.
China also desires consent of the powers to increase her import duties which under the existing treaty not only cannot exceed 5 per cent ad valorem, but are based on the average prices of 1807, 1898, and 1899. The United States has long urged this on the other 16 signatory powers, but thus far only Japan and Great Britain have given full consent. Others have consented under varying extreme restrictions.
The Entente powers, on their part, are anxious to have China in the war, not only as a reservoir of men, but as the biggest open trade market after the war. Already, under agreement with local syndicates, headed by French and British residents, more than 100,000 Chinese laborers and agriculturists have gone to increase the Entente's man power, the great majority to France.—N. Y. Times, 3/3.
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
On March 12-14 a rapid and almost bloodless revolution swept the Russian Czar off the throne and ended in the complete ascendancy of the provisional government set up by the Duma. At midnight on March 15 Emperor Nicholas abdicated on behalf of himself and his son, in favor of his younger brother, the Grand Duke Michael. On the following day the Grand Duke expressed his unwillingness to take control until the form of government was decided upon and the leader selected by the popular will manifested in a representative assembly. The revolution was directed against elements in the Russian Government which favored separate peace with Germany and opposed domestic reforms essential to vigorous prosecution of the war.
Official Statement
The following official report was issued in Petrograd on March 14:
"The population of Petrograd, incensed by the complete disorganization of transport services and of alimentation, have been irritated for a long time against the government and had become restless. The population held the government responsible for all its sufferings. The government, expecting trouble, took measures on a large scale in order to maintain order, and, among other things, ordered the dissolution of the Council of the Empire and the Duma.
"The Duma, however, on March 11, decided not to accept the imperial ukase, but to continue its meetings. The Duma immediately instituted an executive committee, presided over by M. Rodzianko, president of the Duma. That committee declared itself to be a provisional government.
"The executive committee rested itself upon the population of the capital, which was in full revolution, and upon the army, completely united with the revolutionists. It arrested all the ministers and sent them to jail. The Duma declared that the Ministerial Cabinet no longer existed.
"To-day, on the third day of the revolution, the capital, where order is returning swiftly, is completely in the hands of the executive committee of the Duma and of the troops which garrisoned Petrograd, and numbered more than 30,000, which troops support the revolution. Deputy Engelhard, Colonel of the Great General Staff, has been appointed commander of Petrograd by the committee."
Policy of New Government.—In the new Cabinet established by the Duma, Prince Lvoff, a Zemstvo leader prominent in the Revolution of 1904-05, was made Premier, President of the Council, and Minister of the Interior—the latter an office of primary importance, formerly held to Protopopoff, the chief power in the old Cabinet. Prof. Paul Miliukoff, twice banished for his political opinions, was made Minister of Foreign Affairs. Pending the election of a constituent assembly, the Cabinet announced the following policies:
"First. An immediate general amnesty for all political and religious offences, including terrorist acts and military and agrarian offences.
"Second. Liberty of speech and of the press; freedom for alliances, unions, and strikes, with the extension of these liberties to military officials within the limits admitted by military requirements.
"Third. Abolition of all social, religious, and national restrictions.
"Fourth. To proceed forthwith to the preparation and convocation of a constitutional Assembly, based on universal suffrage, which will establish a governmental regime.
"Fifth. The substitution of the police by a national militia, with chiefs to be elected and responsible to the government.
"Sixth. Communal elections to be based on universal suffrage.
"Seventh. The troops which participated in the revolutionary movement will not be disarmed, but will remain in Petrograd.
"Eighth. While maintaining strict military discipline for troops on active service, it is desirable to abrogate for soldiers all restrictions in the enjoyment of social rights accorded other citizens.
"The provisional government desires to add that it has no intention to profit by the circumstances of the war to delay the realization of the measures of reform above mentioned."—N. Y. Times, 17/3.
Reforms Pledged by Bethmann Hollweg
A first reflection abroad of the Russian upheaval is seen in Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg's stirring speech before the Prussian Diet on March 14, in which he pledged the democratization of Germany by thorough-going, post-bellum reforms. The effect of the speech was to patch up the weakening political truce between Conservative and Liberal elements in Germany.
Cabinet Changes in France
On March 14 Gen. Lyautey resigned as French War Minister, following a clash with the Chamber of Deputies arising from ignorance of parliamentary procedure. Reports of March 17 indicated a reorganization of the Cabinet, in which departments now combined under one minister would be restored to their former status; but on March 18 all members of the Briand Ministry resigned. A new Cabinet, with twelve members and an Under Secretary for Aviation, was formed March 19 by M. Alexandre Ribot, Minister of Finance in the Briand Cabinet.