WILSON ASKS POWER TO DEALIN CRISIS Executive Bequests Authority of Congress to Declare Armed Neutrality. TALKS TO JOINT SESSION Itontlnneel From Page Om.) theirs," said he, "will lead to war. War can come only by the willful acts and aggressions of others." Text of Address. The president said: "Gentlemen of the congress: I have , again asked the privilege of address ing you because we are moving through critical times during, which it seems to me to be my duty to keep in close touch with the houses nor action shall run at cross purposes between us. t "On the 3d of February I offi cially informed you of the sudden and unexpected action of the imperial gov ernment in declaring its intention to disregard the promises it had made to this government in April last and undertake immediate submarine operations against . all :ommerce, whether of belligerents or of reutrals, that should seek to approach Great Britain and Ireland, the Atlantic ' coasts of Europe or the harbors of the eastern Mediterranean and to conduct those operations without Regard to the established restrictions of interna tional practice, without regard to any rnnaiderations of humanity which might interfere with their object That policy was forthwith put into prac tice. It has now been in active exe cution for nearly four weeks. ''Its practical results are not fully disclosed. The commerce of other neutral nations Is suffering severely, but not, perhaps, very much more se verely than it was already suffering before the 1-t of February, when the new policy of the imperial German snvernment wai out into operation. We have asked the co-operation of the other neutral governments to pre vent these depredations, but I fear none ot them thought it wise to join 11a In inv common course of action. Our own commerce has suffered. Is suffering, rather in apprehension than in fact, rather because so many of our ships ere timidly keeping to their home porta than because American , snips nave been tunic Two American Vtssala Sunk. Two American vessels have been sunk the Housatonic and the Lyman M. Law. The case of the Housa tonic, which wai carrying foodstuffs rnnsizned to London, was essentially like the case of the Frye, in which, it will be recalled, the German govern ment admitted Its liability for dam ages, and the lives ot tne crew, as in the case of the Frye, were safeguarded with reasonable care. "the ease of the Law, which wai carrying box staves to Palermo, dis closed a ruthleasness of method which deserves grave condemnation, but was accompanied by no circumstances which might not have been expected . ' at anv time in connection with the use of the submarine against mer- CUailUncn MIC wi.imh uiiimui has used it i . "In sum. therefore, the situation we find ourselves in with regard to the ac tual conduct of the German submarine ' warfare against commerce and its ef fects upon our own ships and people is substantially the same as it was when I addressed yon on the 3d of - February except for the tying up of our shipping in our own ports be cause ot the unwillingness of our ship owners to risk their vessels at sea without insurance or sdeauate protec tioa and the very serious congestion of our commerce which hss resulted, a congestion which is growing rap idly more and more serious every day. ' Blockade in Fact This in Itself might presently ac complish, in effect, what the new Ger man suomarine orders were meant to cerned. We can only say, therefore, that the overt act which I have ven tured to hope the German command' ers would in fact avoid has not oo curred, "But while this is happily true it must be admitted that there have been certain additional Indications and ex pressions of purpose on the part of the German press and the German author ities which have increased rather than lessened the Impression that If our ships and our people are spared it will be because of fortunate circum stances or because the commanders of the German submarines which they may happen to encounter exercise an unexpected discretion and restraint rather than because of the instructions under which those commanders are acting. Situation Most Critical. "It would be foolish to deny that the situation is fraught with the grav- rst possibilities and dangers. No thoughtful man can fail to see that the necessity for definite action may come at any time, if we are in fact, and not m word merely, to defend our elementary rignis as a neutral nation. it would be most imprudent to be un prepared. . "I cannot in such circumstances bi unmindful of the fact that the expira tion ot the term ot the present con. gress is immediately at hand, by con' stitutional limitations, and that it would in all likelihood require an un usual length of time to assemble and organize the congress which is to suc ceed it. "I feel that I ought, in view of that lact. to obtain from you full and im mediate assurance of the authority 1 may need at any moment to exer cise. No doubt I already possess that gwer without special warrant of war by the plain implication of my con' sdtutional limitations, and that it pneter, in the present' circumstances, not to act unon general imnlication. f wish to feel that the authority and the power of the congress are behind me ui whatever it may become neces sary for me to do. We are jointly the servants of the people and must act together and in their spirit, so far as we can divine and interpret it, Duty of Government Clear. "No one doubts what it is our dutv to do. IV'e must defend our commerce and the lives of our people in the midst ot the present trying circunv stances, with discretion, but with clear and steadfast purpose. Onjy the method and the" extent remain to be chosen, upon the occasion, if occa' simi should indeed arise. "Since it has unhappily proved itu- possible to safeguard our neutral rights by diplomatic means 'against the unwarranted infringements they are suffering at the hands of Ger many there may be no recourse but armed neutrality, which we snail know how to maintain and for which there is abundant American precedent. It H devoutly to be hoped that will not be necessary to put armed forces anywhere into action. The American people do not desire it and our desire is not different from theirs. I am sure that they will understand the spirit in which I am now acting, the purpose I hold nearest my heart and would wish to exhibit in every thing I do. I am anxious that the people of the nations at war also snouia understand ana not mistrust I hone that I need give no fur ther proofs and assurances -than I have already given throughout the nearly three years of anxious pa tience that I am the friend of peace d mean to preserve it for America long as 1 am able. 1 am not now Drooosinn or contemplating war, or any steps that need lead to it. I merely request -that you will accord me by your own vote and definite be stowal the means and the authority safeguard in practice the right of great people who are at peace and who are desirous of exercising none but the rights of peace to follow the pursuit 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 to war. War can come only by the wilful acts and ag gressions of others. Sinews of War Needed. You will understand why I can make no definite proposals or fore casts of action now and must ask for your supporting authority in the most general terms. I he torm in which action may become necessary cannot yet be foreseen. I believe that the people will be willing to trust me to act with restraint, with prudence and .1- - i -r T. i tne true spirit 01 amity aim goou ith that thev have themselves dis played throughout these trying months and it 'is in that belief that request that you will authorize me to supply our merchant ships with de fensive arms should that become nec essary and with the means of using them and to employ any other instru mentalities or methods that may be necessary and adequate to protect our ships and our people In their legiti mate 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 ade quate means of protection where they are lacking, including adequate insur ance against the present war risks. Human Rights Paramount '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 businesa by way of the seas, but also of something much deeper, much more fundamental than that I am thinking ot those rights ,of humanity without which there Is no civilization. My theme is of those great principles' of compas sion and of protection which mankind has sought to throw sbout human lives, the lives of noneombatants, the Uvea 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 ngnts wnicn our ncaria support anu whose foundation is that righteous passion for justice upon which all law. alt structures alike of family of state and of mankind, must rest, as upon the ultimate base ot our exist ence and our liberty. I cannot imag' ine any man with American principles at nis neart Hesitating to detenu these things." Mrs. Groverman Wins Suit Against Omaha Concern A Jury In Judge Redick's court re- turned a verdict of $5,000 in favor of Mrs. Jennie C Groverman against the Omaha Alfalfa Milling company. She sued for $20,000 damages for injuries alleged to have been suffered when she was struck by a motor car owned by the milling company. Obituary Notes MTRTLK ROBERTS, seventh grade teacher at Webster school, died Sunday at 18(4 Dodge (treat ot heart diseaao. Sha served throe years in the t.maha Softools. Her home was at Alexandria, S. O. JAMES, 10-month-old son ot Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manglv Luoa, 1322 Hickory, died Sunday evening of double bronchial pneumonia. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morn Ing at i o'clock. Interment will be in Holy Bopulnner cemetery. ALSIO. 18-month-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Va Cants, 1532 North Seventeenth atreat. died Sunday even' Ing ot bronchitis. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at o'clock from St, Phllomena, church. Interment Swill be In Holy Sepulcher oemetery. THOMAS IIACOBS. 33 years old. farmer near Pacific Junction, died at a local hospital Sunday afternoon tol lowing a month a sickness of heart trouble. He Is survived by a wife and four children. The body was sent from swansons cnapel to pacific Junction, where burial will taks place J. R. POWERS, sued 6. a resident of Omaha for the last ntteen yeara died at the home of his son, Jack Powers, IBs! JLeavenworth atruet. Death waa due to paresis. Mr. Vom ers was a widower. Funeral servioea will be held Tuesday morning at 1:10 from the residence to St Phllomena church at 9 o'clock. Interment will be In Holy Sepulcher cemetery. M. M. PERRI8H, aged 17, promt nent newspaper man, died at his home, SODS North Twenty-second afreet. Death waa due to cancer. Ha had been 111 three years. Mr. Farrlsh waa born In Ohio in 161, coming to Nebraska in m. In 1881 he waa editor of the Paplllion Time For th last twenty-five years he practiced veterl nary aurgery. tie waa orom nent lodge circles, being a member of the Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World. He la aurvlved by two sisters. Mrs. J. Shipman of Red Cloud, Sarah vroi-aen or cnaico. Kan., and brother, P. Perrlah of Iowa. Besldee hie wife by second marriage, the fol lowing children survive him: Louis. Bert of Seneca, (Jeorge of Canada ana itaipn or umana. THE bee, -. ARROWDALE MEN FINALLYRELEASED S. Minister at Madrid Cables Spanish Foreign Office FULL DETAILSABE LACKING Washington, Feb. 36. -Ambassador Willard at Madrid cabled today that the Spanish foreign office had notified him that seventy-two American sail ors taken on the prize ship Yarrow dale into Germany had been released by Germany on February 16. No other details were given either as to the whereabouts of the men now or tne long delay in hearing from Berlin on the many requests for their release. The Yarrowdale prisoners, out of whose detention has grown one of the most serious collateral issues between the United States and Germany, once before were reported released and of ficials were not satisfied with today's cryptic announcement. An effort im mediately was made to clear up the details. Delay Hard to Explain. Amliiiiidnr Willard's dispatch was sent from Madrid late yesterday. The State department was at a loss to ex plain the ten days' delay between the time of the reported release and the ambassador's notification. On February 1, Ambassador Gerard report that the men were in a prison camp at Duelmen, Westfalen." Just before the break with Germany on February 3, a demand was sent for their immediate release and four days later an indirect dispatch was received from Ambassador Gerard saying they had been set free. Anxious to Get Them Out. This was followed on the 12th by a communication through the Swiss minister that they had been redetained because of reports that the crews of German ships in the United States had bene imonsoned.. Information as to the treatment of Germans and their property here was forwarded and fol lowed bv another demand for the re leasee of the Americans. Officials have been very anxious to get them out of Germany, since they virtually are being held as hostages. LINER LACONIA . SUNK BY SUBSEA OPF IRISH COAST (Cwsbuwst JTram Fill One,.) office of the British shipping commis sioner here contains the following names: W. Wrong. Baltimore; H. Smith, Louisville, Ky.j M. Shugled, J. T. Williams, B. Redrie, B. Cleveland, F, Smith, J. Fumpines, J. D. Brail, J. Lewar, J, Bowman, D. Adamaon, H, Sheoherd. I. Johnson. H. Young. L. Donnell, B. Carter, T. Coffey, A. Dwyer and C. Nesburg,. all of New York Uty. Sunk Without Warning. London. Feb. 26. It is ststed offi cislly that the Laconia was torpedoed without warning. Wesley Frost, American consul at Uueenstown, teiegrapnco tne Aitier. ican embassy here today: ' Cunardcr Laconia torpedoed 10:50 Sunday night Two hundred and sev enty-eight survivors. Details lacking, i - j j " The Laconia was one of the largest vessels of the Cunard fleet and the largest thus far sunk since the new German submarine warfare waa com menced. It registered 18,099 tons, was 600 feet long, seventy-one-foot beam and forty-foot depth. It was built in lyil at new issue ana was com manded by Captain W. R. D. Irvine. List of Americans Aboard, First csbin passengers aboard the Laconia totalled thirty-three and sec ond cabin forty-two. The crew num bered 216. There were no steerage passengers. I h Amnram ahnarri were A. T. Kirby, Bainbridge, N. J.; Mrs. F. E. Harris. New York: r. f. Gib bons of the Chicago Tribune; Mrs, Mary E. Hoy and Miss Elizabeth Hoy of Chicago, and the Kev. James Ware ing of New York. Five Thousand Sacks of Mail. Five thousand sacks of United States mail were carried by the La' conia, of which 1,300 were transferred from the American liner at, i-ouis when it was decide4, to hold the latter vessel in port. Many valuable secur ities snd documents sent by Ameri can business firms were supposed to be in the st. Louis man uigs. I he Central News says it is feared that the large amounto f mail which the Laconia was bringing from Amer ica has been lost. Virtually All Saved. Liverpool, Feb. 26. The Cunard company announces that there is rea son to believe that virtually all on board the steamer Laconia were saved. There were between 200 and 220 members of the crew snd from seventy to eighty passengers, of whom about one-half were in the first cabine. Fifteen Survivors Landed. Oueenstown. Feb. 26. Fifteen of tne Laconia i survivors are being landed. Others numbering 267, it is believed, are to land at about mid night. Preparations are being made to treat hospital cases., Recention for Guardsmen, Beatrice. Neb., Feb. 26. (Special. Telegram.) Three hundred peool attended a reception and banquet given litre tonight at the Christian church for company u patriotic ad dresses were made by Rev. B. F Gaither. A. H. Kidd, Lieutenant Colo nel Hollingworth, Captains Jones snd t. L. Brewster. No better food for growing kiddies can be found than Grape-Nuts There a ReasonT rmnTOAivi Text of Bill Giving Wilson The Authority He Requested Washington, Feb. 26. The text of the Flood bill giving President Wil son power to deal with the situation created by the U-boat warfare fol lows: "Be it enacted by the senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled, that the president of the United States be, and is hereby au thorized and empowered to supply merchant ships, the property of citi zens of the United States and bearing American registry with defensive arms should it in his judgmen: become necessary for him to do ao, and also with the necessary ammunition and means of making use of them in de fense against unlawful attack; and that he be and is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such other instrumentalities ana metnoas as may in his judgment and discretion seem necessary and adequate to protect such ships and the citizens of the United States in their lawful and peaceful pursuits on the high sea;. "Section 2 The sum of $100,000,000 hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated to be expended by the president of the United States for the purpose herein stated, the said au thority to be available until tne first dav of January. 1918: and the presi dent is authorized to transfer so much thereof as he may deem neces sary to the bureau of war risk insur ance, created by act of congress, ap proved September 2, 1914, for the pur pose of insuring vessels, their freight, passage moneys and cargoes against loss or damage lor tne present risics of war. "Section 3 For the purpose of meeting the expenditures herein au- CTJT-EL-AMARA TAKEN BY BRITISH t (CantlBucS lom Para One.) Amaha has been secured. Kut itself passes automatically into our hands. As tne ngnting has become ot an open character and our forces are dis posed on a wide Jront, it has not yet been possible to ascertain tuny tne Turkish losses in men and materials. Losses of British. Berlin. Feb. 26. fBv Wireless to Sayville.) According to the official news agency at Constantinople, the losses of the British in the recent ghting along the Tigris exceeded 30,000 men. Several- steamships crowded with wounded British sol diers have been sent away, the news agency says. Announced by Turkey. Constantinople (Via London). Feb. 26. The war office today announced withdrawal of the forces at Kut-hl- Amara. The announcement follows: "According to a prearranged plan and in order to effect a junction with reinforcements which have arrived, our troops which have held for a year advanced positions at Kut-El- Amana, as wen as positions to tne east and west of the town, have been withdrawn to the rear in an easterly direction. The movement' was en tirely unnoticed by the enemy." K.ut-,l-Amara, a strategic military position on the Tigris river leading to Bagdad, was surrendered to the Turks April 28, 1916, after General lownshend with a British force of some 9,000 troops hed withstood s siege since the previous December, Four Years in Prison For Misuse of Mails Lincoln, Fets, 26. In federal court tqday A. L. Baker, alias Charles Davis, was sentenced to serve tour years in the government prison at Fort Leavenworth. Baker pleaded guiltv to the charge of misuse of the mails in inviting people to buy chickens from the "Sunflower Paultry farm" at Falls City, Neb. The government alleged no such farm existed, but that Baker secured several hundred dollars from would-be buyers. The Quinine that Dom Not AkTeet the Head. Because or its tonio ana laxative eneci, Laxative Bromo Quinine can be -taken with out eauelnr nervouanene or ringing; In the head. There la onlr one "Bromo Quinine." h. W. OROVS'S signature on box. lie. Adv. A Good Trunk Bag or Suit Case should come from Freling&Steinle "Omaha's Beat Baggage ulMera" 1803 Farnam St Plan now to-attendth OMAHA MILLION DOLLAR AUTO SHOW For parlKtiiaTS, addrta $0S1 farnam St., Omaha, Neb. thorized, the secretary of the treasury, under the direction of the president is hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the United States and to issue therefor bonds of the United States not exceeding in the aggregate $100,000,000, said bonds to be in such form and subject to such terms and conditions, as the secretary of the treasury may prescribe, and to bear interest at the rate not exceeding 3 per centum per annum; provided, that such bonds shall be sold at not less than par, shall not carry the circulat ing privilege, and that all citizens of the United States shall be given an equal opportunity to subscribe there for, but no commission shall be al lowed or paid thereon; that both prin cipal and interest shall be payable in United States gold coin of the present standard of value, and be exempt from all taxation and duties of the United States as well as from taxation in any form of all state, municipal, or local authorities; that any bonds issued hereunder may, under such conditions as the secretary of the treasury may prescribe, be convertible into bonds bearing a higher rate of interest than 3 per centum per annum if my bonds shall be issued by the United States at a higher rate than 3 per centum per annum by virtue of any act passed on or before December 31, 1918. "Section 4 In order to pay the necessary expenses connected with said issue of bonds, or any conversions theerof, a sum not exceeding one-fifth of 1 per centum of the amount of bonds herein authorized to be issued or which may be converted, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated to, be expended as the secretary of the treasury may direct." Five Liners Will Sail Soon as Guns . Are Given Them New York Feb. 26. If President Wilson is authorized by tongress to arm ships to protect American mer chantmen on the high seas, the Amer ican line steamships tied up here will resume sailings as soon as guns can be provided, it was stated by the line's officials here today. The St. Louis, St. Paul, Philadel phia, New York ana Kroonland are at their New York docks, the line having declined to send them out un til the government furnished arma ment as defense against attack in the German submarine lone. The Fin land of the same line is on its way from Europe to this port. All the ships are passenger vessels, but the Kroonland is to be turned into a freighter. Stock Losses On the Range To Be Normal This Year W. D. Clifton, assistant general freight agent of the Union Pacific's Wyoming division, is at headquarters, his first visit since his promotion sev eral months ago. Mr. Clifton asserts that while the Wyoming winter has been unsually severe, with more than the normal fall of snow, the live stock losses, unless the spring is very late, will be only about normal. Funeral of Former Judge Button to Be Held Today Hastings, Neb., Feb. 26. (Special Telegram.) Funeral services for for mer County Judge Button, who died in Kansas City .Saturday afternoon, will be held at the. family residence here at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. DESKS CHAIRS and a complete lino, of Office .Equipment. Globe-Wernicke Co. Steal and Wood Film. Sanitary Offica Desk, Solid Oak, as low as $25.00. We invito you to sea our line Orchard & Wilhelm Co. 414-416-41S South 16th St. AUDITORIUM. FsAee Men. 3 Five Clergymen Will Help Honor Noted Negro At the Frederick Douglass memor ial exercises in Zion Baptist church Tuesdav evening the following will participate in the program: Rev. M. rl.a Wilkinson, JJr. vv. w. reemes, Misses Cochran and Stewart. Rev. W.' T. Osborne, M. F. Singleton, Mrs. Alphonzo Wilson, Dr. J. H. Hutten, Will N. Johnson, Amos P. Scruggs, Mrs. iJewey Allan, oeorge wens Parker, Mrs. J. Alice Stewart, Rev G. G. Logan, Rev. W. F. Botts and Rev. Thomas Taggart. Sells 4,000 Bushels of Potatoes at $2 Per Bushel Alliance, Neb., Feb. 26. Adolph Brost, a farmer living northeast of Alliance, sold 4,000 bushels of pota toes last week to Oscar O'Bannon for $2 a bushel. The tubers were sold m the Brost cellar and the buyer will bring them to town at his own ex Dense. Sneculators are offering to contract the Box Butte crop for 1917 at 75 cents a bushel, but few, if any, contracts are being made on this basis. ii-.ais)i,ji u. THOMPSON, BELDEN COMPANY Notice To Those Having Charge Accounts Purchases charged Tuesday and Wednesday appear on your statement of April first. Sport Skirts in Fashions Favorite Spring Styles The fabrics offer a startling array of newness in weave, pattern and color silk jersey, khaki kool, la jerz, yo san, poplins, fairaway silks, striped taffetas,- white satin shantung, flannel, wool jersey, serge, cotton, gabardines and novelty cloths. The whole rang of fashion's fancieg haa baan covered. Prices are reasonable. l t,rTmT I "How Do You Do It?" Mr. Business Man Asked His Wife "Here's the cost of everything gone up sky high and you keep the table on the same old allowance." "Why, I buy HARD ROLL BREAD. "It costs 10c, but it's a great big loaf that tastes good and takes the place of other thinga that cost more. "I can fix it in those sandwiches you like so well, put the end of it in a bread pudding and serve it in a hundred and one ways that satis fies everybody and keeps down expenses. "It's a Godsend these days." That's just what it is. ItV 'e best aud biggest value in food you can buy. Try HARD ROLL BREAD 10c. ' Baked electrically. It's Bigger and Better Petersen & Pegau Baking Co. FORMERLY U. P. Steam Baking Co. "3 ! n TWELFTH ANNUAL J AUTO SHOW GETS WELL UNDER WAY (Continued From Page One.) basement. And, for that matter, it isn't. It's a real Palm room and a very pretty one, one worth visiting. The truck display is in an annex built on Fourteenth street from How ard south to the alley. Sixty trucks, in cluding every manner of commercial vehicle from saucy little half-ton crafts to huge five-ton trucks, are exhibited. It is the most complete display of trucks ever assembled in Omaha. George Green's band of thirty pieces provides music on the main floor. Green's orchestra makes the syncopation in the Palm room. Truly m Genius. "Our Tommy," eaid the boy'j mother, "ought to make a aucceaa In Hie. He enowa great determination to stick to anything be undertakes. "Doee he?" queried the proud father. Teas" she replied. "Why. ha put In the whole day making aoap bubbles and trying to tie strings to them." New York Times. fitl-sa it., i, it KM.' -J