In all its old insolence, with all its ancient cruelty and injustice, military autocracy has again armed itself against the pacific hopes of men. Having suppressed self-government among its own people by an organization maintained in part by falsehood and treachery, it has set out to impose its will upon its neighbors and upon us. One by one, it has compelled every civilized nation in the world either to forego its aspirations or to declare war in their defense. We find ourselves fighting again for our national existence. We are face to face with the necessity of asserting anew the fundamental right of free men to make their own laws and choose their own allegiance, or else permit humanity to become the victim of a ruthless ambition that is determined to destroy what it cannot master. Against its threat the liberty-loving people of the world have risen and allied themselves. No fear has deterred them, and no bribe of material well-being has held them back. They have made sacrifices such as the world has never known before, and their resistance in the face of death and suffering has proved that the aim which animates the German effort can never hope to rule the spirit of mankind. Against the horror of military conquest, against the emptiness of living in mere bodily contentment, against the desolation of becoming part of a State that knows neither truth nor honor, the world has so revolted that even people long dominated and suppressed by force have now begun to stir and arm themselves. Centuries of subjugation have not destroyed the racial aspirations of the many distinct peoples of eastern Europe, nor have they accepted the sordid ideals of their political and military masters. They have survived the slow persecutions of peace as well as the agonies of war and now demand recognition for their just claims to autonomy and self-government. Representatives of these races are with you to-day, voicing their loyalty to our ideals and offering their services in the common cause. I ask you, fellow-citizens, to unite with them in making this our Independence Day the first that shall be consecrated to a declaration of independence for all the peoples of the world. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION [Taking over Terminal Property of German Steamship Lines.] Whereas the act of Congress making appropriations to supply urgent deficiencies in appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, and prior fiscal years, on account of war expenses and for other purposes, approved March 28, 1918 (Public No. 109, Sixty-fifth Congress), contains the following provisions: "The President is authorized to acquire the title to the docks, piers, warehouses, wharves, and terminal equipment and facilities on the Hudson River now owned by the North German Lloyd Dock Company and the Hamburg-American Line Terminal and Navigation Company, two corporations of the State of New Jersey, if he shall deem it necessary for the national security and defense: Provided, That if such property can not be procured by purchase, then the President is authorized and empowered to take over for the United States the immediate possession and title thereof. If any such property shall be taken over as aforesaid, the United States shall make just compensation therefor, to be determined by the President. Upon the taking over of said property by the President, as aforesaid, the title to all such property so taken over shall immediately vest in the United States: Provided, further, That section 355 of the Revised Statutes of the United States shall not apply to any expenditures herein or hereafter authorized in connection with the property acquired." Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the said act of Congress approved March 28, 1918, do hereby determine and declare that the acquisition of title to the foregoing docks, piers, warehouses, wharves, and terminal equipment and facilities is necessary for the national security and defense, and I do hereby take over for the United States of America the immediate possession and title thereof, including all leaseholds, easements, rights of way, riparian rights, and other rights, estates, and interests therein or appurtenant thereto. Just compensation for the property hereby taken over will be hereafter determined and paid. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. [SEAL.] Done in the District of Columbia this 28th day of June, By the President: WOODROW WILSON. ROBERT LANSING, Secretary of State. EXECUTIVE ORDER [Transferring Personnel and Records of Federal Trade Commission.] THE WHITE HOUSE, July 3, 1918. Whereas, In order to avoid duplication of effort and to promote unity and concentration of control in the administration of the provisions of section 25 of the act of Congress approved August 10, 1917, entitled "An act to provide further for the national security and defense by encouraging the production, conserving the supply, and controlling the distribution of food products and fuel," certain activities now being carried on by the Federal Trade Commission relating to the coal industry can, and ought to be carried on by the United States Fuel Administration. Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chief Executive and, by virtue of the powers conferred on me by the aet of Congress, entitled, "An act authorizing the President to coordinate or consolidate executive bureaus, agencies and offices, and for other purposes, in the interest of economy and the more efficient concentration of the Government," approved May 20, 1918, do hereby order and direct: 1. That all records, files, reports, copies of contracts, correspondence, papers and proceedings on file or deposited with the Federal Trade Commission relating to coal or coke, and under and in compliance with the provisions of section 25 of said act approved August 10, 1917, or the orders, rules and regulations of the United States Fuel Administrator (excepting such as relate to costs of coal-mine operations and to general research into the coal industry) be transferred forthwith from the Federal Trade Commission to the United States Fuel Administration. 2. That that part of the personnel of the Federal Trade Commission engaged in such activities hereinabove described and now transferred is hereby detailed or assigned to the United States Fuel Administration. 3. That the books, correspondence, records, and papers in any way referring to transactions of any kind relating to the mining, production, sale, or distribution of coal or coke, and not hereby transferred, shall, at all times, be subject to inspection by the United States Fuel Administrator and by his duly authorized agents, examiners, employees, assistants, and subordinates, together constituting the governmental organization called the United States Fuel Administration. 4. That all persons, partnerships, and corporations engaged in the production or distribution of coal or coke shall promptly furnish, whenever called for, to the United States Fuel Administrator, or his duly authorized agents, examiners, employees, assistants, and subordinates, any data or information relating to the business of such persons, partnerships, or corporations engaged in the production or distribution of coal or coke. 5. That the said United States Fuel Administrator is hereby authorized to procure information in reference to the business of coal and coke producers and distributors in the manner provided for in sec |