December 7, 1917 — US House of Representatives, Washington DC

Mr. Chairman, I still believe that war is a stupid and futile way of attempting to settle international difficulties. I believe that war can be avoided and will be avoided when the people, the men and women in America, as well as in Germany, have the controlling voice in their Government.

To-day special privileged commercial interests are controlling the world. When we declared war on Germany we virtually declared war on Germany’s allies. The vote we are now to cast is not a vote on a declaration of war. If it were, I should vote against it. This is a vote on a mere technicality in the prosecution of a war already declared. I shall vote for this, as I voted for money and for men.

Source: Congressional Record, 56, 1917, pp. 98-99.