THE WEB _The Authorized History of The American Protective League_ The Web By Emerson Hough Author of “The Mississippi Bubble,” “54-40 or Fight,” “The Magnificent Adventure,” etc. _A Revelation of Patriotism_ _The Web is published by authority of the National Directors of the American Protective League, a vast, silent, volunteer army organized with the approval and operated under the direction of the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation._ The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago Copyright, 1919 By The Reilly & Lee Co. _Made in U. S. A._ _The Web_ _To THE UNKNOWN AMERICANS unnamed, unhonored unrewarded who made this history possible_ THE CALL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES “It is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts.... To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.” THE ANSWER OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES “WHEREAS, The Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the People of the United States of America; therefore be it “_Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled_, That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.” STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES _February 1, 1919_