New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-01
CONGRESS MAY
Be CALLED In
EXTRA SESSION
Legislators Believe II
Would Follow Any
Break with Germany.


Washington, May 31.-An extra ses-
sion o. Congress, to provide the means
necessary to prepare the country for
any eventualities, will be a necessity
if diplomatic relations are broken off
with Germany, is the opinion Of score
OF Senator'S and Representatives who
were informally discussing the situa-
tion to-day. The view taken by these
men is that the United States is not
now prepared for war, and 1t would be
the best possible course, in view OF the
terms in w..;ch the German note was
couched, to get as nuct start as pos
sible in its preparations for anything
that might happen.
"As certain as the night follows the
day." said one Democratic Representa-
tive, "the breaking off of diplomatic
relations will result in war within a
few months following the severance
This was the general opinion among
the national lawmakers, the theory
being that il the German government
refused to comply with the demands
in President Wilson's note, particular
ly regarding the submarine blockade
this governments first step would be
to recall Ambassador Gerard and give
Count Won Bernstorff his passports.
1t is not thought this will occur i'm
mediately. but possibly after the e1'
change of one or two more notes be
tween President Wilson and the Ger
man government. Then, :. is said, with
the final refusal Of Germany to comply
with the humanitarian demands of the
United States. the only possible ster
short of war would be the severance OF
diplomatic relations.
Would Stir German Hatred.
The effect Of this on Germany prob
ably would be, legislators think, "a
arouse the most intense hatred for the
United States, each new country nav
ing entered into hostilities being more
bitterly hated than the countries al
r,tdy in. This hatred, it is thought,
would result in outrages whlcn "ouiu
force this country TO take the only
remaining step-an actual declaration
OF war.
German submarine commanders, 1t Is
pointed out, would not worry very
much. once diplomatic relations were
severed. about torpedoing ship hylng
the American flag or belligerent mer-
chantman carrying American pasSen-
gers. One or two such occurrences,
following the severing of diplomatic
relations. probably would so arouse the
temper of the people that the clamor
would rival that which followed the
blowing up of the Maine, and which
forced President Mckinley into war.
Taking this view oil the case, believ.
ing that President Wilson will stand
firmly by what he said in his note Of
MAY l3, and believing just as firmly
that Germany does not intend to com
ply with his demands. members of Con
gress .old that this country should b,
put in a state OF preparedness tol
war with all possible speed.
A minority Of the legislators are hope
full that Germany will realize the just
ness of the demands of this govern
The lives and rights Of American citi
ment and gain some mixing OF the TEN
per of the American people, but th
majority do not believe this will b.
the case.
Only the President has the power l.
call Congress into extraordinary ses
sion, and he must give thirty days no
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