The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-20
WILSON GREETED BY
ASOLEMN THRONG
Little Cheering and Applause
for President in Crowded
Hall Of the House.
MANY WOMEN PRESENT

WASHINGTON. April 1s.-Thc appear
ance Of the President before Congress to
explain his submarine policy and the
action TO which It has led him In the
negotiations with the German Govern
ment marked a departure from the usual
formal state functions OF this character.
The setting WIS the same. the pro-
cedure followed in tho assembling OF
the two branches in the hall Of the
House did not differ from that followed
on similar occasions. hut In the air of
solemnity with which tho legislators
gathered, the expectancy with which
they awaited the message and the gnive
silence with which II was received. the
Joint session was unlike any hat has
been held during the present Admins
tration.
Long before the hour set for the Fresi-
dents arrival at the Capitol there was
the usual scramble for places In the
galleries. Tho crowds inside tho build
ing were not large. Corridors were
haired 10 the merely curiou' and guards
were posted NJ all entrances with in
%structions tn permit only those who had
been fortunate enough to secure one OF
the coveted tickets issued to pass.
\ largo crowd. however, gathered at
the entrance OF the House wing OF the
Capitol. which hailed the arrival OF the
President with cheers. 1assing through
"A double line OF guards. he was escorted
to the Office of Speaker Clark. where lie
awaited the committee to escort him to
tho chamber.
Galleries Arc FILLED.
BY this time tho galleries were tlled
for the most part with women. wives
and members OF tho families OF Senator's
and Representatives. Mrs. Wilson, wife
of the President, and her mother wcre
in III, front row OF the executive gallery.
With them were J. X. Boiling, Il. W.
boiling. Julian Boiling. Mr. Hoover and
Mrs. Derby.
In the diplomatic gallery adjoining
sat the swiss Minister. Counscllors of
the British and Italian Embassies and
a number OF diplomatic officers Of the
Latin American republics with mem
bers VI their families. Councillor Polk
of III" state Department occupied a
sea, IN tho same gallery. In the House
members, galleries on the opposite eide
of tho cha mber was Mre. Champ Clark.
wife OF the Speaker, with friends.
Following the usual custom. members
of the Senate, headed by the sergeant
alarms and Vice-Presiient. marched
Town the long corridor through the
rotunda Of the Capitol two by two and
entered the House chamber, taking their
places IN the first three rows of seats
set aside for them.
ON the cNtrcme left of the Speaker
sat secretary Lansing and other mem
bers of the cabinet and the Presidents
secretary. Joseph Tunulty.
When the Speaker and Vice-Tresidcn
announced the committee appointed to
escort the President into the chamber
the mufflcd noise ceased abruptly.
Members Are Nervous.
There WAS an obvious air of nervous
anticipation on the part OF the leglsla-
tors, who. except for the announcements
made after the White House conference
that "A note in the nature Of an
ultimatum had been sent to ,;ermany,
were entirely unaware Of the nature OF
what the President had to disclose 10
them
The sense of tho spectacular was en-
tirely overshadowed by the air Of so
lcmnity with which the message. known
10 he momentous in character, was
awaited.
When tho President entered the cham
Der almost on tho stroke OF ! o'clock
those on the floor arose. There was an
oIthurSt of handcla piping and u scatter
ing of cheers and rebel Nclls" from IN"
democratic side Of the House, but the
applause lacked the quality of spouti-
neity and seemed somewhat on, al place
III the shadow Of the unusual step tina,
Was about to he taken.
Tho President was greeted By rows Of
serious. almost grave, faces. He HIM
self smilDt only family az he shook
hands with the Nice-president and the
Speaker OF the lou and took his place
7 al. H. - - At ---- tL.
II Is probable ,hat no speaker that ever
addressed the House Mas accorded closer
or more silent attention.
The President In no way aimed at ora
iorical effect. He gave no opportunity
for applause by pausing in the cour-,
OF the reading Of his message. and nom
was given. II was presented slmp,v
AN exposition Of his policy, and the
course he had pursued. and no moro.
In tho intense silence which prcvsucd
in the chamber, although he spoke
scarcely abov" a conversational pitch,
every word could be understood clearly.
When he began he appeared Ia be
slightly nervous and hesi,atcd once or
twice as he read. But az he proceeded
tho nervousness disappeared.
When he approached the close OF his
message. the point at which he an
nounced what he expected Of the ter
man Government, or the alternatiye-th.
breaking or diplomatic relations-u ~,,
"riden that the members of Congress,
whom he was addressing had in mind
only the disclosure of his purpose. All
other consideration were given no
thought.
NJ the conclusion OF the message there
was Il momcntary pause, From The
Democratic side a scattering apnIaus.
grew into small volume a. the Presider,
stepped from the rostrum and left The
chamber. But there were no cheers
none of the demonstration thai usu,Ilv
follows a political pronouncemen;