Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-19
PRESIDENT WILL
LAY U-BOAT ISSUE
BEFORE HOUSES
Relations with Germany Become So
Grave Wilson Will Discuss Whole
Matter in Presence OF
Legislature Today,
RUPTURE is HELD IMMINENT
Executive Prepares Message, but II
Won't Be Given Out Till
Delivered.
LANSING WON'T SEE ENVOY

WASHINGTON. April ls.--Presl-
dent Wilson will 20 before congress
tomorrow and lay the entire Ger
man submarine issue before both
houses, A break In diplomatic rela-
tlons II said 70 be imminent.
Secretary Tumuliy went 10 the
capitol after today's cabinet meeting
and took up the question with Ma
Jorlty Leader Kitchin Of tho house,
Majority Leader Kern OF the senate
and Senator Stone. chairman Of the
foreign relations committee. They
Immediately went into conference
with Speaker Clark Of the house.
Completes Message.
rho president already has COM
pleted the communication he will de-
liYer to congress. Up TO the present
II had been thought he would send
this communication TO Berlin. II
WAS decided, however, that the situa-
ton has become so grave as TO re-
qulre more serious drastic steps.
Arrangements were made at the
capitol for passing a resolution I'm.
mediaiely providing for a joint ses-
sion Of both houses tomorrow 10 re-
cciye the presidents message. The
contents Of the message will be kept
confidential and copies OF II will not
be given out until after its delivery
TO congress.
i'nss Resolution.
Both houees pahaed promptly a fssoIu-
tion providing for a Joint session In the
house chamber tomorrow afternoon Al
o'clock There was no announcement Il
10 the purpose OF the presfdent'a eonilnn,
No official of the administration could
say definitely what course had been de.
elded upon. Some course OF commnnica-
tlon will no forward 10 Berlin, probably
tomorrow, but apparently none hut the
president and tho members of his cabinet
know what II VIII be.
u has been stated and reiterated that
nefore taking any step tending to lend
10 rupture in diplomatic relations or
war the president would lay the situation
before congress.
Drastic Action Impends.
On this acctlon. when unofficial word
of the nature Of the mcasage to be de-
ilvsred tomorrow began 10 circulate, u
was taken for granted on both sides OF
he tai Itat
pending.
Tho presidents decision was reached
after long consideration OF a mass OF
evidence that Germany had been violat.
ing solemn pledges regarding the con
duet Of submarine warfare. A long list
Of disasters 10 peaceful vessels many OF
them under neutral flags and many car
rying American citizens, was gone over
carefully by tho president and his ad-
ylsefs and was understood 10 have been
included IN the communication drafted
for dispatch 20 Germany.
This document had no tboen sent late
today and there were indications that Il
would not go until the president had ad-
dretasd congress
BeEnstorff Presents Memorandum.
Count Won Bernstorff. tho German am
baksador, presented TO Secretary Lansing
iooay a memorandum said 20 he similar
10 the one delivered on the sinking Of
the liner Arabic, relteratlne assurances
that Germany would conduct submarine
warfare according 10 international law
and was ready 10 give satisfaction for
any unauthorized or unintentional viola
tlnn Of neutral rights
Mr fanslnF said later that the amhas
sadars visit would have no effect upon
The eoufAc already determined mpan hy
tha American government ils IA under
stood 10 have informed tho Amhahmadnf
that ha could not discuss the subject aith
im AZ thia time
nrusldent Wilson viii discuss the suh,
marine crisis tomorrow Al 70 o'clock
with senators Stone and l.odEe ana nep-
Fesentaslves Floed ana VnapeF, tha rank,
ms nalunty ana mlnarity members a
ihs congressional Fefelga affairs eanis
mlttse