The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-19
EXPECT PRESIDENT TO" "CALL THE HAND"
 OF THE EMPEROR
Chief Executive to Explain Situation to Congress in Minute Detail-Washing- ton Excited Over Situa- tion's Possibilities
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

"the final WOrd' to Germany regarding the long drawn out U-boat controversy, President Wilson will appear before a joint session of Congress to- morrow at 1 o'clock. If there was ever doubt that time ap- breaches when Germany must either knuckle to- the United States or suffer the severance of diplomatic relations, that doubt, by the Presidents re- quest that he be received by Congress, was dispelled.
 For it is regarded as certain that the President would not in this instance take Congress into his confidence unless there was a grave probability that his proposed course will lead to a breaking off of friendly rela- tions and possibly still more serious consequences.
 4 before Congress tomorrow the Presi- dent will relate in it's minutest detail the story of the submarine issue. He will recite the history from which the present situation has been evolved; of how Germany has responded to every demand that civilized usages be ad- hered to and after so promising has flagrantly proceeded along the course of it's own volition. It is anticipated that immediately thereafter the Presi- dent will declare that he has deter mined to "call the hand'' of the Kaiser with a demand that immediate reparation be made for the destruction of innumerable merchant vessels and the killing and maiming of American passengers.
 Washington is greatly excited to- night, for it Sis the general opinion that President Wilson is determined to make such demands that the Kaiser cannot in dignity comply; that such a failure will lead to the severance of ;o a tainty, that the severance of rela- tions will lead to more than mere -.unfriendly attitude" is regarded as highly probable.
 Leaders in Congress have carefully refrained from open expression, save only conveying the intelligence that the representatives of the people will stand firmly behind the chief executive irrespective of what untoward circum- stance might be the outcome. There is universal approval of the Presidents course of consulting the only body which can declare war before taking action out of which war might be the logical sequence.
 Washington. April 1S.--President
  before Congress tomorrow
 In the hall of the House of Repre- sentatives at 1 o'clock in the after noon, with Congress seated before him in joint session, the President will speak the last words of the United States to Germany in the grave situa- tion which has kept the two nations near a break for nearly year. DEVELOPMENTS ARE
 EXPECTED TO FOLLOW
 Developments yet undisclosed and of n the most solemn importance are eX- pected to follow quickly.
 An ultimatum to Germany and even the severance of diplomatic relations are the two most likely eventualities.
 At 10 o'clock tomorrow morning the President will receive at the White House Chairmen Stone and Flood of the Congress committees dealing with foreign affairs and Senator Lodge and Representative Cooper. the ranking re- publican members.
 The often repeated statement from the White House and administration officials that before breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany the
 
 President would fully advise the heads of the foreign affairs committees, was recalled tonight in connection with the announcement of the meeting and it was everywhere regarded as the fore runner of development of the utmost gravity.
 OFFICIAL WASHINGTON
 FEARING THE WORSE
 Tonight all official Washington. bearing the worst and hoping for the best, is practically in ignorance of the details of the Presidents plan.
 Soon after noon today and just after the cabinet had departed the President
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