New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-30
President Finds
Middle West for
Decisive Action
Still Seeking Opinions as
Guide for Address to
Congress
lB. The Associated PrssI

dent is gathering opinions and sugges-
tons from all sides as to the sort oi
address to make in the coming crucial
hours.
The general situation has not been
changed by the speech Of the German
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg to-
day. according to the view tonight OF
officials who read press reports OF the
portion Of the address dealing with the
United States and submarine warfare
Germany. it was said, has constant
ly attempted to lay the blame for her
acts on other nations. On previous oc-
casions President Wilson has taken the
position that Germany is in no way
justified in carrying on submarine ruth
lessness because of the British block
ade.
Only complete abandonment Of unre-
strcted submarine warfare could
change the attitude Of the United
States, it has been said semi oiiicial'y
recently. and press reports indicate THAI
the German Chancellor did not even
discuss that possibility.
Confers with Cabinet To-day
The President will meet with his
Cabinet tomorrow for the last time
before beginning the actual writing OF
his message to Congress, and. there
fore. it is expected that the German
situation will be dealt with very fully.
He is hopeful that no time will be lost
in organizing the House, so that he
may deliver his address as soon as pos
sible after the extra session convenes;
The attitude Of both Congress ana
public opinion is sought in order 70
represent both as fully as possible.
Public opinion. il is said here, lndl-
Gated by clippings from newspapers IN
All parts Of the country, unmistakably
favors deci sive action Belligerency IS
not confined TO the Atlantic and Paciiic
sections If opinions gathered by the
Administration are true index. De
mand for action on the part OF Con
qress and the President comes also
from the interior section between the
Allephanies and the Sierras. The views
renorted by some mid-Western Con
gressmen as to the apathy or their
constituencies are considered more
local than general.
The greatest point under considera'
tion bv the Administration at the pres
ent time is whether Germany has not
Enthusiastically shown, through long
succession OF violations Of internation-
al law. that the United States must
definitely unite with the liberal demoe-
racies of the world against the four
most complete autocracies. both for its
present and future safety.
German Victory Feared
German victory now. il is said might
lead to direct attack on this country
later. and would at least necesstate
extensive armament. A deadlock. at the
same time. would be tantsmount to a
German victory. on the basis that
while. after peace. the German union
would become stronger the Entente
might very easily fall apart and Ger
many be left relatively world supreme
With the United States drawn into
the war through no desire of her own,
and convinced that the war IS war OF
+ self-protection and self-preservation,
/ the exact manner of American partici-
patton is undecided. The sending OF
an army TO Europe OF inc provision
/ OF huge credit OF from sl,000,O00,00
/ TO $4,000. 100000 are both being dis
cussed.
As for military preparation. nothing
has been determined, and decisions
must await actual entrance in the war
Some feel that 2 large army, owing 10
need of equipment and diversion OF
shipping. would be more Of hindranc'
than a help. Munition manufactures
where the United States could be of
most value, will be expedited to the
geatest possible decree.
At the same time general alliances
with the Entente nations are not con-
templated. The United States plans Ia
maintain it's freedom Of action just as
far as possible. In a naval and mill.
tary sense, there will. Of course. be full
cooperation. but beyond that the coun-
try will not assume unlimited liability
for the Allies aims. The United
States will seek. as far as possible, to
ameliorate the bitterness of the pres
ent war and prevent its ending from
generating future wars.