Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-22
EXPECT TEUTONS TO
TAKE AGGRESSIVE
Officials Believe Germany viii
Extend Operations Against
United States at Once.
ALLIES DIPLOMATS GLAD

washington, March Zl.-With the
know~dge that the United States i:
practically certain to declare state
of war existing, many officials be-
lieve that Germany may begin war
like operations against the United
States in fuller sense.
Although The Hague convention
of 1907, to which both the United
States and Germany are signatories,
declared that hostilities shall not be-
gin without formal notice to belliger-
ents as we'll as peutrals, it is recos-
nized that The Hague treaties have
been so openly disregarded during
the war in Europe that no compli-
ance with them may be expected with
any confidence. Before The Hague
convention there was ample prece-
dent for beginning of hostilities with
out formal war declarations.
The presidents of history show
that the great majority Of worlds
conflicts have been begun before for
NAL declaration of war was made.
According to authorities on inter-
national law a condition of war arises
in three ways. tr
First-A declaration of war.
Second-A proclamation or mani
festo declaring that state Of war
exists.
Third-Through the commission of
hostile acts of force.
One authority on international law
describing ways in which hostilities
may begin without formal declaration
says "acts Of force by way Of repri-
sails, or during pacific blockade, or
during an intervention, might be
forcibly resisted : hostilities
breaking out in this way"
When the word that the president
had summoned congress went through
the allied embassies this morning it
was received with reclamation. There
is not diplomat in the corps who
does not believe that it means the en-
try OF the United States into the great
war, bringing its wealth, its armed
forces, its great resources and its
moral power to the side of the entente
allies in what they feel is their battle
for the preservation Of civilization
and democracy.
President Wilson's action today
was quickly followed by predictions
at the capitol that congress speedily
would declare a state of wal existing.
Chairman Flood Of the house for
eign affairs committee said he ex-
pected congress would quickly pass
resolution declaring that a state OF
war exists and endorsing the prssi-
dents course.
Congress Will Act Promptly.
Congress will declare that a state
Of war exists, will endorse the presi-
dents stand and will make whatever
are necessary to en-
able the president to carry forward
the war plans as quickly as possible"
said Mr.. Flood.
There probably viii be an appro-
priatioii of very much more than the
Sl00,000,000 proposed in the armed
bill which passed the house
and failed in the senate. There will
not be any material opposition to i'm.
mediate legislation along these lines"
Senator Poindexter, republican, of |
said today that Congress
will pass quickly a law authorizing a
limited war on German submarines.
Il expect congress-" he said, ito
AXE vigorous action immediately"
May Open Ports to Allies.
1t became known that yesterdays
.abinet meeting, discussing what ac-
i've steps the United States should
AXE after a declaration OF war, con.
idered the opening Of American ports
o warships Of the entente allies, the
opening Of the vast credits to the
lilies for. their supplies and cooper
tive action with the allied fleets in
Tearing the submarines out Of the
hipping lane and guarding the trans
ort to Europe.
A resolution to open all American
orts to the allied warships was in
reduced in the last session by Sena-
or salisbury, president pro tempore
4 the senate and member of the
oreign relations committee. 1t was
ent to that committee and not dis
used at the time. Senator Sauls-
ury, however. is known to have dis