Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-21
President Summons Con.
gress to Act In Meeting
Crisis With Germany.
WILL DECLARE WAR
y. q STATE NOW EXISTS
Action Equivalent to Declaration Of
Hostiiitiss 70 Bs Tsksn-osrmany
i Now Considered as Making War Up.
4 on United States and Congress Will
SO Dselars-Sieuatien Held to Be
Not One Of This NatIen's Choosing.

Washington. March 21.-President
Wilson. recognizing that Germany
practically is making war on the Unit
ed States on the seas. today called con-
2gress to assemble in extraordinary
session on April 2, TO deal with the sit
uation.
The purpose Of the session, now
called two weeks earlier than the date
first set, as announced in the presi-
dents proclamation, is to receive a
communication from the chief execu
q tive, on grave matters of national policy
which should be taken Immediately UNI
der consideration.
Congress Will Act.
The president in his address to con-
s~ress will detail how Germany practi-
!, ally has been mailing war on the
United States by the ruthless destruc-
ton Of American lives and ships on the
high seas In contravention of all laws
OF nations And humanity.
Congress u expected to pass reso-
luton declaring a state Of war has ex-
listed between tho United States and
Germany for some time.
Such resolution in itself will not be
declaration OF war technically, but it
practically will amount to the same
thing.
VIII Cite so~srt Acts.
President Wilson'S decision to call
gcongreAS Sdrlier than the date first
/ fixed for the extra session--April le--
WAS announced early today. Tie pres
ident's mind finally was made up as 4
result OF yesterdays cabinet meeting,
a ~ nj INN
sion was made that congress-which
alone has the war making power
should be summoned.
The president deliberated on the
question until late last night and early
today made his decision. He chose
April 2, because he thought It impossi-
BILE for all members of congress to
reach Washington earlier.
In his message the president will cite
the overt acts committed by Germany
against the United States.
Congress Of Ono Mind.
Overwhelming sentiment in congress
favors declaration that as a result Of
Germany's acts against the United
States state Of war already exists.
The foremost overt act which
brought the president to his decision
was the torpedoing without warning Of
the American merchantmen vigilancia,
with the loss Of fifteen lives, some Of
them Americans.
Tho president has not made up his
program entirely for presentation to
congress, but probably will also, discuss
universal military training.
The navy department is expected to
I call for privately-owned yachts for
service against submarines. Tentative
contracts for such craft have already
( been negotiated in some cases.
Accepts Cabinets View.
The president was said yesterday to
be OF an open mind as to summoning
congress prior to April 16. At the
cabinet meeting, however, several
members went to the White House de-
. termined to urge an immediate extra
session, which they believe was de-
manded by the country.
Those cabinet members who have
baen classed as pacifists or with paci-
fist leanings 1t was said, offered no
objections Of weight, and the presi-
dent. without giving any indication Of
his decision, merely heard what every
member Of his official family had to
say.
S Now Practically at War.
Officials and diplomats have openly
acknowledged that state OF war be-
tween the United States and Germany
has existed Tor some time but that the
eituatlon came to a crisis last Sunday
when three American ships were sunk
by German submarines.
The close advisers Of the president at
once made up their minds that Ger
many was carrying on war against the
United States. The principal argu
ments brought to bear against the
United States taking further steps to-
ward war was that practically all that
could be done to protect American lives
y and ships at sea had been done by the
srming Of the merchant vessels and
that an Acknowledged state Of war
would give Germany an opportunity to
carry her submarine warfare to this
side OF the Atlantic. This latter was
somewhat of a secondary considera-
ton because the navy feels that it is
prepared to meet that feature of the
situation. It also was arranged that
having kept the country out OF war so
Tar, the president would be reluctant
!. To enter 1t now, when there ore indica :
tions OF Developments in Europe which
OF themselves promise to hasten the
end OF tfe conflict.
sssfgls Not Of Our Choosing.
Presidsnt Wilson. when he asked
sc0ORrd6S for aut nOrity 10 al iii II iiieTiS