Evening star., 1917-04-02
A Momentous Session Opens.

A Momentous Session Opens.
Congress meets today in extra session
in circumstances of the gravest moment
to the country. 1t has been summoned
statement of the relations with Germany
and to act in accordance with national
necessities. That this action will take
the form of at least a declaration that
a state of war exists, by virtue of GER
tain aggressions committed by Germany
upon American rights, is fully expected.
Tremendous pressure is being exerted
by those who are chronically opposed to
war to persuade Congress to abstain
from such enactment as would precipi-
tate conflict between the two countries.
Pressure is also being exerted by citi-
zens of another line of thought urging
the more patriotic course. Washington
is thus the scene today of conflict of
sentiment such as it has never witnessed
before in its history.
who are responsible for the decision of
this momentous question should remain
calm and balanced. Turmoil will not
make for proper judgment. The Presi-
dent has set an inspiring example to the
people of this country by his poise and
restraint, and now that he is about to
speak in definition of the national duty
and need he should have and will have
the support of the great majority of
Americans.
1t is the right of those who wish for
peace regardless of conditions to voice
their sentiments. 1t is equally the right
of those who want the United States to
manifest its opposition to the course of
Germany to express themselves. But if
both sides were still, if Washington were
cleared of all but those who are specif-
eaHy engaged in this grim business of
defining the national policy the result
would be the same. This matter is not
going to be settled in answer to clamor
for or against war. It will be settled by
the facts themselves.
Standing as it does on the verge Of
war, the United States, though techni-
caHy unready in equipment, is ready in
spirit. Those who are so vocal today
in opposition to a declaration making
for war will tomorrow with few e1cep-
tions be found aligned with the patriot
body of citizens ready for duty. Little
apprehension is to be felt on the score
of reactions in that quarter. More dan
ger is possible in the stealthy or the
open assaults of those who are partisans
of Germany and who, whether or not
American citizens, may fanaticaEy seek
to injure this country. Happily precau-
tions have been taken as far as may be
against this peril. Of the great body Of
German-American citizens there is now
no question. They stand aligned as true
patriots, loyal in Thought and deed.
Germany has forced this issue upon
the United States. The record of this
government is clear and clean. With a
patience unsurpassed in the history of
nations it has withheld from accept
ing Germany's challenge to war.
1t has offered to Germany the
amplest opportunity to avoid the break
Germany has declined to accept it, and
by pursuing its policy of unrestricted
submarine warfare it has forced the
situation to this point at which the
United States must acknowledge to the
world that Germany has made war upon
us and must take the necessary steps for
protection, or accept these aggressions
and stand before the world as unwilling
to protect American lives and to defend
the national honor.
In few hours Congress will be in
full possession of the facts and tho is
sues and confronted with the task Of
rendering its decision, as the war-making
power prescribed by the Constitution.