Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-03
yOTAL WAR STRENGTH
OF 1,20o,o 900 WOULD
BE RESULT OF PLAN
60O,O00 Maximum Number
of Men That Can be
Trained at Once.
CONGRESS TAKES
STEPS FOR WAR
"a
Set in Motion Machinery for
Preparing Navy, Army
and All Resources.

Qennate plans OF the war Depart
ment are waiting to go forward
to congress when it is ready to
receive them.
President Wilson gave a clear
view of the immediate steps to
be urged in his address. Until
the departments plan has been
submitted, however, details are
regarded as confidential.
The first element of the plan,
the president has already dis
closed. It is assembling of 500,-
900 men under a universal serv-
ice system as an addition to the
regular army and national guard
which would provide a total war
strength force of 100000. 1t
is assumed that coincident with
the calling out of the new army
orders to recruit the regulars and
guardsmen to full strength will
SO out. N..:sether that will! b.
done by voluntary enlistment or
by draft has not been disclosed.
Army officers say 100000 is
the maximum number they can
train at once. Three million
trained men is the number urged
~ the general staff. The need
Of using the present regulars for
training purposes, say members
of the general staff, means that
the sending of an expeditionary
force to Europe would be "mili-
tary suicide"
washington, April s.-Congress met
today to act on President Wilson'S re-
exists between the United States and
Germany.
Prospects were that resolutions to
that eneot would reach the floors of
both houses and senate for debate in
4, tho afternoon.
II u taken for granted that this
declaration will be adopted by con-
sress in two or three days at the most.
- What He Asked.
Specifically. tho president asked
congress to declare the recent course
Of the German government to have
been ono Of war against the United
States government and people Of the
United States and that this nation ac-
cept the status Of belligersnt which
had been forced upon It.
Congress, acting for the American
people, today took steps looking to
enAs ling the nation. as the president
oppressed 1t, to exert all its power
Ssad employ its resources to bring the
government Of the German empire
to terms to end the war"
"' Cabinet IN War Council.
While congress went ahead with ita
work. the cabinet met in virtual war
council.
It = aeospted a. q foregone conolu.
sion that when the resolution does
come to . vote Il will pass both housel
BY overwhelming majo<ities.
Small groups Of pacfists are expect.
cd to make a fight at the last min.
The president In his address did no,
mako Il very clear how he expected
IN army Of 100000 men. which he
proposed, 10 to be raised, except tc
~ Il should be upon the principle
Of universal liability to service" Twt
universal military bills were introduc.
Cd today. ono drafted by the arm,
tor Chamberlain. Whether either mas
b used a. the fral.le work for q
measure to raise big army 10 un.
Known.
Increase in Guaxd ana Army.
II 10 assumed that the president
with authorize an iuorease Of both the
national Guard and the regular army
70 war strength. That In itself would
slvo an army Of more than 100000
men, In addition to the proposed new
force Of 100000. Tho navy already
10 recruiting TO war strength undsl
On order Of the president Issued las
week and sixty thousand Nat1ona,
9ussdssnen are doing police duty II
fhNaS NA0pActdvo states.