El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-19
An nrevOcdble Hand doth ope and shui
The portals Of our earthly desiinies:
We Halk through blndfoid,
lind The noiseless doors
Close after Us.
FUeve7."


FOrevq'
STATE OF var exists between Germany and
the United States, inAugurated by the criminal act
of Germany 1t only remains for the United States
congress- it assemble special session, to
declare the fact that already exists.
The constitution gives congress exclusively the power
declare war; but president congress, makes
EaE-that is, conducts after it has been begun
In modern times generally begins without deciaIa-
rOn rather before declaration Congress viii probably
pass joint resolution to be signed by the president rst
ing briefly the historic sequence OF recent events and declar
ing that of exists between the United States
and Germany dating from past day be named in
resolution
Before this brought about congress being at
present in SESSION. the president will undoubtedly exercise
his constitutional nights and initiate broad for
the national defence His rights in this connection very
bread without special authorization He VIII proceed with
naval and military preparation large scse and
call for volunteers for great army.
When congress assemblies either the existing call
fer next month, under special emergency CALL the
president will go before national legislature lay
the question of peace before It. President Mckinley
10 years ago his message congress these
The issue is nov with congress. It is solemn
responsibility. 1 have exhausted every effort
ieve the intOlerabls condition of affairs which
doors Prepared to every obligation in
posed upon BY the constitution and the Law,
await your action"
Thus did president Mckinley upon congress
high responsibility which congress did desire
Congress president himself mi
action but the president placed the responsibility where
belonged when action at arrived
congress and advise the national legislature of his read
ness to execute its VIII
Congress can nothing else but accept the challenge
that Germany has given
The sinking Of American ships as announced Sun
day, sailing under the American flag, carrying American
and provided with American ships papers, and
least Of them bound carrying contrsbsnd
ses) accomplished by submarines without
giving each due warning and violation merely
ternaOnsI law but Of the fundamental of
humanity
Thus the last chance Of ayerng been sacrificed
BY Germany, deliberately and wantonly
The passed beyond adjustment OF any sort save
by the ultimate arbitIament of armed force
War already exists between these two great nations IN
augurated by Germany. Most Americans east of the
Mississippi river have for time regarded already
IN progress between these countries The west has been
slower accept the fact absence OF absolutely IN
equivoeal expression by Germany of desire for war;
II the absence Of definite action by congress
Germany has given unequvOcal expression OF de-
sire for war; and she viii be taken at her word
On February r. in the of discussion of the sub
marine issue and the prospect war e Paso Herald
said:
IF Germany, having been fully warned,
sinks American ship causing the loss American
lives under circumstances that make it certain that
the act deliberate assault by an agent of the
German government the sovereign rights of the
United States act reckless Of consequences nten-
tionslly violating the elemental rights our nationals
10 their lives, and showing contempt for our
la al stan Id IN thsr H.