The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-02
BIC ISSUE NOW
IS WHAT WILL
CONGRESS Do
Preparedness Measures Big Ones
Before Special Session Open
ing Today
FIVE INDEPENDENTS
HOLD BALANCE OF POWER
BY J. P. YOCER. "F
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent

(OnIled PreSS Stan Correspondents.
Washington, April 2.-Congress
met in extra session here today to re
ceive a message from President viii
son. in which he is expected to de
clare that a state Of war exists be
tween the United States and Germany
and to demand that he be delegated
complete powers, as communicating
CHIEF Of the land and sea forces OF
the country, to cope with the situa
ton. ,,
This action marks the climax of al
most three years effort on the part
Of the chief executive to peacefully
force the protection of lives and prop,
erty of American citizens from the
effects OF ruthless German submarine
warfare. ...t.., ..s. .4,,
The president is expected to inform
congress that state OF war between
the United States and Germany has
existed ever since the sinking Of the
American steamer, Algonquin, March
-. ..-a
Great Strides.
Commercial industrial and man
power mobilization Of our forces have
made great strides since the president
suddenly issued his call to the ma
tons legislative body ten days ago,
and SO definite has been the convic-
ton that aggressive war is to be wag-
ed upon Germany they stand ready at
this moment, awaiting only official
word from congress to 90 ahead.
Munition and shipbuilding plants
are prepared to serve the equipment
for the sea and land forces and the
present session Of congress is en-
pected to pass a universal service
measure.
Today's historic situation resulted
directly from Germanys reputation
of her submarine pledges Of a year
ago and the resumption OF ruthless
submarine warfare in an attempt to
starve England into submission.
Tho first American ship to go down
at the hands of German submarine
commander following the German dc.
cree establishing submarine block
AIDE zone around England, February
was the Housatonic. This ship was
sunk without warning on February
70, the Algonquin on March IL, and
the Vigilancia, City Of Memphis and
the Illinois on March IS.
Without Warning. .fe
All these were American ships and
all OF them. with the exception OF the
City of memphis, were sunk without
warning. The captain, four Amerl-
can and four of other nationalities
are missing from the City of Mem.
phis, and Is, including several Amer
leans are missing from the Vigilan-
cha. "~ .. -,
The big question that stares the
country in the face today is: What
will congress do? Probably never be-
fore in the history of the United
States has there been so nearly a co.
alition congress-. Democrats and Re.
publicans will have 214 votes each IN
the house. The balance of power will
be In the hands of five independents.
Schall, London, Socialist, and Ran
dali, Prohibitionist, with the Demo
Gratis. Representative Martin OF Lou
isiana, elected from a Democratic dis
trict on high tariff progressive tick
ct, really holds the whip hand in the
house organization. His vote may be
the deciding one. And nobody knows
how he will cast it.
Repres jeanette Rankin OF
Montana, the first woman in con.
gress, is present and will vote On the
war questions.
The session beginning today was
expected to be the most momentous
since the Civil war, by reason Of the
critical situation which caused its be-
ing and the vital incidents, many un-
which marked the inter
i'm between the close of the Sixty
fourth congress, March 4, and the
opening of the new congress today.