The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-10-19


tered pro-German sentiments.
An unprecedented feature of tn
! session was the reception of the spt
cial missions sent to the United State
by the allied governments, and tn
special representatives of Great Brit
ain, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia an
Japan addressed both houses. Invi
tations of the British and French gov
ernments to have the United State
send congressional mission acros
the Atlantic to see war conditions ant
cooperate with the interparliamentar!
congress We're rejected.
Important Measures Passed.
Following is a list of the most i'm
portant measures passed by congress
Resolution declaring a state of war
exists between the imperial German
government and the government and
the people of the United States and
making provision to prosecute the
same.
On April 2 the resolution for war
against Germany was introduced in
the house and on April 6, or four days
after the assembling of congress, the
! president attached his signature to the
measure. No delay was involved in
the passage of this resolution, perhaps
the most important ever offered either
in this or any other congress.
General deficiency appropriation act.
appropriating $163, ,40O.52. of which
$100,000,000 was for the national Sc
curity and defense and for each and
every purpose connected with the
war.
Act authorizing an issue of bonds to
meet expenditures for the national Sc
curity and defense and for the pur-
post of assisting in the prosecution of
the war and to extend credit to for
eign governments and for other pur-
poses. This act appropriated $3,007,-
063,9 45.46 for establishing credits in
the United States for foreign govern
ments by purchase of bonds of our al
lies and expenses incident to prepara-
ton and issue of bonds and certifi-
Gates; authorizes the issue of bonds |
amounting to $5,063, 945, 400, of which |
So, 900, 100000 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments, |
$1,000, 100000 to meet domestic ex-
pendtures, and 6394j,46O to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au-
thorizes $2,000000,000 of one year GER
tificates of an Indebtedness tempo
rarily to provide revenue.
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shipman for each senator. representa-
tive and delegate in congress.
Act apprOpriating $273, 046,332.50
for the support of the army for the
fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the president to in
crease temporarily the military estab-
ishment of the United States. This
act authorized a selective draft of
,00,000,000 men and contains other i'm
Dortant legislative features pertain
ng to the army.
Resolution authorizing the president
o take over for the United States any
-essel owned in whole or in part by
my corporation, citizen or subject of
my nation with which the United ,
states may be at war.
Act to increase temporarily The COM r
lissioned and warrant and enlisted
trength of the navy and Marine corps :
rom 81 1000 TO 10000 men, in the
rst instance, and from 17,400 to 3d. e
90, in the second.
Act appropriating S1,344, S96.1S for
ne support of the military academy :
,r the fiscal year 1918 and for other y
urposes. o
Largest Single Grant in History.
Act to amend an act entitled Gan
ct to Regulate Commerce" as amend Il
|. in respect of car service, and for q
her purposes. d
Act amending the war risk insur-
ice act and appropriating S45, 10000
insure vessels and their cargoes and D
,penses connected Herewith.
Act appropriating $147, 1863, 928.77 for c
e sundry civil expenses of the gov
nment for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
Id territories and the District of Co
mbia of rifles and other property for n
e equipment of organization of home a
lards. G.
Act appropriating s3,2S1, 094, go o
r the military and naval establish B
ents on account of the war expenses. G
B to time this was the largest ap- W
opriation act known to this or any Il
her country. Among other things it tt
S405, 100000 for an emer- a.
ncy shipping fund with which to be- tN
d construction of the greatest mer- d.
ant fleet the world has ever known.
Act to punish acts of interference ia
tn foreign relations, the neutrality
d the foreign commerce of the Unit O
4 States, to punish espionage and
tier enforce the criminal laws of
, United States.
Conservation Bills Passed.
Act authorizing condemnation pro- p
,dings of lands for military pur- W
ses. OF
Let appropriating S640,000000 to in tn
ase temporarily the signal corps Of Pl
army and to purchase, manufac- a
e, maintain, repair and operate air. sa
ps. by
Act authorizing the United States to pl
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