The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-03-29


Observation-Disclosures Wilson met
the constantly increasing probability |
Of war with Germany by summoning
Congress to assemble in extra session
Monday April 2, two weeks earlier
than the date he had chosen before
the latest assaults upon American
rights OH the seas.
When the President addresses Con.
gress, he is expected to show how
state Of war actually has existed for
some time because of the unlawful
| aggressions OF German submarines.
Congress is expected formally to de-
clare state of war existing, vote
larg sum. probably half billion dol.
lars, for National defense, and clothe
! the President with authority to use
the armed forces of the United States,
as 1t empowered President Mckinley
to deal with the menace OF Spain in
1898.
Such action would not be declara
ton Of war except in technical sense
and whether the United States and
Germany actually go to war in the
fullest acceptation Of the term will de-
pend on what the Imperial Govern.
ment does before Congress is assem-
bled or after it acts.
Germany Expects State Of War.
Dispatches from abroad declaring
that the German Government expect
ed state Of war within the next 48
hours placed an ominous aspect on
the situation.
Much to change the President 8
present intentions or the course of the
/ Government in the crisis may develop
3 before April 2. The first American
y armed ships will by that time have
y reached the war zone. The ruthless
destruction OF one of them undoubt
Il edly would be an act Of war
8 On the other hand, sinking OF sub
= marine by one Of the armed merchant
$ men probably would be met as an act
of war by Germany. Even the arminf
r OF American ships with the avowet
y purpose Of defending them against U
IS boats may be declared such an act
IS In any Of these events. PRACTICAL,
G nothing would remain except for Con
h gres to acknowledge a state OF war ex
- listing from certain specified date
t. probably last Sunday, when thre,
x American ships were sunk with los
ID Of life
The next few days. until Congress
ct meets. will be days Of tense anxiety
v of eager waiting and watching
r, fraught with possibilities OF tremel
s. dous consequences to the Unite'
IN States.
'e President Wilson and his adviser
in the Cabinet and in Congress hav
r no intention that war shall be dc
ID clared by the United States. BY IT,
VI hostile acts OF German submarine
III they believe the Imperial German
Government Is actually making wa
Mt on the United States, and that 1t shal
is be recognized as such state II
-. meet such condition, the arme
forces Of the country and all the M
T" tional resources are to be put in
rs state OF readiness. Then whether tn
Nation shall enter the war in its ful
s' sense will depend upon how muc
n further Germany carried her acts D
q. aggression.
ic In laying the whole situation be
Or fore Congress. the President is e.
or pected to detail fully the warlike act
p OF Germany aaginst the United States
H. and to pay particular attention to tn
future OF the American Governmcn
n as the great conflict draws to close
le 1t is not improbable that he will
II ask Congress to declare state O
war existing. although there is SOM
q indication that he may only outin,
l. the situation fully and leave to Con
Il gress the action.
Meanwhile every preparation 70
y putting the nations defenses in con
o dition to meet state Of war are 60
t ing forward. The principal activitie:
center In the navy, where far.reach
8 ing preparations are being carried or
8 to deal with the submprine menace
i whether 1t Is to be met in the wal
| rnno aho,f tho priticb roaata or nj