The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-08
Senate Passes Resolution,
"a to 0, and House,
361 to /.
"NO' BY MEYER LONDON
New York Socialist Re-
buked-La Toilette Alb
sent at Roll Call.
BUSY ON AMENDMENT
Lodge Criticises Failure to
Include Turkey and
Bulgaria.
BUSY ON AMENDMENT
special DsspefcA to TUE suS.

WASHINGTON. Dec. THE United |
States OF America and the Austro-liun-
sarlaa Empire are at war. Al s :0S this |
afternoon President Wilson. in the pres
ence OF Secretary Tumulty. affixed his
Signature to the joint Congressional res |
clu,lon which had been passed by the
House and Senate in the course Of . !
single afternoon. and Theoretically hos
tilities 5cgan.
~ the Senate the war resolution was
rassed by vote OF ~ to 0. OF the six
Senator's who voted against war against
Germany. Gronua. Norris. Stone and
vardaman to-day voted AYE" Lane
IS dcad and La Toilette was absent.
In the House the resolution passed by
Ssi to 4, the negative being Meyer Lon
doa's
The declaration ssts forth that a state
0t var exists between the two nations
II !s not retroactive. but declares only
the established fact. Hence the actual
beginning OF war is the moment at
which the Congressional enactment be-
lame effective.
Immediately the President put aside
h.3 pen TIE war machinery Of the Gov
ernment. heretofore functioning alone
against Germany. began to operate
a.sainst the dual monarchy OF which
Emperor Charles Is the head. PTesi.
don. Wilson q. once summoned TO the
White House A. M.tch!l Palmer. alien
enemy property custodian. for consult
alton with regard to the property. real.
nersonal and mixed. In which title re-
aoses In subjects of the Austro-Hun.
-ar!an Cover eInnIent.
PlauA to Assist Italy.
Throughout the world to allies of the
United States and neutral Governments
the word was flashed that Americas
nnamoious position with regard 10 the
dual monarchy had terminated by the
war declaration. With var declared
plans for the assistance Of italy in her
i,resent plight are now under tonsider-
alton. These plans, It is believed. In
Jude the sending of on American mil
',a~y force. though naturally silence ID
Icing maintained at the War Depart-
sent regarding this. Congress- leaders
helieve this will be done now that the
theoretical peace with Austria has endeo
aad practical war begun.
The scenes In the House and Senate
,1.day lacked the tenseness Of excite
,ie-lt which marked the stirring days or
'4.t Apr.l when Congress was debating
aud voting on the question of the break
with Germany. To-day the session was
one ot sober business. There was no en-
thusiasm, but only a determination to
h-eak an ancient friendship In the cause
.f speedier return to peace through the
avenue OF a complete victory. Inc paci-
ry's such as have not been converted to
,.,o.war principles and are now more bel
,,cose than the Original warnen.
absen,ed themselves from the proceed
1gs.
Chairman Stone Of the Senate Com
nit..c on Foreign Relations brought the
solution to the floor Of the Senate IN
Tho course OF the morning hour II was
Just io:a3 when the Missour!an asked
unanimous consent that the declaration
oi a state OF war be made the business
before the Senate at the close OF the
morning hour.
one Hours Discussion.
DO IL now" shouted several Senators
rom different parts Of the chamber pu,
senator stone thought the Senate shouio
proceed In order, and at 12. .36. the morn
. .ng's business having been completed the
senate proceeded with the discussion
The discussion, including Senator stone
statement in regard to the form OF the
declaration. occupied exactly one hour
Vt 1876 Vice-Pre.ident Marshall put Tho
question. At l:45 the rollcall ended anc
the announcement was made that TN
Joint resolution had passed the Senate oS
vote of "A to q.
Senator La Toilette absented himself
from the chamber shortly before the roi
vas called. He cid not return when TN
bells rang throughout the building an
Souncinr that the vote was on. Hi'
absence naturally caused comment ant
rather sharp criticism. Later the Sen
ator returned to the chamber. He asked
recognition Of the chair and then ex
planned that he had gone to his once u
the Senate Building TO prepare an amend
nent which IT. was his intention to SUD
nit. In the rumble Of the subway n
had missed hearing the bells calling TN
vote
The amendment which Senator La Fol
lette contempla ted offering provided tina
the United States should express In tn
declaration a complete disclaimer OF an.
Intention to participate In any partition
of Austrian territory subsequent to tn
war or In any proposals to alter tn
boundaries OF the enemy country.
Il would have voted for the resolu
ton II my amendment had prevailed.
said Senator La Toilette. land ] woul
have voted against II had II been re
fused"
There was not the slightest chanc
that Senator La Follette's proposal woul
have received more than half q scoT
Of votes 20 that his announcement va
tantsmount to q declaration OF oppcs
ton to the measure.
Sent 20 the H0use.
Immediately tho roll call was ende
and the announcement OF the vote mad
by the vice-President the resolution wa
sent TO the House. That body had