The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-03-30
SPECULATION AS TO
THE SPECIAL SESSION
PRESIDENT HAS MADE NO
STATEMENT.
Westren Senator Advises Mr..
Wilson Against Taking Any
Precipitate Action"


army. navy and industrial prepared
ness measures to meet German ag-
gression going forward as rapidly as
possible, President Wilson and his
cabinet today took up consideration
OF further steps to follow the con-
vening of congress in extra session
next Monday
The president has not written the
message he will deliver Tuesday or
Wednesday and is said to have reach
ed no final conclusion as to just what
recommendations to make. Because
of possible changes in the situation
he is not expected to put the address
in final shape until the last mo-
ment
There is no doubt in the minds of
administration officials that, what
ever may be it's details, the policy
laid before congress will be both Wig
orous and comprehensive
The general opinion after the cab
met meeting apparently was that the
program most likely to be followed
by congress will include declara-
tion that state of war exists be-
tween the United States and Ger
many, an authorization for the presi-
dent to use the armed forces of the
nation to protect it's rights, the
granting of a large credit to the gov
ernment to carry out it's policy, pas
sage Of censorship and espionage
bills, and provision for the employ
ment of additional secret service
Iagents.
Would Help Entente.
No final decision has been reached
as to whether financial assistance
should be given the entente allies
though a strong sentiment for such
a step exists among government Of
ficials. If this is done the govern
ment probably will deal directly with
the other governments concerned and
not through agents.
Col. Z. NJ. House, the presidents
personal adviser, arrived at the
White House tonight from New York.
He is expected to stay several days
Senator Hitchcock, member of
the senate foreign relations commit
tee, conferred with the president
during the day and later said he be-
Ilieved Mr.. Wilson still had an open
mind regarding recommendations to
congress.
toll
thought the passage of a resolution
by congress indorsing the presidents
armed neutrality stand would be bet
ter than a declaration OF war, or a
declaration thai state OF war ex-
lists.
Afterwards the statement was au-
thorized at the White House that the
president had invited suggestions,
but had not committed himself to
any course in his talk with Senator
Hitchcock.
Senator Hitchcock said he called
to impress the president with the
Western sentiment against "precipi-
tate action
II wished the president to know"
he explained, that believe my own
State and most of the people of the
Western States are most desirous OF
avoiding a declaration of war, or a
declaration that a state of war ex-
lists, until no other course remains
open. / approve and / believe the
country approves the steps taken to-
wards defense-or complete prepar-
ations looking to war, If it becomes
necessary"
Measures growing out of the inter-
national situation and left over ap-
preparation bills, it appeared today,
will comprise almost the whole leg
islative program OF the approaching
extra session of congress.
While leaders will not attempt to
frame definite program until after
President Wilson's opening address
senate Democratic leaders today ex-
pressed belief that work of the extra
ordinary session would be confined
to legislation which is essentially
extraordinary"
The national defense. council, il be-
came known today, is considering
proposing legislation to make pos
sible the systemiZing OF the pur-