Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-03-22
America Not to Wage Con-
quest Campaign, But
Will Protect Self.
MAY SEND MEN TO EUROPE
Battleships to Be Used in
Cleaning Sea Lanes; Con-
gress Leaders Called.

WASHINGTON, March 81.
President Wilson today met
the constantly increasing prob
ability of war with Germany
by summoning congress to as
semble in extraordinary ses-
sion Monday, April q two
weeks earlier than the date he
had chosen before the latest
assaults upon American rights
on the high seas.
When the president addresses
congress he is expected to show
how u state of war actually has
existed Tor some time because Of p.
the unlawful aggrcssions of Ger
man submarines.
Congress l. expected formally
To declare II state of war exist
ing, vote "a large sum, probably n
half billion dollars, for national
defense and clothc the president
with authority TO use the armed
forces of the United States, as it
empowered President Mckinley
to deal with the menace OF Spain
I'm 1898.
Such action would not be a declara-
.g ..,I
sense, and whether the United States
and Germany actually go to war in
the fullest acceptation of the term
will depend on what the imperial gov
ernment does before congress is as
sembled or after its acts.
Ominous News From Europe.
Dispatches from abroad tonight de-
claring that the German government
expected state of war within the
next as hours placed an ominous as
pect on the situation.
Much to change the presidents
present intentions or the course of the
government In the crisis may develop
before April 2. If the American
armed ships will by that time have
struction of one OF them unquestlon-
ably would bc an act of war.
Watch Danger Zone Now.
on the other hand sinking of a
submarine by one of the armed mer-
chantmen probably would be met as
an act of war by Germany. Even the
armlng Of American ships with the
avowed purpose of defending them
against U-boats may be declared such
an act
In any Of these events practically
nothing would remain except for con-
gross to acknowledge n state of war
existing from a certain specified date
probably last sunday, when three
American ships were sunk with loss
OF life.
Days of Anxiety Come.
Tho next ten days until congress
meets will be days of tense anxiety,
Of eager waiting ana watching fraught
with possibilities Of tremendous con-
sequences TO the United states
President Wilson ana his advisers
in the cabinet and in congress have
no intention that war shall be de-
clared by the United States. by the
hostile acts of German submarines
they believe the imperial German
the United states and that II shall be
recognized as such a state. To meet
such a condition the armed forces of
the country and all the national re-
sources are TO be put in a state OF
readiness. Then whether the nation
shall enter the war in its full sense
will depend upon how much further
Germany carries her acts of agrees
sion,
War. but Defensive.
In every sense war. II II comes,
Will be a defensive war free from am
bitions OF spoils of territory in which
the United states, the president has
publicly declared. shall want nothing
for itself and shall seek Cnly To pre-
serve the rights Of civilization and
humanity.
In such q situation the United
States might even become an actual
participant in the hostilities on the
European continent without becoming
political ally of any of the entente
powers, SIMPLY casting its weight OF
men. money and moral influence into
the battle aainst common enemy.
Ports OF the United States probably
would bo open to warships of the en-.
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO