The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-04
ASSOCIATED Press)

| \AeSOCl0(6Q FTeSS)
Washington, April 4.-Congress
got down to work on the war resolu-
ton today with the prospect Of re-
naming in session continuously un-
til it is disposed Of.
In the senate it was taken up at
10 o'clock by unanimous consent and
with administration leaders deter
mined to permit no other business to
| interfere. r.
To Postpone War. H..
A resolution designed to postpone
war with Germany and give the i'm
perial government an opportunity to
change her present course was intro
duced between speeches by Senator
McCumber of North Dakota. McCunl:-
ber proposed that the United States
recognize the right OF any belliger-
ent to establish a blockade at any
time and any further sinking would
be regarded as an act Of war.
Il am pausing long enough ia, al
low Germany to withdraw her illegal
summarizing. There can be no great
war without violating rights Of Z
great deal of charitableness in this
respect, he said.
Senator McCumber proposed that
| Americans be warned OIL ships while
negotiations for 3 settlement with
Germany are under way. He held
that the United States ought to re-
main neutral that she might better
serve humanity"
Senator La Toilette, who forced it
over until today. was not in the
chamber when Senator Hitchcock
got unanimous consent to take it up.
Almost every other senator II, and
many house members were present
when the debate began.
Time For Speeches Past.
In an opening statement, Senator
Hitchcock, in charge of the resolu-
ton. said:
THE time for discussion has past.
The president has already stated the
reasons which makes this grave step
necessary. The resolution provides
for war against the German imperial
government. 1t places responsible
ity for the war squarely on the Ger
man government, charged with re-
peated acts of war against the United
States. 1t is also unquestionably q
declaration of war.
Prospect Dreadful.
II am impressed with the s0lem-
nifty of the occasion. To me the PROS
pect of war is dreadful. The enor-
nous cost the people must pay, the
great increase in the cost of living.
the enormous burden of taxes the
people must bear, and the awful sac
rifice that must follow sickens my
heart. I am sure many other sena-
tors feel as l do.."
Want No Territory.
1--WE want no more territory" said
Senator Hitchcock. I'VE will de-
mand no indemnity. We have no
historic grudge to settle, no racial
antipathy. In this respect, we diner
from the other countries already In
volved in this awful struggle. There
is Pan-Slavism against Pan-German-
ism. Italy wants back the Trentino,
France her lost provinces, Great
Britain has German commerce and
German colonies almost in her
grasp; Russia wants Constantinople,
and Germany. besides her place In
the sun, wants to dominate Europe.
Vindlcate Honor.
I'VE of all nations will spend our
treasure and our blood and sacrifice
our lives without the thought of pos
sibility of gain. We are going to war
to vindicate our honor and indo-
pendence as a great nation and In
defense of humanity. Such quarrel
as we have with Germany Is not OF
our choosing. It was forced upon
us, and we did much to avoid It. For
nearly three years, the president,
congress and the American people
have hoped to avoid it. But one des-
perate act by the imperial German
government has followed another. /
do not mean to say Germany has de-
sired war with US. l do not belleve
that. But the imperial German gov
ernment has been desperate. and has
taken desperate chances"
Neutrality Shocked
American neutrality, the senator
said. had first been shocked by the
invasion Of Belgium; then the sink-
ing of the Lusitania, almost caused
war. He said, however, he did not
consider that Germany had violated
any pledges she gave after the sink-
ing of the Lusitania, because she ~
expressly reserved the right % -
woke that pledge.
During Senator HitchcOckS
speech, Senator La Toilette was ~
sent most Of the time. coaforf1I
with Senator Gronna and 0thosD Vh0
(CootinNod . - 11cool