The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-03-28
STILL IN DOUBT AS TO
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
A Declaration That War Exists Is
Likely Course
THREE COURSES ARE OUTLIN-
ED BY HITCHCOCK
Sentiment In West Is For Continuing
Armed Neutrality.

Washington, March 27.-President
Wilson was represented today as still
having an open mind OH exactly what
steps he will recommend to Congress
when it meets in special session next
Monday, although the preponderance !
of official opinion is that he should
ask for a declaration that state of
war exists between the United States
and Germany. 3
Prior to cabinet meeting at WHICH Z
details Of preparedness measures ;
ere discussed, Senator Hitchcock,
ranking Democratic member of the
Senate foreign relations comitec, dis,
cusscd the situation with the Presi-
dent. Afterward he outlined the fol-
lowing three courses which he believ-
ed open to Congress:
Passage of a resolution endorsing
steps already taken by the President
to place the United States in a state
of armed neutrality, and authorizing.
further preparedness moves;
Adoption of a resolution declaring
that state of war exists between the
United States and Germany and;
Adoption of declaration of war
against Germany.
Senator Hitchcock said there was
undoubtedly sentiment in the west for
taking the first of the three, instead
of declaring war or declaring that
state of war exists.
Hunting Precedents.
Other advisers of the President.
taking the view that the best step is
declaration that state Of war ex-
lists, are eXaming precedents in order
to map out the best course to pur-
sue. The general expectation is that
the resolution adopted when the Unit
cd States went to war with Mexico
will be followed closely in the pres
ent situation. That resolution recited
repeated acts of aggression on the
part Of Mexico against the United,
States.
The President is not expected to
put his message to Congress into fl
nal shape until just before delivering
it.
Senator Hitchcocks made it clear
that he went to the White House on
his own initiative.
The President will be ready to go
before Congress at the earliest possi-
bic time after it convenes.
1000 Marines Wanted.
The United States marine corps
| needs more than four thousand men
to fill up its ranks to war strength
of 1900 men. The need is urgent.
IN appeal to the press of the coun-
try to awaken interest in recruiting,
the additional men was issued late
yesterday by Secretary Daniels af-
ter an executive order was signed by
President Wilson authorizing the in
crease. The secretary today express
ed confidence that there would be an
immediate response
Explaining that the present au-
thorized maximum strength of the
marine corps was 1881 men, Secre-
tary Daniels said that more than
Zo,uoo more men would have to be
recruited to give the navy $1,000
blueJackcts and the marine corps the
increase necessary.
Will Need Naval Militia
Every step that is possible to in
crease the navy personnel has now
been taken except the calling ont Of
the naval militia. This arm Of the
service will be needed, it is said. to
assist in manning new vessels.
The fact that the government has
no present intention to seek. the in
tcrnmcnt of any resident aliens, so
long as they are olcdicnt to the laws
OF the nation, was made clear BY Sec
rctary Baker today. He added that
this applied to German army rcscrv-
lists as well as to other resident aliens.