Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-03-31
Congress Expected to Form
ally Recognize That State
of War Exists.
NATION TO STAND
BEHIND PRESIDENT
Officials Cite Long List Of Murders,
Piratic Acts, Bomb Outrages and
Conspiracy to Show Germany
Making War on L. 8.

Washington, March 3O.-The ad-
ministratve branch OF the American
government has determined definitely
upon a course of action to meet the
hostility of Germany.
While official announcement is
withheld pending the appearance of
President Wilson before congress.
formal recognition OF the existence of
state of war is expected to follow
soon after the extra session con-
venes.
The president, having decided on
the principal features of the moment-
Gus address to be delivered to a Joint
session of the house and senate, is
putting it into writing. and today had
his final discussion with his cabinet.
The meeting lasted only an hour AMI
a half, but, It's conclusions quickly
made known. time was found for at
tentiOn to individual departmental
matters. Later the president con-
ferred briefly with Secretaries Baker
and Daniels. heads of the war and
navy departments S
Germany Now Waging War.
There is said to have been no dir
ference of opinion in the cabinet on
the great question. The presidents
advisers, as we'll as official Washing
ton generally, have long since ac-
cepted as fact that war actually Is
being waged against the United
States.
Officials believe that Germany Is
making war on this nation because
she has taken more than 24O Amer'-
can lives on the high seas; because
she has destroyed American ships by
wholesale: because millions of dol
lars worth Of damage has been done
as the result of German plots in the
United States: because she attempted
to set on foot conspiracy with
Mexico and Japan to dismember the
republic. and finally, because Of the
belief that Germany triumphant will
constitute a future menace to the
peace of the world in general and OF
the United States in particular
The United States, 1t is emphasized
in official quarters. has not in the
past desired and does not now de-
sire war with the German people, but
on the German government is placed
the responsibility for terrorism on
land and sea, which now that 1t has
been directed against American citi-
zens and American property must be
actively combatted.
Just what part the United States
will play is the question the United
States has yet to determine. The
subject has been generally discussed
within the administration, but the
broad policy to be pursued will be de-
veloped only after the international
status has been definitely decided by
congress, and urgent defense steps
completed.
After the president has delivered
his address to congress, It is ex-
pected to take under consideration
the proposal of granting large
credit to the government and to pro-
vide for an army of perhaps 1,OO0.-
900 men. Other measures. such a. q
censorship bill, spy bill. the regular
army appropriation bill and emery
ency legislation for the army and
navy also will be submitted.
No Political Alliance.
The government, so far as is known,
has no plan for political alliance
with the entente allies. althO de-
gree of military cooperation, Of
course, will be essential Always.
in the presidents mind, it is believed,
will be the ultimate peace for which
he already has outlined his program
"a league Of nations. backed BY
moral and military force
AS summarized today. everything
that can be done without congress
sional action to arm against Ger
many either has been done or has
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CONTINUED on page five,