Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-03-28
Special Session of Nations
Lawmakers Set for
April 2
EXPECTED TO DECLARE
STATE OF war EXISTS
Administration Considers Various
Plans to Meet situation-ActiVity
centers in Naval Prepare
tion-May Vote Credit
to Allies.

Washington, d. c., March 22.-Presi-
dent Wilson on Wednesday met the
constantly increasing probability of
war with Germany by summoning con-
gress to assemble in extraordinary SEES
sion on Monday, April 1.-TWO weeks
earlier than the date he had chosen
before the latest assaults upon Amer
lean rights on the seas.
When the president addresses con
gress, he is expected to show how
state OF war actually has existed for
some time because Of the unlawful ag-
gressions OF German submarines.
Congress is expected formally to de-
clare a state of war existing, vote
large sum. probably S500,000,0 900, for
national defense and clothe the presi-
dent with authority to use the armed
forces of the United States, as it EN-.
powered President Mckinley to deal
with the menace of Spain in 1898.
Not War Declaration.
Such action would not be a declara-
ton of war except in a technical
sense and whether the Uunted States
and Germany actually go to war in
the fullest acceptation of the term will
depend on what the imperial govern
ment does before congress is assem-
bled or after it acts.
Much to change the presidents pres
ent intentions or the course of the
government in the crisis may develop
before April 2. The first American
armed ships will by that time have
reached the war zone. The ruthless
destruction Of one of them unquestion-
ably would be an act of war.
On the other hand, sinking of a sub
marine by one Of the armed merchant
men probably would be met as an act
of war by Germany Even the arming
of American ships, with the avowed
purpose of defending them against
U-boats may be declared such an act.
All Blame on Germany.
In any of these events practically
nothing would remain except for con-
gress 10 acknowledge "a state OF war
existing from a certain specified date
probably March Is, when three
American merchant ships, the City Of
Memphis. YisiIaneia and Illinois. were
sunk with loss of life.
The next ten days, until congress
meets. will be days Of tense enxiety. of
eager waiting and watcing. fraught
with possibilities Of tremendous con
sequences to the United States
President Wilson and his advisers
in the cabine md in congress nave no
intention that war shall be declared
by the United States. By the hostile
acts of German submarines they be-
lievc mat the imperial German govern
ment is actually making war upon the
United States, and that it shall be rec
ognized as such a state. To meet
such condition the armed forces of
the country and ali the national re-
sources are to be put in state of
readiness Then whether the nation
shall enter the war in its full sense
win depend upon how much further
Germany carries her acts Of aggres-
sion.
Would Be War Of Defense.
In every sense war, If it actually
comes, Will be a defensive war. free
from ambitions of spells or territory
in which the United States. the presi-
dent has publicly declared. shall want
nothing for itself and shall seek only
to preserve the rights sof civilization
and humanity
In such a situation the United States
might even become an actual partici-
pant in The hostjlities on the European
cantinent without becoming politi-
ca ally o. any OF the entente powers,
simply casting its weight of men.
money and moral influence into the
battle agalls, a common enemy.
Ports of the United States will be
opened 10 wanhips OF the entente
navies, credits from the vast stocks
OF gold. food, munitions and other ma
terials might be extended to all the
entente powers. The American navy
probably would cooperate with the
British and French navies in clearing
submarines from the seas.
In laying the whole situation before
congress the president is expected to
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