El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-21
CONGRESS To
MEET APRIL Z
Is Called by President to
Declare That War
Exists.
Continued from Page T.,

HnrlTelE
United States Steel corporation and a
hundred other great industrial organl-
cations have been making plans, Tor
their participation
Copper Supplies Patriotic
Yesterday the great copper interests
notified the government that they
would supply the army and navy with
their vital supplies of copper al aoolt
half the market price
S5OO.OOO.OOa To BE Needed
While il is not known how much
money president Wilson may suggest
to congress as necessary 10 meet the
situation. leaders in the senate have
held the view that not less than $500
600 600 should be granted at once in
case war is declared. II is not proba-
hIe that legislation giving such a sum
would meet with any opposition
Wilson Keeps Ideals in Mind.
Quite aside from the task OF protect
ing American lives and rights against
aggression on the high seas. the presi-
dent has considered the broader ques-
tlon Of the preservation OF civilization,
the distribution OF world power after
the war. q natural ARRANGEMENT OF the
worlds peoples in governments by the
consent Of the governed and an effect
i've league of nations to protect the
world against another cataclysm or
war. The influence Of the United states
in the conferences which viii make
peace is everywhere admitted as not 70
be overestimated
Allied Diplomats Iunlthnt-
When the word that the president had
summoned congress went through the
allied embassies this morning. II was
received with reclamation There -
not a diplomat in the corps who does
not believe that II means the entry OF
the United States into the great war.
bringing its wealth. its armed forces,
its great resources and its moral power
TO the side Of the entente allies. in what
they feel is their battle for the preser-
walton Of civilization and democracy-
May Disregard Hague Conventions.
Although The Hague conventions OF
1907, to which both the United States
and Germany are signatories, declare
thar hostilities shall not begin with
out formal notice to belligerents. as
well as neutrals. 1t is recognized that
The Hague treaties have been so open
" disregarded during the war in
Europe. that no compliance with them
may be expected with any confidence
Before The Hague conventions there
was ample preceGeul for beginning OF
hostilities without formal war declara-
lions.
The precedents OF history show that
the great majority OF the worlds con-
flicts have been begun before formal
declaration OF war was made
How War May Begin.
According TO authorities in interEa-
tional law a condition OF var arises
in three ways:
IA declaration OF war
"A proclamation OF manifesto de-
ciaring that state OF war exists.
Through the commission OF hos
tile acts Of force
one authority on International Law
describing ways in which host1ntles
may begin without formal declaration
saws "acts Of force by way Of reprisals
or during a pacific blockade or during
an intervention might be rorcibiy re-
sisted. hostilities breaking out in this
way"
quickly followed by predictions at the
capitol that congress speedily would
declare a state Of war existing.
House To Support President.
Chairman Flood, Of the house for
eign affairs committee, said he eN-
pected congress would quickly pass
a resolution declaring a state or war
exists and endorsing the presidents
course
Congress viii declare that a state
OF war exists. will endorse the presi-
dents stand and will make whateyec
appropriation are necessary TO enable
the president to carry forward the war
plans as quickly as possible said MI.
Flood
priation OF very much more than the
800. 600, 600 proposed in the armed neu-
trality bill, which passed the house
and failed IN the senate.
Senate VIII Act Also.
Senator Poindexter. Republican. OF
Washington, said today that congress
will pass quickly a law authorizing
a united war on German submarines.
7 expect congress-" he said TO
take vigorous action immediately
Party Leaders Summoned.
Calls for all party leaders in con-
gress to hurry back 10 Washington
went out Immediately. Speaker Clark
is on his way home from New Orleans
and is expected here Friday Dernocra-
tic leader kitchin is in North Carolina
and Republican leader Mann is in Chi
cage.
At the capital those congressman al /
ready here agreed that granting OF
emergency authority in some form, WIZ
be the first business after organization
OF the house outside Of all emergency /
legislation. the four failed supply bills
army. military academy, general de-
ficiency and sundry ciEil-whieh in
clude some legislation OF vital import
ance to national defence, viii be
pressed for quick enactment
To Take Over Foreign ships.
Other considerations at the extra
session include the shipping board
amendments to enable the government
10 take over foreign ships building il
American yards and additional revenue
raising legislation
Can Put Bonds on Market.
The secretary of the treasury now
has authority to issue obligations Of
the United States in the form Of bonds
OF short term certificates Of Indebted
MSS amounting 10 S574.000, 900. OF this
total about S100,0O0,000 was authorized
by congress to cover expenses of the
Mexican situation. the Alaskan rail-
way and the government armor plate
plant About $40 000, 600 was to be used
to build government nitrate plant
for the use of the shipping board of
the rest S15O,O00,0O0 is for the US by
the president in connection with any
emergency requiring expedition of
naval work This leaves S254, 900, 600 on
which there are no rstrictiOns which
would be available just as soon as the
necessary obligations were issued. Sec
rotary McAdOO was said to today not to
have prepared to issue any bonds imme-
diately but when he so determined. they
can be put on the market in short Or
der
II would be a simple matter for con
gress TO wipe out the restrictions on
the S574.000.000 total if the president
and Mr. McAdOO recommend il.