The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-03-22

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ident Wilson today called congress in
extra session on April 9.
The purpose of the extra session is
to take action on the state Of war
which admittedly exists between the
United States and Germany.
Congress probably will be asked to
declare that state of war has exist
ed since some recent date when Ger
man submarines began conducting
their most warlike operations against
American commerce.
In his proclamation calling congress
together, the president states that it
is for the purpose of receiving a COM
munication from him concerning a
grave question of national policy"
The proclamation does not state
specifically that the president consid-
ers state of war exists, but leaves
the question for discussion in his ad-
dress and for action for congress.
Cabinet Meeting Decided II.
President Wilson's decision to call
congress earlier than the date first
fixed for the extra session-April lG
was announced early today. The
presidents mind finally was made up
as the result Of yesterdays cabinet
meeting at which practically an unan-
imous opinion was expressed that
while preparations to put the nation in
full state Of armed neutrality were
going forward, congress, which alone
has the war-making power, should be
summoned.
The president deliberated on the
question until late last night and early
today made his decision. He chose
April 2 because he thought it would
be impossible for all members Of con-
gress to reach Washington earlier.
President viii Cite Overt Acts
In his address at the opening of the
extra session. the president will recte
the many overt acts against the Uni
ted States by Germany.
The sentiment in congress is under
stood to be overwhelmingly in favor
of a declaration that as a result of
Germany's acts against the United
States state of war already exists.
Vigilancis Foremost Overt Act
The foremost overt act which brot
the president to his decision was the
torpedoing without warning of the
American merchantman Vigilancia
with the loss of Is lives, five of them
Americans.
U. s. Has Accepted Ford Plant
Henry Ford, the Detroit automobile
manufacturer, has offered, and the
government has accepted, his great
plant to be operated without profit in
the event of war. Charles NJ. Schwab
has announced that his Bethlehem
plant now greater than Krupp's, will
be used entirely for the government
The United States Steel corporation
and n hundred other great industrial
organizations have been making plans
for their participation.
Washington, March 10. - Prepar-
ations for aggressive action by the
navy against the German submarine
menace began today at the direction
Of President Wilson.
The president authorized the ex-
pendture Of the $ll5,000,000 emer-
gency fund, provided by congress to
speed up naval construction and pay
for special additional war craft, and
the suspension of the eight-hour day
in plants engaged on navy work.
Immediately afterward Secretary
Daniels ordered the New York navy
yard to begin building sixty submarine
chasers of the 40 foot type to be com
pleted in from sixty to eighty days.
With the presidents approval, the
secretary also ordered the graduation
of the first and second classes at the
naval academy. The first class will
20 out March 20, releasing i27 junior
officers to fill existing vacancies, and
the second in September, furnishing
202 more a full year before they would
otherwise be available.
When the energies of the navy will
be concentrated for the present on
efforts to get into commission craft
designed particularly to destroy sub
marines and guard the coast, warship
building generally will be speeded up
under the recent agreement with pri.
vate builders and with the funds now
made available.