The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-12-13
UNITED STATES
DECLARES WAR
ON AUSTRIA
Wilson Signs Resolution Passed
by Congress.
ONLY "N0" BY SOCIALIST
Rep. London Votes Against Act-La
Toilette Absent During Voting
Stone Declares Vienna is Linked
With Germany and War
Already Exists.

| Washington, Dec. S.-The United
| States is at war with the Austrian EN-
pire.
The final act between America and
Germany's strongest ally was enacted
at 8 :03 o'clock Friday afternoon when
| President Wilson placed his signature
to the resolution passed by the senate
and house declaring the existence OF
a state Of war between the United
States and Austria.
| President Wilson's signature to the
resolution followed those of Vice Pres
ldent Marshall, presiding officer of the
senate, and Champ Clark, speaker OF
the house.
| The resolution In the senate was
adopted by vote of "A to 0, Senator
La Toilette not voting, he having with
drawn just before the roll call wf
started.
Senators Gronna of North Dakota,
Norris of Nebraska and Vardaman Of
Mississippi, who voted against the
German war declaration, supported
the resolution. Senator La Toilette of
Wisconsin left during the speechmak-
Ing, and did not cast his vote.
Some time after the voting was over
la Toilette returned to the senate
chamber and announced that he would
have voted against the Austrian war
! declaration had he been present, I'M
less It had been amended TO provide
that the United States would not be
s party TO any agreement TO take any
territory held by Austria prior to
August I, 1914.
Denies Evadina Vote.
Senator La Toilette explained that
bis absence at the voting was due TO
the fact that he had expected the de-
bate to continue until late In the day,
and that he had gone to his office TO
perfect an amendment when the res
olution was passed He denied that
he had any intention Of absenting
himself from the chamber to escape
voting.
Socialist Cast Negative Vote.
The house, after considerable de-
bate, adopted the senate resolution by
a vote of 1863 to l. Representative
London, Socialist, of New York cast
Ing the negative vote.
Chairman Stone of the senate for
eign relations committee presented the
resolution and moved its immediate
adoption.
Besides the reasons that Austria Is
Germany's active ally and as such has
committed warlike acts against the
United States, Senator Stone declared
there was the further reason that mas
much as Italy, France and Belgium
comprised one battle front, American
troops might at any time be facing
Austrians.
Senator Stone made no reference to
Turkish or Bulgarian relations.
Austria Linked to Germany.
SIN this great world struggle said
Senator Stone, "all men know of the
Intimate and apparently lndissoluble
relations between the governments OF
Germany and Austria-Hungary. In
the progress of events it has become
manifest that the United States Is in
evitably as much at war with Austria
Hungary as with Germany. In the
circumstances II is impossible that am
lcable relations between the two coun-
tries should be continued.
an the prosecution OF the war Ger.
man and Austro-H Hungarian troops are
co-ordlnated and cooperative.
Says War Already Exists.
"The United States is supporting
Italy as well as England and France
and these countries in like manner are
supporting the United States In the
war, they are all waging against the
imperial German government.
aside from acts of aggression and
offense committed by the Austro- Hun
garlan government against the Unitet
States, which in itself the committee
declares to be sufficient cause for war
II is manfestly impossible that the
United States and Austria should bs
at peace while Germany and the
United States are at war.
"The state Of actual war already ex
lists between Austria and the United
States. 1t is better for us and for tn.
world that this great fact should h.
recognized and acted upon affirma
lively and authoritatively. Nationa
honor and national interests alike de
mand that this government should as
sumo an attitude Of dignity. sincerit,
and commanding flrmness In Its intss
national relations"
Lodge Scores Turkey.
Senator Lodge of Massachusett,
scored the Turkish government AMI
declared that to secure unity Bulga ri,
also should be recognized as foe.
Senator Lodge closed by declarin
the Austrian war declaration a aus
and righteous step" and espresso.
belief that the declarations agains
Turkey and Bulgaria merely wer
postponed.
Senator Hitchcock Of Nebraska do
clared the action against Austria wa
merely one Of policy, not principle