The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-21
UNDER PRESSURE
PRESIDENT Wells
HIS WAR PLANS
, War Demand Greater Than
Since Lusitania Sinking.
Cabinet and Congress Members
Urge Action at Once.
STATE SECRETS CUT FIGURE
International Political Data
Enter Into Situation.
u. S. Patriotic Flame Ready to
Burst Forth.
Cabinet and Congress Members
Urge Action at Once.
STATE SECRETS CUT FIGURE
u. S. Patriotic Flame Ready to
Burst Forth.

Washington, March 21.-Under ire
mendous pressure from every side to
call congress into immediate session
and declafe a state of war between
tho United States and Germany, Pres
ident Wilson was still silent on his
course aside from the fact that he
called an extra session of congress for
April =.
Members of his cabinet, intimate
friends. senators and representatives
and scores of kilograms and letters
from people back IN the country
have urged President wilson 70 aet
and act at once" against Germany
Not stace the sinking of the Eusl-
tania has the president been buffeted
by such demands for war.
At that time ne held out against a
majority of his cabinet and popular
demand for a declaration of hostlll-
ties
- May Weather the Storm.
Y There were evidences today that he
might again weather the storm and
follow the course he has set. 1t is
known the president feels that calling
congress now, declare state of war
ana ask further measures for the de-
Tense of American commerce, might
be forcing the issue" There are few
officials here who doubt that congress
IN such event would Immediately au-
thcrize a declare ton Of war.
Those who oppose more drastic ac-
ton at This time, declare the presi-
dent alone knows all the elements en-
tering into a war decision by the
United States now.
For the first time ii became known
today that there are many secrets
about the internal political situation
of different belligerent nations in the
hands of this government, which
never have never been even suspected.
Many of these enter Immediately in
to consideration of this government
course now.
But against these points of view the
presidents cabinet and kilograms from
the country argue along the following
lines in favor of immediate action:
Several Courses Proposed.
Prompt assumption of an aggressive
attitude toward Germany. The peo-
pie are ready for war and need only
the call.
Sounding of a single patriotic note
which would Immediately augment re-
cruiting in both the navy and army
branches of defense service and enable
the government to man it's war vessels
up to full strength; or
Declaration of ii state of war which
would encourage the entente soldiers
in the field; encourage the Russian
revolutionists in the prompt and~defi-
mite formation of a sound democratic
government, materially uepfeSS Ger
many-and in all bring peace nearer
There are some of the president
cabinet advisers who think this gov
ernments entrance into the war al
this time will result in a movement
thruout Germany such as that which
rocked Russia and mus may over
throw the German imperial govern
ment which the entente has held must
be destroyed. and further democratize
Europe. one of the expressed ideals
of President Wilson
AS one cabinet member expressed
the situation, Germany has punched
us in the stomach A state of wal
exists. It's up to us to go after them