New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Overwhelming Votes Ex-
pected in Both Houses
Against Austria
u. S. Troops Soon
On Italian Front
Turkey and Bulgaria Left
Out, as Wilson
Requested

WASHINGTON, Dec Ga declara-
ton Of war with Austria-Hungary to-
night promises to be voted by Congress
within the next twenty-four hours.
The House Of Representatives, after
Chairman Flood had submitted a report
s,atinc that a state Of war with Austria
,e.ually had existed for some months
and that American troops probably soon
would be lighting on the Italian front,
formally agreed TO proceed tomorrow
with consideration Of the resolution as
unanimously reported by its commit
tee.
After several hours deliberation the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
unanimously approved a resolution in
somewhst similar form. and directed
Chairman Stone 70 place it before the
senate when 1t reconvenes tomorrow.
wilson's Advice Taken
DEVELOPMENTS to-day virtually made
u certain that sentiment in favor Of
including declarations against Turkey
and Bulgaria in spite of President
Wilson's advice had been checked.
Administration leaders Of both bodies
tonight expressed confidence that de-
hate would be comparatively brief and
that the declaration would be approved
bv overwhelming votes before adjourn
neut tomorrow. The only obstacles
lie in the difficulties of Senate proce-
iure and technical differences over the
,rm Of the final draft.
Unanimous consent required under
--serzte rules for immediate discussion
the resolution will be sought by
'ssirman stone, who believed tonight
that no Senator would object and that
.bs matter would be disposed OF be-
fore adjournment, differences between
the Senate and House resolutions quick-
" adjusted and the final draft sent 10
the President tomorrow night. Oo-
lection bv a single Senator. however
would force over the resolution until
Saturday.
Flood Explains Declaration
In introducing the resolution IN the
House Representative Flood spoke at
length upon the reasons for not eX-
tending the declaration to Germany's
,,bsr allies. He said such step
merely would strengthen Germanys
hold uuon Bulgaria and Turkey, while
fer the present, at least, there could be
no question Of direct military opera
tions bv the United States against these
countries. IL
None OF the Allied powers, he de-
elared. had suggested that the pr0secu-
ton OF the war could be oeneheialIy az
fected by such declarations. Nelthe.
Turkey nor Bulgaria has commltleu
aggressions against the United STATES
and the latter has not even proheh
diplomatic relations.
The situation Of American mission
aries in Turkey, now being wei treated,
also was touched upon, and MI 1000
pointed out that while Turkish inter
ests in the United States are lnslgnlh-
cant, those Of the United States IN IN"
Ottoman Empire arc very large. mere
is nothing TO fear from Turks IN TINS
country. ne said, as most OF them are
Christian Syrians, Assyrians and Ar
menians.
Austrian Misdeeds Listed
The House Committee's report dealt
in detail with the causes Tor the dec-
lAration, reciting Austrian submarine
depredations, her approval OF the Ger
nan submarine policy and the IN
trigues and plots Of her official repre-
sentatives in this country, and con-
tinued:
~Untn the present Austro-German
drive in northern Italy, the Austrian
forces were gradually being driven
back by the forces Of the Italian army
With the assistance OF German troops
drawn from the Russian front, very
serious catastrophe was inflicted upon
the Italian arms, which, If II had not
been stemmed. might have resulted IN
the collapse OF Italy. Such result
would have been great blow TO those
with wnom we are associated IN TINS
war, and as much TO the United States
as 20 any OF her co-belligerents.
"As a result Of this situation the
Allies have rushed aid TO Italy snd
the United States is sending ships'
money and supplies, and will probably
soon send troops, who will be facing
and making war on Austrian soldiers
VIII Hearten Italy
"The Italian situation is one Of the
utmost importance in the present con-
duet Of the war. A declaration OF war
BY the United States against Austria
Hungary will hearten the people OF
Italy, who have been misled by the
misehieyous propaganda engineered oy
Germans. Il will strengthen from "A
military point OF view the whole Allied
cause. These are strong considerations
Tor declaration Of war against Aus
tris.Hungsry.
These considerations, and the fact
That Austria-Hungary is adherng 10
the illegal and inhumane policy OF
ruthless submarine warfare, and Is, as
The committee believes, making war
epon American vessels and American
citizens on the high seas, and other
reasons which are not deemed neces-
sary to recapitulate here, induced the