The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-04-10

washington, April 6.-The United
States today accepted Germany's
challenge to war and formally aban-
doned it's place as the greatest neu-
trail of a world in arms.
President Wilson at 1:1S (ofhclal
eime) this afternoon signed the reso-
luton of congress declaring the exis-
tence of a state of war and author1z-
ing and directing the chief executive
to employ all the resources OF tne
nation to prosecute hostilities against
the German government to success
full termination. The act was oone
without ceremony and only IN the
presence of members Of the presl-
dents family. Word was flashed I'M
mediately to all army and navy sta
tions and to vessels at sea, and Or
ders for further precautionary steps,
withheld until the last moment, were
dispatched.
By proclamation the president an
nounced the state Of war, called upon
all citizens to manifest their loyalty
and assured Germans in this country
that they would not be molested as
long as they behaved themselves. OF
ders were issued soon afterwards Tor
the arrest of so ringleaders In Ger
man plots and intrigues.
Complete mobilization of the navy
calling all reserves and militia to the
oolors, was ordered by Secretary Dan
iels as soon as the war resolution
was signed. The war department.
already having taken virtually every
step contemplated before raising OF a
real war army is authorized, waited
on congress. Secretary Baker con-
ferred with Chairman Dent OF the
house military committee and arrans-
ed to appear before the committee to-
morrow to discuss the general staff
army plans and consider the war bud
get OF more than s3,000,O00,0O0.
The president went over all of the
great preparatory measures with the
cabinet, discussing with what has
been accomplished and dwelling, it IS
understood, upon arrangements for
cooperation with the entente allies
against the common enemy.
The seizure of German ships laid
I'D in American barbors was the SUBJ
ject of interested comment, and legal
officers of the government began con-
sideration of the question OF wheth-
er the United States can confscate
ships outright or must pay for them
after the war. In any event, as soon
as they can be made seaWorthy, the
fine merchant feet thus acquired will
give America a merchant marine that
could not be duplicated III several
years and add more than 100000 to
the tonnage available for transporter
tion of supplies and munitions to the
allies.
Both houses of. congress nave ad-
turned over until Monday so that their
committees may be free for prelini-
mary work On war-legislation.
Word that King George and Presi-
dent Poincare had dispatched mes
sages of congratulations to President
Wilson was received unoficially. Only
unofficial information also came con-
cerning the action of President Men,
ocal of Cuba in recommending a dec
iaration of war against Germany by
Cuba. and the growing sentiment for
war in Brazil.
Foreign relationships of the United
States today underwent the great
change in the country's history, sweep
ing away practically all the interna-
tional questions of the past two years
and substituting entirely new prob
lens. AS q result of state depart
ment is being entirely reorganized and
the great mass of routine which has
overwhelmed even the highest OFF,
Gals, is to be redistributed along new
lines.
The first act by the department
when war became fact was to pre-
pare copies of the war resolution and
proclamation for all foreign missions
here for immediate transmission to
their governments. Gables were sent
to American missions abroad and full
mail dispatches prepared to go for
ward at once. So much of this work
had been foreseen that it merely
awaited release on word that the pres
ident had signed the proclamation.
The war proclamation follows:
Proclamation Of War.
Whereas. the congress of the
United States in the exercise of the
constitutional authority vested i'll
them have resolved by joint resolu-
ton of the senate and house Of rep
resentatives bearing date this day
that the state of war between the
United States and the imperial Ger
man government which has been
thrust upon the United States IS
hereby formally declared;
whereas, it is provided by sec
+:cn 4O67 of the revised statutes as
follows: whenever there is declared
a war between the United States and
any foreign nation or government OF
any invasion or predatory mcursion IS