Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-04-14
President wilson's Address to
Congress Urges Americans
to Take Up Arms.
NEUTRALITY is NOT FEASIBLE
Actions of German Governments a
Menace to Cause of Humanity,
Says Chief Executive.

/. Washington.-In an address to
congress, assem- bled in joint session
President Wilson urged the members
to declare a state of war existing be-
tween the United States and Germany
In a dispassionate, but unmeasured
denunciation of the course of the i'm
perial German government, which he
characterized as a challenge to all
mankind, the President declared that
neutrality no longer was feasible or
desirable where the peace of the world
was involved.
The President said war with Ger
many would involve practically CO.
operation with the governments now
at war with Germany, including lib
eral financial credits.
He urged the raising of one-half mil
lion men, chosen on the principle of
universal liability to service.
The President made it clear that no
action was being taken against the
Austrian government and other ma
lions allied with Germany.
His Address Sent to Berlin.
The objects of the United States
in entering the war, the President
said. were to vindicate the principles
of peace and justice against selfish
and autocratic power
The Presidents address was sent
in full to Germany by a German of
fetal news agency for publication in
that country.
The text also went to England, and
summary of its contents was sent
around the world to other nations.
To carry on an effective warfare
against the German government,
which he characterized as a natural
foe to liberty" the President recon-
mended:
Utmost practical cooperation in
counsel and action with the govern
ments already at war with Germany
Extension of liberal financial credits
to those governments SO that the re-
sources of America may be added so
far as possible to their organization.
Mobilization of all the material re-
sources of the country.
Full equipment of the navy, particu-
larly for means of dealing with sub
marine warfare.
An army of at least one-half million
men, based on the principle of uni
versal liability to service, and, the au-
thorization of additional increments
of one-half million each as they are
| needed or can be handled in training
Raising necessary money for the
| United States government so far as
possible without borrowing and on the
| basis of equitable taxation.
All preparations, the President
urged, should be made in such way
| as not to check the flow of war sup
| plies to the nations already in the
| field against Germany.
Measures to accomplish all these
ends, the President told congress,
would be presented with the best
| thought of the executive departments
and he besought consideration for
them in that light.
His Enthusiastic Reception
President Wilson's appearance be-
| fore congress was marked by a scene
| of the greatest enthusiasm ever shown
| since he began the practice of deliver
ing his addresses in person. Crowds
on the outside of the capitol cheered
him frantically as he entered, and as
he left congress roared cheer after
| cheer in an outburst of patriotic en-
| thusiasm.
The only members who appeared
not to be joining in the demonstration
| were some senators of the group
which the President branded as will
| full men," who, by preventing a vote
on the Armed Neutrality Bill, had
made the great government of the
United States contemplate
Chief Justice White was among
those who cheered loudly and there
was no division of spirit between Re
| publicans and Democrats.
Guarded by Cavalry.
The President reached the capitol
about 500 o'clock. AS his big motor
swung around before the east front
of the building two troops of the
| Second Regdla Cavalry on guard
sabers gl1ttering under the arc lights
| swept the plaza clear while the thou
sands cheered. He was taken imme
diately to Speaker Clark's room and
then into the house chamber, where
the senators were just filing in. Sir
| members of the supreme court who
had taken seats in front of the speak
er's stand, stood and faced about
1t was noticed that Senator La
Toilette, Senator Stone and Senator
Cummins, who helped defeat the
Uncertain Dividends.