The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-04-05

WASHINGTON, April 2. President
Wilson tonight asked Congress to de-
clare state of war existing between tn e
United States and Germany.
While the news of the torpedoing of
the steamer Aztec-the first Americ an
armed ship to sail into the war zone-was
being told from mouth to mouth in the
capital, the President, appearing before
House and Senate in joint session, asked
Congress to recognize and deal with
Germany's warfare on America.
The President said war with Germany
would involve practical cooperation with
the governments now at war with Ger
m any, including liberal financial credits.
The President made it clear that no
&C tion was being taken against the
Austrian government and the other ma
tions allied with Germany.
The President urged the organization
of an army of at least 10000 men,
chosen upon the principle of universal
liability to service"
WASHINGTON. April 2. The Demo-
Gratis, with the aid of four of the five in
dependents, organized the House when
the new Congress. assembled today, re-
electing Speaker Champ Clark of Mis-
souri, and sweeping into office with him
all the ether Democratic caucus nomis
nees. Mr.. Clark received PIT vote
against 205 for Rep. Mann, the Repub-
lican choice for Speaker, who not only
failed to receive an independent vote,
but lost the support Of five OF his party
colleagues.
National defense war measures and
bills for patriotic purposes predominated
in the great number of bills introduced
today in Congress.
Immediately after the President left
the Capitol the Senate and House recon-
ven+d and the following joint resolution
was introduced to both houses:
Joint resolution declaring that state
of war exists between the Imperial Ger
man Government and the Government
and people of the United States and
making provision to prosecute the same:
'Whereas the recent acts of the I'M
peral German Government are acts of
war against the Government and people
of the United States;
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled that the
state Of war between the United States
and the Imperial German Government
which has thus been thrust upon the
United States is hereby formally de-
clared; and
''That the President be, and he is here
by authorized and directed to take i'm
mediate steps not only to put the coun-
try into thorough state of defense, but
also 70 exert all of its power and employ
all of its resources to carry on war
against the Imperial German Govern
ment and to oring the conflict to a sue
cessfu termination.
The resolution was referred to the For
eign Affairs committees by both houses,
and adjournment followed.
WASHINGTON, April 3. The way was
cleared Oh both sides of the capitol to-
day for prompt enactment of the ad-
ministration resolution declaring state
of war exists with Germany and direct
ing the President to prosecute it with all
the nations resources to successful
termination. Baked by Senator La Fol-
lette in their effort to have their resolu-
ton taken up Immediately after it was
presented from the foreign relations
committee, Senate leaders decided to be-
gin tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock a
session to continue until vote has been
taken. Cooperation between the Ameri-
can navy and those of the Allied powers
will be effected Immediately upon the in
vestment of necessary authority by Con-
gress.