Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-23
THE KAISER
= WILL AGAIN TRY To
EMBARRASS WILSON
Washington Officials Hear
That a European Neutral
Will Soon Offer to Mediate
Between u, S, and Germany

(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Offers Of
mediation, to prevent actual war between
the United States and Germany, are eX-
pected among the next developments.
Administration officials heard today
that a European neutral was contem-
plating such a plan. and they frankly
regarded it as an another effort, backed
by Germany, to divide sentiment in con-
gress and embarrass the president.
it was declared authoritatively today
that no proposals of mediation or for
discussion will be considered unless Ger
many first abandons the campaign of
ruthleSSness.
All administration officials from the
president down take the position that
the United States never has, and does
not now, desire war with Germany, but
is being forced into it to protect lives
and rights of its citizens against I'M
lawful aggression.
Unless Germany is prepared to COM
pletely change her position, 1t was de-
clared today, offers Of mediation and
discussion are useless. Germany, it was
recalled, never accepted former Secre-
tary Bryan's proposal to sign one of
his peace investigation" treaties which
would have hound the United States to
inaction for a year, while commission
investigated the situation.
Meanwhile every preparation for an
eventuality is being carried forward by
the army and navy and the president
is awaiting the assembling OF congress.
Unless there is some great change in
the situation before April >, it is ex-
pected. he will detail, in his address,
how Germany has in fact been making
war against the United States by the
ruthless opsratioTssef her .U-boatss and
leave it to. congress ito declare state
of war existing and vote money and men
to protect the interests of the United
States.
President Wilson is believed to be pre-
Carlng to address congress and to show
that war actually has existed for some
time. Congress probably will appro-
pirate about half a billion dollars for ma
tional defense and authorize the presi-
dent to use the armed forces of the
United States against Germany.
Technically, this would amount to a
declaration of war, but whether the
United States shall enter the war in it's
full sense will depend on the extent to
which Germany continues the unlawful
aggressions of her submarines.
In congressional circles today the sug
gestion was heard that the fight for or
ganization of the house be deferred pend
ing action by congress on the interna-
tional crisis. The senate already has
organized and will be ready for bust
ness upon assembling.
Steps to put the country in a state of
preparedness went forward rapidly to-
day Most Of the activity was in the
navy where big preparations are being
made to meet the submarine menace.
Because of the uncertainty as to what
part the army may take. plans for that
arm of the military service are not quite
so definite, although steps to meet vary
ing contingencies have been formulated.
It became known today that Tues
days cabinet meeting discussed what
active steps the United States should
take after a state of war is declared,
considered the opening Of American
ports to warships of the entente allies;
the opening Of the vast credits to the
allies for their supplies, and co-operat-
ins action with the allied fleets in
clearing the submarines out of the ship
ping lanes and guarding transports to
Europe.
One of the measures now under con-
by the federal shipping board
IS the building of a large standardized
Iieet of small wooden cargo steamers to
carry supplies through the submarine
zone. The question Of participation Of
an American army on the European
battlef1elds was touched upon, it was
as one of the possibilities of
the future. but not to be considered as
a prospective step now.
WILSON'S PROCLAMATION.
The presidents proclamation follows;
Whereas public interest require
that the congress of the United
States should be convened in extra
session at Il o'clock noon, on the
second day of April 1917, to receive
a communication by the executive on
grave matters of national policy
which should be taken Immediately
under consideration.
Now. therefore, l, Woodrow Will
son. president of the United States
Of America, do hereby proclaim and
declare that an extraordinary occa-
sion requires the congress of the
United States to convene in extra
session at the capitol in the city of
Washington on the second day of
April 1917, at II o'clock noon, of.
which all persons who shall at that
time be entitled to act as members
thereof are hereby required to take
notice.
Given under my hand and the seal
Of the United States of America, the
21st day of March, in the year Of
our Lord. one thousand nine hun
dred and seventeen and of the indie
pendence of the United States the
1A1st