Licking Valley courier., 1917-04-05

they, too, were unanimously favored.
1t would cost $6,0OO,000,000 to place
the United States on an adequate war
footing with force of 100000 under
arms, military men here estimate. This,
1t was said, would be conservative
budget when the tremendous cost Of
raising and equipping such an army
and properly augmenting the navy Is
added to the heavy expenses of war
government.
Adopts Strong Policy.
There is every evidence that this
government is going forward with a
"strong and aggressive policy" accord
ing to one Of the members who sat at
the cabinet meeting.
"You need not worry about where he
is standing on this matter. This Is no
time for pacifism and no one need
doubt the presidents fOrceful posi-
tion," said another cabinet member aft
er the session. ~
His opinion was supported by others
of the presidents advisory council
when they left-the meeting. On eyis
dence supplied by these advisers-the
White House continues silent--the gov
ernment Is going TO meet Germany's
war aggression with war next week.
Not only is state of war now gen
orally admitted, but there Is mani
fest determination by those In the
councils of the president to wage a
strong, determined campaign that will
leave no doubt before the world that
the United States today Is prepared to
face any challenge to her rights, per-
sonal and property.
Will Be "Forcible" Enough.
The correspondent told his inform
ant that there had been some doubt In
number of minds for several days
that the president was to act forcibly.
The members reply was:
81 will tell you this: President
Roosevelt gathered his facts quickly
and acted quickly and that was the
end of 1t. President Wilson has al-
ways gathered his facts slowly and has
been skeptical In the meantime, but
you can always rely on him. You can
entirely rely on him In the present
situation"
The president has practically COM
pleted his "war message" to be deliv-
cred to the forthcoming congress.
The tentative draft was discussed in
detail by the cabinet.
II met with unanimous approval.
HolIweg's Speech Discussed.
No cabinet member would say spe,
officially what the president would
recommend, but the intlmation was
carried generally that congress will
be asked by the president to declare
state of war exists despite this gov
ernment's efforts along opposite lines
and to prepare To meet acts of aggres
sion by Germany In such manner thai
u lasting peace may be brought abOu
, and soon.
Taking for granted, from the speecl
of the German chancellor, that Ger
, many will not abandon her submarln,
campaign of ruthlessness, officials gen
orally have given up hope that an nc
tml clash with Germany can b,
, averted.
Cabinet members took TO the meet
Ing reports on preparations to put tn
!, country In state of preparedness.
viii Aid the Navy.
Secretary Baker said that the earl
graduation of the upper classes u
West Point was under consideration
u but had not been determined upon.
{ Secretary Redneld said everythln
was in readiness for turning the shin
and crews of the coast and geodetl
survey over to the navy departmer
u for war purposes. Preliminary plan
, have also been made for having IN
U navy take over direction of wlreles
( plants.
Secretary Wilson said that satlsfn,
tory progress was being made In plar
for mobilization of labor resources.
II Members of the cabinet who are al,
u members of the council Of national d
c fense reported that everything poss
u BILE is being done to coordinate all
IL the resources of the nation for the 90
ernment In war.
President Wilson now has befol
q him recommendation of his prlnclp
n cabinet advisers and In general wa
% has heard the sentiment Of the countr
a. The preponderOnce of opinion fo
s warded to the White House is for
Is declaration that state of war exls
D. between the United States and q,
many.