Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-20
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EXTRA SESSION
TReuubIlcan A. . leased Wire1

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-There were
strong indications tonight that unless
some sensational development precipi-
tates immediate action, President Will
sons next step in the crisis with Ger
many will be postponed until a few
days before congress adjOurns for the
session, a week from next Sunday.
The belief still is prevalent in Of
ficial quarters and at the capitol that
the president intends to ask congress
for authority to protect Americans and
their ships from Illegal submarine at
tacks. and, as he is known to want no
extra session if it can be avoided, it
is regarded as certain that he will
address a joint meeting of the senate
and house before March A. 1t was stat
ed authoritatively again tonight, how
ever that nothing toward tnat end had
been done since the president visited
the capitol and discussed the subject
with senators Saturday evening.
Although recognizing the existence
of minority opposition in both houses
to a resolution which would give the
president authority to deal with any
emergency that might arise after ad-
jOurnment. administration leaders are
satisfied that if such power is asked
1t will be given. The minority conten-
tion is tnat the executive now has pow
er TO use the nations armed forces
short of war, and that if necessary,
the new congress could be called into
session quickly
Demands that some way be found
Cor relieving the congestion at Atlantic
ports resulting from the holding OF
American and other neutral ships in
port, are pouring in at the White House
~ = 4 M
disposition Of the administration how
ever, seems to be to await further de-
Velopment of Germany's policy. 1t is
freely admitted that American rights
are being violated and the government
defied and that at what the president
deems the proper time the United
States must assert itself.
Word came from the Spanish min :
lister at Berlin today that the American
prisoners of the prize ship YarroWdale
would be released shortly" The
United States will insist that having
been carried into Germany against
their will, the men must be given their
freedom in some neutral country from
which they may make their way home.
Those in charge of the work of pre-
pairing the nation for possible hostili-
ties, which has gone steadily forward
day and night since the severance of
dispOlatic relations, believe it now has
reached the stage where the country :
resources can be marsnaled quickly for
the public service if the need comes.
After two weeks of intensive prepar-
alton by the army and navy, an order
was issued today under which an i'm
mediate appraisement will be made
and the exact condition of the regular
fighting forces reported to the presi-
dent. There was no indication that
the move reflected any increased ap-
prehensiOn as 10 the imminence of
eventualities, but it was said some de-
tails of the military and naval organi-
cations remained in an unsatisfactory
state and the president was anxious
10 know just where further steps would
be necessary.
Night sessions of the house begin
ming tomorrow, were planned by the
democratic leaders today in order t.
get through necessary legislation be-
fore the sixty-fourth congress expires
a week from Saturday
The army appropriation will be uI
all day tomorrow and tomorrow night
according to present plans The mill
tary academy appropriation bill viii
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