Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-06

ists between the United States and Germany, already passed by the sen ate, passed the house shortly after o'clock this morning by a vote of S7S to 50.
 President Wilson will sign the res olution as soon as Vice President Mar shall has attached his signature in the senate. It formally accepts the state of belllgerency forced by German az Eression and authorizes and directs and naval forces and all the resources of the nation to bring war against Germany to a successful termination.
 Without roll calls the house rejected Ill amendments, including proposals ko prohibit the sending of any troops overseas without congressional au- thority.
 Passage of the resolution followed seventeen hours of debate. There was no attempt to hlibuster.
 Washington, April 5.-The house de- bated the war resolution all Of today and far into the night. and although passage was assured before adjourn ment, the leaders predicted that a vote rould not be reached until early morn ing
 ceeded with an air, of unconditional acquiescence, scores of members mak- ing brieg speeches to put themselves on record as reluctantly accepting war aS the only course or honor.
 Unexpected Strength Of Minority.
 During the day the debate revealed m unexpected strength in the minority 0ppSS;sitnig the ot ora than 6osen votes against It gave place tonight to reports that the opposition might muster upwards of a hundred on the final roll call and supporters % ter Of the to vote in the negative probably would be more than fifty.
 kitehin Led Opposition.
 This surprising accession to the minority ranks was attributed to the efforts of Democratic Leader Kitchin, who took the floor and in a dramatic speech announced that he could not with a clear conscience vote for war. Supporters of the presidents course were not concerned over the defection, however. Sure of a great majority, layed only so that everyone might be heard,
 Shortly before midnight, after the debate had continued for more than Thirteen hours, those in charge of the resolution predicted that a vote would be taken soon after l o'clock.
 Time of Vote Uncertain.
 There was no certainty that it might not be hours later, however. Late to- night suggestion by Chairman Flood
 
 the debate be closed before midnight met with loud shouts of disa pproval and even the proposition of a consid- erable number of members opposed to voting on Good Friday was insufficient to get an agreement to vote by 12' o'clock.
 MT. Kitchin's opposition drew an immediate following from among the sroup who have opposed preparedness and armed neutrality and then many Of them who had sat silent and glum in the rear of the chamber throughout the day moved down in front and spoke against the resolution.
 Earnest Plea by Leader Mann.
 One of the most earnest speeches in behalf of the presidents course came from Republican Leader Mann, who declared Germany had deliberately af- fronted this country and that only war could save the national honor.
 Tried to Dissuade kitchin. Administration leaders until today had paid little attention to reports that Representative Kitchin would op- pose the resolution. Rather, looking to him as the man who would have to with him freely of the financial phase of the situation. Aroused by reports of his attitude, democratic leaders hastened to his office today to find that he had prepared in part a speech opposing the resolution. Fellow mem bers of the house and senators pleaded Vainly with him to abandon his plan Possible loss of the house leadership and bis forced exit from public life as well as the demands of patriotism were pointed out to him.
 Pacifists Jumped Into the Fight. Pacifsts, learning of the activity of administration supporters, uiclxly jumped into the fight. Their lines thinned by threatened Assertions ef some of their strongest members, tEAy saw in the winning of Kitchin a pos- ability of rallying the wavering rsp- resentatives back into camp. Repre- sentative Shackleford of Missouri and Representative Sherwood ef Ohio strongly urged Mir. Kitchin to make his speech. kitehin Announces His Opposition. Finally, shortly before 8 o'clock, after | almost continuous conferences for six l