The Washington herald., 1917-04-01
FINISHES
'lWAR" MESSAGE
Only Minor Changes Needed.
House Not to Delay
Organization.

President Wilson last night was pre-
pared to lay his war message before Con-
gress. just as soon as Congress can be
organized to receive It
The Presidents review Of German az
gressions and violations OF American
rights was completed last night, with the
exception Of minor alterations which may
be made before IL is delivered. Congres-
sional leaders were told that the crisis
before the country demands that Con-
gress organize and make ready for seri-
Gus work Immediately after IL convenes
on Monday. They were warned TO side
track partisan controversy and clear the
way for a real war session
The President will take his war mes
sage to Congress at the earliest possible
the Sixty-fdth Congress Will be organized
and ready for work within a few hours
after the opening gavels fall in the Sen
ate and House. The Senate Is already
organized, having completed all prelimi-
naries at the special session which met
March 8
The way was cleared last night for
speedy organization on the House. The
House Republicans in caucus, agreed to
present a partisan House ticket headed
by Republican Leader James r Mann for
Speaker. after at least three OF the House
Republicans had refused to be bound by
the caucus action. The factional feeling
displayed in the caucus made IL clear that
the Democrats will have no trouble re-
electing Speaker Champ Clark. and that
they probably will be able TO completely
control the organization Of the House
Offices and the House committees
Message La Secret.
The message which the President will
lay before the Congress in Joint session
next week. was shrouded in secrecy last
night 1t will be sent TO the Public
Printer on Monday to be typed, and IL
will not be made public until the Presi-
dent steps to the clerks desk in the
House to begin the history-making state
ment. The war spirit was clearly ap-
parent under the business-like activity
that absorbed Washington last night
however, and II was considered a fore
gone conclusion that the PreSidsnf's
speech viii result in a legislative declara-
ton that state OF war exists between
the United States and Germany.
The State Department believed that
such declaration might be unnecessary.
careful analysis Of the speech on Ger
man-American relations made before the
German Reichstag by Foreign Minister
Zimmerman, convinced Washington Of
hcisls thai Germany is prepared to recog-
nize that state OF war between the
two countries has existed since the
United States dismissed German Am
bassador Won Bernstorn The statements
Of the German foreign minister was ac-
cepted as making II clear that Germany
has been convinced that war with the
United States could not be avoided since
the resumption OF ruthless submarine
warfare was declared on February L
War Work speeded,
The President and his advisers yes
forts to prepare the United States for
the impending struggle. and they re-
doubled their efforts to frame a pro-
gram of war legislation which will be
ready for action by Congress just as
soon as the representatives Of the peo-
pie decide to recognize the existence
of state OF war. Secretary OF War
Baker and his military stan were in
conference throughout the day on
plans for augmenting the land defense
forces Of the country to meet the
threatened war. and Secretary OF the
Navy Daniels rushed his department on
estimates for appropriations that will
be necessary IL the navy is to be made
ready for the conflict
1t was stated that lust as soon ss
the President lays his conclusions as
to the international situation before
Congress the war-mRking departments
will be ready to submit to the Con-
gressional committees a complete pro-
gram OF legislation for immediate ac-
ton