Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-22

the opinion of the officials Of the
government at this time. II is the
opinion now.
Washington, March 22.-Congress-
men began mobilizing in Washington
for the War Congress" which will
convene on April End. A vast amount
of preliminary detail must be worked
out before the history making session
actually begins, and those who be.
gan arriving today promise to have
their time well taken up.
Speaker Champ Clark will reach
The city late tonight or tomorrow
morning Majority Leader Claude
itchin is expected about the same
time from his North Carolina home.
Considerable doubt exists as to the
whereabouts of James F. Mann, the
minority leader Mann and Rep. WI
lam B. Mckinley of Illinois. left for
the West Indies soon after the last
session closed Vigorous efforts were
1eing made today to locate them. 1t
is believed they will be home by April
End
The extreme gravity Of the situation
has precluded anything like bitter
fight for control of the next House. II
he Democrats can muster the strength
they will organize as usual. If the Re-
IL. tun n
o. But before any fight will be per-
mitted both sides will get together
and effect a compromise in which the
organizing party will make certain
large concessions to the other.
As the situation stands today the
opening Of the next House will see 214
democrats and PA Republicans. Five
so.called independents will hold the
balance of power Elections, how
ever, are to be held in the Fifteenth
New lork District and in the First
New Hampshire district.
Adding to the uncertainty Of the
situation is the serious Illness OF at
least half a dozen members OF the
next House. Rep. Lee. OF Georgia,
Democrat; Rep. Hill. Of Connecticut,
Republican Cooper, Of West Nir-
einia, a Republican, and Rep. Elect
Lee. of California, Democrat, are re-
ported in messages received here to
be seriously ILL., Other Represents
tiyes-elect in various parts Of the
country are reported i'll and their con.
dition is being watched closely.
Curiously enough, both sides are
claiming majority Of the five So
called independents. The Democrats
claim London, of New York, Socialist
Randall, of California, Prohibitionist;
/ Martin, of louisiana, Progressive
protectionist, and Schall, OF Minneso'
/ ia, a Progressive.
The Republicans claim Fuller Of
/ Massachusetts. and in addition claim
Sclall and Martin and Representative
Elect Martin, Of Pennsylvania. Two
hundred and eighteen will give either
side the power OF organization.
Expect Germany to Act.
Washington. March % An immedi'
ate declaration of war by Germany
against the United States woild
cause no surprise, officials said today
Such action easily could be predicatei
on the armng OF American merchant
ships and mobilization Of the navy 1t
would give German the strategic ad'
. vantage Of being able to launch any
sort of U.boat campaign desired
without waiting the ten days that the
United States must wait before con
gress can act to uphold the present
Officials state. however, that 1t IS
impossible to guess what Germany has
in mind at the present time. The Ger.
man censorship never was so absolute.
Not single confidential word has
reached this government from It's dip.
lomatic representatives in Scandina-
Wan countries. Holland or Switzerland,