Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-28

once all the annual increments desg-
mated by the last army bill. This
would give 275.o00 in all.
Call for volunteers
Have Congress pass universal serv-
ice measure which would probably be
so shaped as to furnish 500, 900 youths.
NO WAR DECLARATION
While the demand is for positive action
pN the President, II does not mean that the
congressman are demanding an actual dec
laration of war
Members believe that the United States
can best serve the interests of its people
py declaring, through resolution of Con-
gress. that a state of war exists entirely
through the acts of aggression of Ger
many herself
Almost every official in Washington who
mas studied the situation is agreed that
pefmanys acts have brought on a state
OF war. They point out that for the
United states to declare war and not recog-
hIze thls fact would be to surrender a
strategic advantage and to depart from
the time-honored traditions of the nation
because of this they say that II Is ex-
ttemely unlikely that the President will
suggest any additional step other than to
ACCEPT the fact that Germany is warning
on thls Government and to ask Congress
to authorize the necessary reprisals
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
congressional leaders believe that the
ADMINISTRATIONS tentative program COM
prises the following:
Securing a declaration from Com
gress that by reason Of her acts Ger
many has created a state of war be-
tween herself and the United States
ana Endorsement of action SO far taken
10 maintain armed neutrality" and TO
protect American interests
Authorization to use the army and
navy IN every necessary way" to con-
tnue protection of the Uni,ed States
ana to resist German aggression
Authorization OF from half bill
non to billion dollars for the national
defense.
Authorizing the creation of COM
pietely equipped secret service to cone
with the spy" system and nrovidine
for the proper punishment of all enc
mes or the country-alien or natural
lzed-who shall be engaged in espion-
age in this country.
Authorizing the establishment of n
censorship which can he extended to
TAKE IN newspapers and other Dus,lica-
tlohS ana the mails if necessary
Inc questions of financial assistance to
the Allies and matters of that nature arc
expected to be held back at the outset Tho
Administration is extremely anxinus tba,
at the outset at least there shall he as
much OF unanimity of purpose displaved
as possible. 1t is realized that certain iso-
!ated Senators and Representatives will
oppose legislation that shall indicate the
existence of state of war, but il is not be-
lleVed that there will be any extended fill
buster along such lines
MORE PEACE RUMORS
Although there is absolutely no official
information obtainable. the rumors of
underground peace movements continue to
he widely circulated here There apparently
Is nothing substantial to base them on. but
theN pass current in official and diplomatic
quarters and are most circumstantial in
character
one or these reports. and the one gener-
ally credited. is that Germany is moving as
strenuously as possible through Spanish
ana scandinavian circles. to arrange a
separate peace with Russia. To obtain this
end 1t Is ii believed here Germany would
make extremely wide concessions
Another report, not so well defined has
Germany sounding out neutrals-the United
states not included--on the subject of again
suggesting peace to both sets of belligerents
and definitely asking for a general armistice
and peace conference. At the Swedish lega-