Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-29
ADMINISTRATION
Ftff3Ell''i5;;a' i;;a',iSs i':s;,s'a Way
Chiefly Concerned Now about
What Congress Will Do
with War Question.
PRESIDENT IS SILENT.
Relations with Germany VIII Remain
Unchanged until Legislative Body
Deanes Nations status.

Washington, March @.-1t was learned
definitely to-day that the American gov
eminent has no knowledge of any devel-
opmcnt likely to come before Congress
ccnvenes which would change the present
situation between tho United States and
Germany.
IL Germany cOnte.aplates any sort Of
peace move or has considered abandoning
submarine ruthlessness, or IL any other
nation has step in mind designed to
alter the present international status, the
government is without information on the
subject
Except for information concerning Ger
man plots against American interests, it
vas learned. the public in a general way
knows as much as the government about
everything directly affecting the present
crisis. Concerning German intrigues in
this and other countries. the government
has much information which up to the
present it has not thought it wise to make
public.
President Wilson to-day continued con-
ferences with his advisers preparatory to
writing the address he will deliver to
Congress next week.
The administration is said to be chiefly
concerned at present with the form of
action to be taken by Congress recog-
nizing that Germany Is making war on
the United States. and with preparedness
measures Aggressive steps, while being
carefully considered, are understood to
be looked upon as questions for deter
mination after Congress has defined the
status of the nation.
Whether suggestions that a huge loan
or gift of money to one or more of the
entente allies should be adopted, whether
ar a he nh
whether increased supplies of munitions
should be forwarded, are generally re-
garded as questions which would only
confuse the issue if pressed to decision
now.
The President has told no one just
what his message to Congress will in
clude. 1t is expected to review the
history of the negotiations with Ger
| many leading up to the present situa-
tion. and submit what he believes Con-
gress should do. The preponderance
| of opinion still is that Congress will
| adopt a resolution declaring that a
state of war exists.
The President conferred during the
day with Col. T.. NJ House. who came
here last night and returned to New
York tonight, and with Senator Hust-
| ing Of Wisconsin, just back from home.
Secretaries Lansing, Daniels and Baker
met to discuss activities common to
their departments, and at the depart
ment of labor there was conference
! to lay plans for the mobilization of the
labor forces of the country. Secretary
| Daniels. Attorney General Gregory and
Secretary McAdoo paid brief visits to
the White House.
on leaving the White House Senator
Husting said he could not give the
/ hut hot
| opinion was that Germany is making
war on the United States and that the
| United States should recognize that
| fact. He added that he believed the
! people Of the West were ready to sup
port the President fully
ARMED neutrality has not kept Ger
many from sinking our ships" Senator
Husting said. land therefore I think we
should go further. or course. l am
opposed to war II it can be avoided. but
we have no say in the matter. Germany
lis making war on us. l am not concerned
with details just now; just what steps
are best should be left to the determina-
ton of the board of strategy. whoever
that may be. Discussion of details at
present only causes dscord."
| President Wilson and practically every
member of his cabinet have received ihvi-
| tations within the last few days to ad-
dress patriotic meetings in various parts
of the country. but SO far have consist
emily refused to accept them.
They have done so partly because they
have been too busy here with actual
preparations. and partly because they do
not desire to be pla ced in the position of
making efforts to stir up the country.
They believe that the nation is fully
aware of the danger Of the present situa-
tion. and will respond readily to any rea-
sonable demand either for money or for
the men.