Evening star., 1917-03-19
THINK LAST ATTACK
W|LLLEAD|| TO WAR. Al|IR||.
Senators Believe Relations
With Germany Have Reach !
ed Final Stage.
SOME ASK EARLY SESSION

The sinking of three more American
merchant vessels by German subma-
rines has brought about a situation
that eventually will lead to war. in the
opinion of senators remaining in Wash
ington. .
Nothing can be done toward declar-
ing war until Congress returns to
Washington. it was said. But some OF
the senators strongly advocated that
the President issue a call for a special
session of Congress. to begin almost
Immediately, instead of April 16, the
date now set for the special session. +
They also urged that further steps
be taken at this time to protect Amer
ican vessels and American citixenn- at
sea. They advocated the sending OF
United States naval vessels to clear n
path for them, by sinking submarines
II necessary. The senator's held that
merely to arm the merchant vessels
themselves and send them out upon the
seas was not sufficient.
Effect Of ARMED Neutrality
Other senators pointed out that tho
"armed neutrality" suggested by the
President looked to Just such con-
tingencies as have now occurred.
meaning, armed neutrality meant the
sinking of both American and Ger
man vessels without a declaration of
war Some of the senator's said they
saw no difference between such con-
dition of actual fighting and war itself
Senator Stone of Missouri. chairman
Of the foreign relations COMMITTEES said
that he had nothing to say regarding
of Congress before April 16 in view Of
the reports of the sinking OF American
vessels by submarines.
II do not discuss such matters until
official Information is at hand" said
Senator Stone. First reports are usu--
ally wrong and greatly exaggerated.
Senator Townsend Of Michigan said
that action has got to be taken soon.
err or later, but 1t does not seem to me
necessary to call a special session OF
Congress before April 16. We can act
then just as we can now, and perhaps
a little more coolly."
Thinks Extra Session Necessary.
Senator Borah Of Idaho. member
of the foreign relations committee.
said:
"If the situation is such as the facts
seem to indicate, in my judgment. Con-
gress should be called in extra session
next week. There IL nothing that can
be done until Congress meets, except
forward, the armirg of ships"
Senator McCumber Of North Dakota,
another member of the soreign rela-
tions committee, said:
This is most certainly an act OF war.
The only thing this government possi-
bly, can do is to reply in kind. This
surely is that overt act toward which
we have been looking. but still II 10
not much more overt than other acts
Of Germany in the past. The sinking
Of these American merchant vessels,
with their attendant loss of lives 10 An
act of war. and as such we must deal
with it," s ~ g1sis sl'es
Say Situation Is Grave.
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia de-
clared the situation to be very grave.
Senator Pomerene of Ohio. q demo-
cratic member Of the foreign relations
COMMITTEES, said: This H. very sertona
matter. Until, We have more. dennito
information I do not care to discuss IL
Senator Fletcher of Florida said: .~s
% sff there could be an overt act.' this
certainly has all the appearances OF one.
do not see how we can possibly SUBMIT
to q thing of this sort. The facts a. re-
ported indicate that Germany INTENDS 10
carry out her threat and sink all vessels,
regardless of their nationality or their
cargoes. found in the prescribed soma
Senator Poindexter OF washington said
that he was sorry the American mercnant-
men had not been armed 80 that they
could have. defended themselves. The
policy of inaction Of the administration.
he said, was responsible. The vessels
should have been armed long ago. he said
Wants Session Immediately.
There should be an order issued i'm
mediately directing. the American navy
to go to sea and round up all the Ger
man submarines 1t can. War hos been
thrust upon US. and there is but one
way to deal with war. That 10 to
make war aggressively."
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts, said
that If he were President he would is
sue an immediate call for Congress to
assemble and ask 1t to declare war on
Germany. IF the sinking of these
American vessels Is not an 'overt'nct
do not know what you could cali II"
he said.
'If the facts are as reported there can
be no possible excuse for the sinking
Of these three vessels" said Senator
Norris of Nebraska 1T is quite likely
that the order issued by the President
to arm the merchant vessels was taken
by Germany as a declaration OF war.
That order meant war and from war
there seems now no possible escape.
If war comes / shall heartily support