The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-06
Reviewing The
Teuton Aggression

Washington, April 5.-Congress met
in extra session Monday to receive
he is expected to declare that a state
of war exists between the United
States and Germany; and to demand
that he be delegated complete powers,
as Commander-In-C Chief Of the land and
sea forces Of the country, to cope with
the situation.
This action marks the climax Of al
most three years effort on the Chief
Executive to peacefully force the pro
lection of lives and property Of Amer
lean citizens from the effects Of ruth
less German Submarine warfare.
The President is expected to inform
Congress that state Of war between
the United States and Germany has
existed ever since the sinking Of the
American steamer Algonquin March II.
Commercial, industrial and non-pow
err mobilization of our forces have made
great strides since the President sud
denly issued his call to the nation 5
legislative body ten days ago; and SO
definite has been the conviction that
aggressive war is to be waged upon
Germany they stand ready at this
moment, awaiting only official word
from Congress to go ahead.
Munition and shipbuilding plants are
prepared to serve the equipment for
the sea and land forces and the present
session Of Congress is expected to pass
a universal service measure.
Todav's historic situation resulted
directly from what Germany s repudi-
alton of her submarine pledges Of a
wear ago ard the resumption Of ruth
less submarine warfare in an attempt
to starve England into submission.
The first American ship to go down
commander following the German de-
cree of establishing q submarine block
ade zone around England, February l,
was the Housatonic. This ship was
sunk without warning on February 3.
This was followe dby the sinking Of the
Lyman NJ. Law on February IS, the
Algonquin on March - and the Vigil
amelia, City of Memphis and the Illinois
on March IS.
All these were American ships and
all Of them, with the exception Of the
City of Memphis, were sunk without
warning. The Captain, four Ameri
cans and four other nationalities are
missing from the City Of Memphis and
Is, including several Americans are
missing from the Vigilancia.
The big question that stares the
country in the face today is: What
will Congress DOE Probably never be-
fore in the history Of the United
ition congress. Democrats and repub
licans will have ga votes each in the
House. The balance Of power will be
in the hands of the five independents.
Schall, Progressive and Fuller, hide
pendents are expected to vote with the
republicans and London, socialist and
Randall, prohibitionist, with the demo
Gratis. Representative Martin OF Louis
lana, elected from democratic district
on high tariff progressive ticket real
ly holrs the whip hand in the House
organization. His vote may be the de-
Gliding one. And nobody knows how he
will cast it.
Representative jeanette Rankin Of
Montana, the first woman in Congress,
is presented and will vote On The war
questions.
The session beginning today was ex
pected to be the most momentons since
civil war, by reason Of the critical sit
uation which caused it's being and the
vital incidents, many unprecedented
which marked the interim between the
close Of the Sixty four Congress March
and the opening Of the new CON
gress today.