The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-08
Congress Passes Resolution
With London Only Voice
in Opposition.
MISS RANKIN CALLS
ALL WARS FUTILE"
Montana Representative in
With Majority Favor
ing Action.

the United States and Austria Hun
gary was formally declared today.
Congress- with one dissenting vote In
the house, adopted and President Will
son approved a resolution declaring
existence of state of war between
the Imperial and royal AustrO- Hun
garian government and the govern
ment and people of the United States"
authorizing the president to employ
the nations armed forces and pledg-
ing its resources to victory.
The resolution, the response of con-
gress to the Presidents request in his
address Tuesday is similar to that
passed April 6. declaring war with Ger
many. 1t became effective at 5:O3 p.
m. today, when it was signed by the
executive without formality. An exec
utive proclamation will follow shortly.
London Opposes Resolution.
After but one hours debate the reso-
luton was unanimously adopted by
the senate with an affirmative vote of
a. 1t was approved by the house, 1853
to /. Representative London, the New
York Socialist, casting the only dis
senting vote. A few minutes later.
Vice President Marshall and Speaker
Clark had signed the document and
sent it to the White blouse. where
President Wilson attached his sigma
ture with Secretary Tumulty and As
sistant Secretary Forster as the only
witnesses.
In accord with President Wilson'S
suggestion, action In respect to Turkey
and Bulgaria, Germany's other allies,
was left to the future. Widespread de-
mand in congress for their inclusion
in the declaration was indicated in
both senate and house debate, but
when the roll calls came the presidents
advice was followed in a demonstration
of American unity and harmony. Rep
resentative London, Socialist of New
York, who cast the one negative vote
explained his opposition by stating that
he was pledged to that course by the
Socialist party. Caustic criticism OF
his position enlivened the house pro-
ceediJgs.
Miss Rankin Votes for War.
Explaining her vote for the resolu.
tion Representative Rankin of Mon
tana, who shed tears when voting
against the German declaration, sale
she still believed war stupid and fu
tile" and that it would be avoided
when the people, including women, in
stead of special privileged interests
controlled the world. She declared sh'
supported this resolution because i
was merely Il technicality in prosecut
ing war already declared.
:. Debate Surprisingly Brief.
pectedly brief. lasting but an hour il
the senate, and only two hours and 4
minutes in the house. Also, in shar
contrast to the discussion which pre-
ceded the war declaration against Ger
many last April, it was almost devoi
of spectacular features in spite Of tn
dramatic setting furnished by crOwde
galleries. Members apparently acte
in common accord to expedite actor
the few who spoke refraining from ex
tended discussion.
The senate acted first on the resolu
tion, presented by Chairman StOn
with the unanimous Endorsement {
the foreign relations committee 500
after the senate concluded routine bus
mess. After brief addresses by Sena
tors Stone Lodge Hitchcock, Owe
and Vardaman, the roll call followe'
When the document was transmltte
to the house, it was substituted thel
by unanimous consent for the mol
lengthy resolution reported by II
house foreign relations committee. aft
er conferences with state departlnel
officials. Senators Stone, who ha
charge of the resolution, GrOnna
North Dakota, Norris of Nebraska an
Vardaman Of Mississippi. who vote
against the German declaration tods
joined the majority. A fifth, form'
Senator Lane Of Oregon. has SIM
died.
La Toilette Does Not Vote.
Senator La Toilette, who also ol
posed war with Germany. was abse
when the roll call was taken and d
not vote. Later he addressed the SCI
ate, explaining that he did not he
the summons to vote. which was taxi
while he was at his office preparil
an amendment providing that I
United States should not observe 81
agreement of the entente allies to d
prive Austria of control Of any teri
tory held August /. 1914. The senat
said with inclusion of this amendme
n he would kave voted for the war res
luton, but against it without his
lated proposal.
Necessity for cooperative militia
action of the allies was the princil
reason advanced in debate for imn
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