Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-31
MESSAGE TO NUMERATE
INDICTMENTS OF
GERMAN ACTS
AWAIT QUICK ACTION
CONGRESS, IT Is BELIEVED, WILL
VOTE EhlSTENCE OF A "STATE
OF WAR WITH kAISER's EN-
PiRE ON FIRST BALLOT.

! Washington, March 3i.-President
Wilson will address Congress at the
earliest possible moment. He today
gent word to the House leaders that
ne is prepared to lay the entire Ger
man situation before jointh session
at any time after the extraordinary
session convenes His message, he
made it plain, is entire;y completed.
AS a result the leaders began ef-
forts to speed up as much as possible,
the organization of the House. 1t was
conceded that despite the closeness OF
the two parties there will be no tine
wasted in organizing, 1t seemed GER
tain, the leaders said, that the House
could be ready for business by after
noon Monday, while the Senate a.
ready is completely organized.
Positive assertions by Administra
tion leaders that the Presidents mess
sage will be positive in tone has doAe
much to clear away many obstructions
in the way Of organizing the Houss
Washington, March 31.-President
Wilson today completed a tentative
draft of his war address to Congress,
Minor changes probably will be made
in the phraseology, but the main pro-
visions will remain as written.
While the President has not even
told his cabinet members everything
tuat he will ask of Congress, members
Of his oliicial family today agreed that
there will be no evasion on the priu-
oipal points. The President, 1t was
said. will deal with only the main
source Of difficulty with Germany,
making no attempt to draw up gen.
eral indictment Of German methods.
That the President will ask for
declaration by Congress that state
of war exists between the United
States and Germany. brought on by
,iermany's acts Of aggression against
| American ships and American citizens
is no longer doubted. He was report
ed to have held up until the last de-
sire not to ask formally that congress
make such a declaration, but his lat
est review of the situation is said to
have convinced him that he should
fatty ask the declaration in as few
words as possible.
With the course Of the administra-
ton having been positively outlined,
officials OF the navy and war depart
ments and the council of national de.
fense today resumed general prepara.
tons for actual warfare.
Important new preparations were
studied by the council of national de-
fense These additional steps we're
agreed upon al yesterdays cabinet
meeting and will be executed immedl-
atey. Certain changes viii be brought
about which are expected to result ~
closer coordination Of all military
and naval resources and resulting in
greater efficiency,
President Wilson has about made
up his mind that his war address can
be delivered TO Congress on Tuesday.
Reports to the White House state that
there Will be little possibility oil an
extended fight over control OF the
House of Representatives and that
permanent organization can be expect
ed In time for the President to appear
before the ioint session OF the Senate
and nousc Tuesday,
The President looks for only minor
opposition to passage of measures
asked for the safety Of the nation,
While it is admitted that there has
been a strong sentiment among mem
bers of both houses to do nothing of a
warike nature except when II is abso-
lutely necessary,