Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-12-18
UNITED STATES
DECLARES WAR
ON AUSTRIA
Wilson Signs Resolution Passed
by Congress.
ONLY "No" BY SOCIALIST
Rep. London Votes Against Act-La
Toilette Absent During Voting
Stone Declai es Vienna 10 Linked
With Germany and War
Already Exists.

Washington, Dec. S.-The United
States is at war with the Austrian en-
pire.
The final act between America and
Germany's strongest ally was enacted
at o :O3 o'clock Friday afternoon when
PRESIDENT Wilson placed his signature
to the resolution passed by the senate
and house declaring the existence Of
a state of war between the United
States and Austria.
President Wilson's signature to the
resolution followed those of Vice Pres
ident Marshall, presiding officer of the
senate, and Champ Clark, speaker of
the house.
The resolution In the senate was
adopted by vote of "A to 0, Senator
La Toilette not voting, he having with
drawn just before the roll call was
started.
Senators Gronna of North Dakota,
Norris of Nebraska and Vardaman of
Mississippi, who voted against the
German war declaration, supported
the resolution. Senator La Toilette of
Wisconsin left during the speechmak-
ing, and did not cast his vote.
Some time after the voting was over
La Toilette returned to the senate
chamber and announced that he would
have voted against the Austrian war
declaration had he been present, I'M
less it had been amended to provide
that the United States would not be
party to any agreement to take any
territory held by Austria prior to
August !, 1914.
Denies EVadino Vote.
Senator La Toilette explained that
his absence at the voting was due to-
the fact that he had expected the de-
bate TO continue until late In the day,
and that he had gone to his office to
perfect an amendment when the res
olution was passed. He denied that
he had any intention Of absenting
himself from the chamber TO escape
voting.
Socialist Cast Negative Vote. -
The house, after considerable de-
bate, adopted the senate resolution by
a vote of 1863 to /, Representative
London, Socialist, of New York cast
ing the negative vote.
Chairman Stone of the senate for
eign relations committee presented the
resolution and moved Its immediate
adoption.
Besides the reasons that Austria is
Germany's active ally and as such, has
committed warlike acts against the
United States, Senator Stone declared
there was the further reason that mas
much as Italy, France and Belgium
comprised one battle front, American
troops might at any time be facing
Austrians.
Senator Stone made no reference to-
Turkish or Bulgarian relations.
Austria Linked to Germany.
''In this great world struggle" said
Senator Stone, call men know of the
intimate and apparently indissoluble
relations between the governments OF
Germany and Austria-Hungary. In
the progress of events 1t has become
manifest that the United States Is In
evitably as much at war with Austria
Hungary as with Germany. In the
circumstances 1t is impossible that am
icable relations between the two coun-
tries should be continued.
'In the prosecution Of the war Ger
man and Austro-Hungarian troops are
co-ordinated and cooperative.
Says War Already Exists.
"The United States is supporting
Italy as well as England and France,
and these countries in like manner are,
supporting the United States in the
war, they are all waging against the
imperial German government.
aside from acts of aggression and
offense committed by the Austro-Hun-
garian government against the United
States, which In itself the committee
declares to be sufficient cause Tor war,
1t is manifestly impossible that the
United States and Austria should be
at peace while Germany and the,
United States are at war.
1.-THE state of actual war already ex-
lists between Austria and the United
States. 1t is better for us and for the
world that this great fact should he
recognized and acted upon affirma-
lively and authoritatively. National
honor and national interests alike de.
mand that this government should as
sumo an attitude Of dignity, sincerity
and commanding firmness In its inter
national relations"
Lodge Scores Turkey.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts
scored the Turkish government and
declared that to secure unity Bulgaria
also should be recognized as a foe
Senator Lodge closed by declaring
the Austrian war declaration a "Just
and righteous STEP" and expressed
belief that the declarations against
Turkey and Bulgaria merely were
postponed.
Senator Hitchcock Of Nebraska Do
clared the action against Austria was
merely one Of policy, not principal
Cupid Makes Early Call.