The Washington herald., 1917-12-05
Forceful, Vigorous Message
Frequently Interrupted
BY Hearty Applause.
TALLY OF HUN ALLY'S
0FFENSES RECOUNTED
Senator La Toilette and Rep
resentative Moore Re-
main Seated.

1" ioiCeiul ana vigorous mes
sage to Congress. that was punC-
tuated frequently by hearty out
bursts of patriotic applause, de-
void OF party flavor, President
Wilson recommended yesterday an
immediate declaration of war
against Austria-Hungary.
Both the warmth of his rcccp-
ton by the joint session and the
demonstration from the galleries
at his appearance sttestcd that the
Chief Executive will have the
whole-hearted support of the leg
lslatIve branch. and hardly had he
left the Capitol after branding
Austria as Nassa1 OF Germany
than the machinery was set in mo-
ton for what is certain TO be a
declaration OF war within a fort
night in conformity with HIS
wishes.
Message a Masterpiece
Among some members Of the sen-
ate and the House belief was eX-
pressed that. the President did not
/ go the full distance and declare
war against Turkey and Bulgaria.
] as loyal an administration man as
Senator King sharing this view-but
| the preponderanoe Of opinion was that
Tor Characteristic fairness. patience
and further reiteration OF Americas
pupose in the war, the document will
rank as a Wilson masterpiece.
Bulgaria and Turkey he Classed
J. as tools Of Germany
But" he continued. they are
mere tools and do not yet stand in
the direct path of our necessary ac-
Ambassadors. members OF the su-
preme Court, members OF the Cab-
met and the crowded rows Of citi-
| applause.
La FOIIette Not Moved.
Throughout the reading of the mes
sage Senator La Toilette sat stoicsl-
| ly in his seat 10 front Of the minority
desk and on two casions when the
! ringing remarks of the President
brought the majority Of the members
to their feet in a noisy demonstra-
| ton, he, with Representative J. Hamp-
ton Moore and other strong parti-
| sans. remaine6 in their seats and
gave no visible expression Of their
| sentiments,
Probably more eyes were focused
OH the Senator from Wisconsin than
on the Chief Executive himself. when
the latter was pouring out his dis
pleasure on the course Of the paCif-
ists and the captious critics OF the
administration war policy.
They may safely be left to strut
their uiSasy hour and be forgotten"
he said as the galleries Numbered
applause
The Foreign Relations Committee OF
the Senate will call a meeting tomor-
row morning TO consider the situa-
tion. OF the seventeen members only
two were absent yesterday. They are
Fall. Of New Mexico. and Thomas. of
Colorado. both Of whom are ILL., The
Senate adjourned until Friday. by
which time the committee will be able
TO report.
The committee, according to opin-
ions expressed yesterday, probably is
unanimous for a declaration against
Austria. But some reluctance is eN-
pressed toward including Turkey and
Bulgaria until the members decide
among themselves what was the
Presidents reason for not making a
sweeping declaration against all OF
lGermany's allies.
: CommIttees Get Busy.
The Foreign Affairs Committee Of the
House also started action at once.
Chairman Flood will introduce a res
olution today calling for a declaration
, against Austria. This will be referred
, to his committee. which will meet to-
morrow. AS on the Senate committee.
there are members who are in doubt
as to the Presidents stand with re-
spect TO the present need Of declaring
against Turkey and Bulgaria.
For Sweeping Action.
Many Senators are In favor OF q
sweeping declaration against all ot
Germany's allies. For instance. PreSi-
dent Wilson had no sooner finished
his address than Senator Key Pitt
man. of Nevada. acting for Senator
William H. King. Of Utah, introduced
a joint resolution asking that Con-
gress declare the existence of a state
Of war with Austria, Turkey and Bull
garia.
Senator King is strongly pro-Ameri-
, can and anti-German in every fiber,
. He was active in exposing the Bern
storfI $4,000 slush fund In Congress
and ever since has been vehement in
detestation OF everything German.
There are mary others like him.
President Wilson's message is re-
garded in diplomatic and oficial
! circles as timed at the psychological
+ moment Et comes at s.-enrs-, ,wnsi
Russia is torn to 9ec6s; when ItaI,
is pressed to keep he German horde
t from overrunning her great in
MARQUIS Of Lsnsd Ene was crying
that ~ was time TO nake peace alon1
outlined.
1t Is a war messs ana declare,