Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-04-03
MUST fight GERMANY
President. Wilson Appears Before
Both Houses of Congress Last
Night and Asks Immediate Action

and Germany.
While the news of the submarin-
ing of the steamer Aztec-the first
American armed ship to sail into
the war zone-was being told from
mouth to mouth in the Capitol, the
President, appearing before House
and Senate in joint session, asked
IA Congress to recognize and deal with
s Germany's warfare on America.
The President said war with Ger
many would involve practical CO.
operation with the Governments
now at war with Germany, including
liberal financial credits. He urged
the raising of 100000 men, chosen
upon the principle of universal La
bility to service"
The President made it clear that
no action was being taken against
f the Austrian Government and the
other nations allied with Germany.
Many Alexandrians were at the
Capitol.
The President reached the Capitol
about S:40 AS his big motor
swung around before the east front
of the big building two troops of
the Second Regular Cavalry on
guard, sabers glittering under the
arc lights, swept the plaza clear
while the hundreds of people
cheered. He was taken Immediately
to the Speakers room and then into
the House chamber, where the Sen
ators were just filing in.
Six members of the Supreme
Court, who had taken seats in front
of the Speakers stand, stood and
faced about.
The President entered amid deaf
euing cheers. Never had he been
greeted as he was last night. Both
sides joined with a will.
1t was very serious and quiet
audience Not until the President
declared "We will not choose the
path of submission" did his auditors
applaud. Those words drew shout
ing and handclapping. No attempt
was made by Speaker Clark to curb
it.
Scarcely had the sounds of this
demonstration died away when the
President declared that the Con-
eress should declare that state of
war existed, and a second demon
stration began. Representative
Caldwell, of New York, first rose to
his feet and yelled.
Every one of the Supreme Court
Judges stood. Chief Justice White
smiled and vigorously clapped his
hands, as did others of the Justices.
The declaration by the President
/ that sthis; country should help the
Allies until the end of the war also
was productive of cheers. BY far
the greatest. outburst, however,
came when the President declared
for, an army; of 100000 men selected
on a universal service basis. Chief
Justice White was one of those who
Joined most heartily in the hand
clapping at this point, which lasted
nearly minute.
Applause also greeted the decla-
ration for supplying needs Of the
Allies, and also the statement that
principles of peace and justice
should be vindicated against auto
cratic power.
eve have no quarrel with the
German people," was another re-
mark which received an enthusias'
tic reception. Mention of the recent
overthrow of the Russian monarchy
brought loud cheers.
Wave after wave of applause met
the Presidents reference to German
spies infesting the country and his
suggestion of a. partnership OF
democratic nations in the cause Of
peace.
Representative Flood, chairman
of the House foreign affairs com
mittee, introduced a joint resolution
when the President had finished
speaking, which, in effect, declare:
that state of war exists between
the imperial German government
and the government and people O
the United States. The resolutio,
makes provision to use the resour
ces of the country to bring the con
flict to successful termination
The resolution states:
"Whereas the recent acts of tt
imperial German government a
acts of war against the governme'
and people of the United States, r
solved by the Senate and House