The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-27
ASKS TO ARM SHIPS
Continued from First PageD

today. that ne considered he alrady
had implied authority 70 act and might
do So without sanction Of Congress
Mr. Wilson. himself however said he
preferred moi 10 act upon implications
and did not desire 10 h. left without
specific authority and no Congress To
which 20 turn. All these things point
toward and extra session. although a
way out may develop at the last mo-
ment.
The Loconia Sinking.
Although President Wilson told
Congress he was not acting because
OF the long feared covert act" news
of the destruction OF the Cunard liner
I.aconia, with Americans aboard. WAS
received here as he was entering the
doors of the capitol. and was passed
from mouth to mouth through Con
Cress while he was speaking. Lack
ing details. its seriousness could not
be estimated, but ii WAS apparent
every where that il gave weight to
upon body of grave. silent lcgiSla'
tors, assembled before him in 4 som
bre moment of American history
weighing the declarations which may
lead the United States to var.
Rights Of Peace.
But the President made It clear
that America was asking Ia exercise
none but III" rights Of peace; that nc
was not proposing nor contemplating
war. He thinking. he said. OF Tho
right Of life itself, the rights OF hu'
mainly without which there is no
Observation-Disclosures deeper and more
fundamental than merely the rights
of Americans.
NO course of my choosing nor OF
theirs" said the President, will lead
10 war. War can come only by inc
wilrul acts OF aggrcsSions OF others.
impressive Scene.
Standing at the clerks desk IN inc
hall Of The house. calm. grave. speak
ing earnestly in the attitude now be,
come familiar, the President delivered
his address while CongnSS sat IN Il
tense, respectful silence, fully I'M
pressed with the sohernesS OF the oC'
raSion. No cheers and applause iuch
AS have burst out before, punCtualpu
T;s Sentences. Bv common consent
the. members refrained from demon
stration, as if in respect TO the dignity
and fatefuncSs Of the moment. There
were vigorous mods Of approval from
Democrats and Republicans who have
been urging a forward course: silence
and indications Of reserved thought
from those opposed.
Cheers at the Close.
But at the conclusion of the adj
dress when the President spoke OF
the Fundamental rights on which are
based the structure Of family, state
and liberty, and said, Il cannot
imagine any man with American prin
ciples at his heart. heSitating to De
fend these things" the cheers broke
; forth and reSounded through the
chamber.
Views at Variance.
Whatever might have been the opln
ions of some Of those who dlssented
from The speakers views. 1t was plain
that they were touched by his words
At once the wheels OF tho Congress
sional machinery began turning. The
pacifist element took stock Of the war
making possibilities OF the authority
the President requested; Republicans,
reluctant 10 leave the next steps to
the President without Congress close
BY to take a hand. considered means
of forcing an extra session, while Dem
ocrats who support the President set
about doing what he asked.
Bill introduced.
Secretary McAdoo conferred with the
leaders who will have 10 do with au-