The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-04

Washington. April 4.-Congress got
down to work on the war resolution
today with the prospect of remaining
In session continuously until 1t Is dis
posed of.
In the senate 1t was taken up at 10
o'clock by unanimous consent and with
administration leaders determined to
permit no other business to interfere
with it.
Senator La Toilette who yesterday
forced the resolution over until today,
was not in the chamber when Senator
Hitchcock got unanimous consent to
take 1t uD. Almost every other sena-
tor and many house members were
present when the debate began.
In an opening statement, Senator
Hitchcock. in charge Of the resolution.
said:
''The time for discussion has pass
ed. The president has already stated
the reasons which make this grave
step necessary. The resolution provides
for war against the imperial German
government. 1t places responsibility
for the war squarely upon the should
ers OF the German government, charg-
ed with repeated acts of war against
the United States. 1t is also unques-
tionably declaration of war.
u am impressed with the solemnity
Of the occasion. To me the prospect
Of war is dreadful. The enormous cost
the people must pay. the great in
crease in the cost of living. the
enormous burden of taxes the people
must bear and the awful sacrifice of
life that must follow sickens my heart.
I am sure many other senators feel as
I do"
I'VE want no more territory" said
Senator Hitchcock. I'VE will demand
no indemnity. We have no historic
Een0 70 nA& I'll
In this respect we differ from the other
countries already involved in this awful
struggle. There is pan-Slavism against
pan-Germanism. Italy wants back the
Trentino. France her lost provinces:
Great Britain has German commerce
and German colonies almost in her
grasp; Russia wants Constantinople.
and Germany. besides her place in the
sun. wants to dominate Europe.
I'VE Of all nations will spend our
treasure and our blood and ifice
our lives without the thought of possi-
bility of gain We are going to war
to vindicate our honor and independ-
ence as great nation and in defense
Of humanity. Such quarrel as we have
with Germany is not of our choosing.
1t was forced upon us, and we did
much to avoid 1t. For nearly three
years the president. congress and the
American people have hoped to avoid
IL. But one desperate act by the i'm
perial German government has follow
ed another. / do not mean to say
Germany has desired war with us. Il
do not believe that. But the imperial
German government has been desper-
ate. and has taken desperate chances"
American neutrality. the senator
said. had first been shocked by the in
vasion Of Belgium: then the sinking
Of the Lusitania almost caused war.
He said. however. he did not consider
that Germany had violated any pledges
she gave after the sinking of the
Lusitania because she had expressly
reserved the right to revoke that
pledge.
During Senator Hitchcocks speech
Senator La Toilette was absent most
of the time. comforting with Senator
Gronna and others who are expected
to oppose the resolution. Senator
Hitchcock said he had Hoped armed
neutrality would avert war.
Unfortunately the opposition of the
hlibuster against that bill. resulted In
word going out to the world that the
official branches of the government
were at loRgerheads." he said. The
result has been that our rights have
been more imposed upon than ever.
sunk. lives of American citizens have
been lost. Armed neutrality has pass
ed as an expedient against war.
Il have been bitterly opposed TO |
war, have used my influence to that
md. Even when / knew the people |
we're calling for war. and majority /
Df congress Overwhelmingly was for
Il, sought out the president and beg
ged him to remain longer, Il possible, /
under the policy OF armed neutrality /
Is an expedient for peace. But the i
president had information in his pos i
session which made 1t impossible.
'The country is ready and congress
Is ready. While the vote has not been
the decision has been made.
{ Is war"
Senator Hitchcock was followed by 1
Senator Swanson of Virginia who
aid: