Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-02


Washington, April 2.-Congress met
m extraordinary session today to de-
!. eide the question Of war with Ger
/ many.
First caxne the struggle between the
republicans and democrats over organ
ixation OF the house. With that COM
4 pletsd congress will be ready to hear
the presidents message on the most
serious crisis that has confronted the
natjOn since the civil war.
Ratsdsts in both house and senate
|: :sfsre Ia be heard from but few be-
1evsd that opposition te tho president
NdhId ~ S3Sctivs. q asss
Dven Il the last minute tremendous
moral pressure for or against was
being exerted on members Of the cons
gress by their constituents. mainly thru
the medium OF kilograms, To these
were added personal appeals from pa
cifsts and anti-pacifsts.
Democrats to Control.
All signs early today pointed to a
I(rather speedy, democratic victory in the
house by the reelection of Champ
Clark as speaker over Representative
Mann, republican. and the resultant
dictation Of committees by democrats.
President Wilson's message was
written and his appearance before con-
{.Sress only awaited official notice that
(xthe house had effected organization.
The senate now Is organized and
EIready to do business.
President Wilson's address was sent
Ito the public printer early this morn
\ ling. Meanwhile the president went
Eolflng. He made no engagements for
|ithc day.
Ecardnsr Has War Declaration Ready.
Having already recited to congress in
kprevious addresses most Of the Incl
Il dents leading up to the present situa-
Etion, It . understood that the presi-
dent now will deal with Germanys
Facts broadly. referring particularly to
1.-THE present situation in the world and
deal with recommendations to place
the United States on a war footing.
A resolution to declare war between
1.-THE German empire and the United
States as prepared by Representative
EGardner. OF Massachusetts. says: WAR
Ebe and the same hereby is declared
1 EEnetween the German empire and the
United States OF America and the pres
Eident IS authorized and directed to use
the whole land and naval forces Of
Bthe United States against the German
empire, its subjects and dependencies"
The preamble sets out that the "tri-
umph of Germany would destroy the
+ liberty OF he world" that the grandeur
scf the United States would not per-
NIT it, share OF the burden Of war to
fbe borne by other nations" and that
sGSrmany has continued to destroy
american ships and American lives"
Most Momsntous Session.
a CONGRESS assembled at noon today
session generally agreed to as
lthe most nAomentous In the history Of
\ ths republic.
President Wilson, ready with his adj
sdfAss, which it is believed will ask that
'A state Of war already exists between
|stho United States and Germany,
waited only for the organization Of the
mouse sof representatives
Il Democratic house leaders had word
Il sOnI ss5OnI the " ssiiite HOUSE 10 hurry the
as much as possible. All
lIpjans are made and the expectation is
that the president will speak. The
4 Headers promised to do all they can to
SIuneet mis- wish to speak today.
Aatate Of War" Declaration Favored.
II Congress assembled with a majority
B|rpenly in favor Of declaration Of a
4Iltate Of war, If not actually declara-
IIsion Of war. "a
Beset on one side with large delega-
|ISion Of pacifists praying for peace and
|IDesleged on the other by many Of the
E!pAtriotic pilgrims' who demand the
l{sountry's entrance in the war, the
Icongress waited to hear the president
Sutllne the history of Germany's ag-
(Ereasi0ns against our lives and rights
~ the predatory violence Of her subs
Marines,
AlMintetration officials Consider
sany y making war op. The Unltsa