The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-22
ADMINISTRATION
TURNS DEAF EAR
TO COMPROM
Will Enter No Conference With
Germany Until She Abandons
Ruthless Campaign
CONGRESS MAY DECLARE
STATE OF WAR EXISTS
Navy Actively Preparing to Meet
Any Emergency That Extra
Session Imposes
(Associated Press. }

! (AsSOciated Press.)
Washington, March 22--Offers OF
mediation to prevent actual war be-
tween the United States and Germany
are expected among the next develop
ments.
Administration officials heard to-
day that European neutral was con-
templating such a plan and they frank
ly regarded it as another effort, backed
by Germany, to divide sentiment In
congress and embarrass the president.
No Proposals Considered.
1t was declared auth0ritatively to-
day that no proposals of mediation or
less Germany first abandOns the cam
paign Of ruthlessness.
All administration officials from the
president down, take the position that
the United States never has and does
not now desire war with Germany.
but is being forced into it to protect
the lives and rights OF its citizens
against unlawful aggression.
Unless Germany is prepared COM
pletely to change her position, 1t was
declared today offers of mediation and
discussion are useless. Germany, 1t
was recalled, never accepted former
Secretary Bryan's proposals to sign one
IT his peace, investigation treaties.
which would have bound the United
States TO inaction fol year while Z
commission investigated the situation.
Up to Congress-
Unless there is some great change In
the situation before April 2, 1t is e1-
pected the president will detail in his
address to the special session Of con-
gresS how Germany has il fact been
making war against the United States
by the ruthless operation OF her U-bOat,
and leave il to congress TO declare a
state of war existing and vote money
and men to protect the interests Of
the United States ..
1t is realized that before the Assem-.
pi.H Of Congress, there arc days preg-
nunt with tremendous importance to
the United States.
Congress probably will appropriate
half Il billion dollars for national de-
fcnse. and authorize the president to
Use armed forces OF the United States
against Germany.
Declaration of War.
Technically, tins would amount to 4
of war, but whether the
United States shall enter the war in
it's full SENSE will depend on the extent
70 which Germany continues the un-
lawful aggression Of her submarines.
In congressional circles today, the
suggestion was heard that the fight for
of the house be deferred
pending action by congress on the in
crisis. The senate already
has organized, and will be ready for
business upon assembling.
Steps to put the country in state Of
)repa redness went forward rapidly to-
lay. Most activity was in the navy,
where big preparations are being made
% meet the submarine menace. Because
If the uncertainty as to what part the
lrmy may take, plans for that arm of
he military service are not quite SO
leiinite, although steps to meet vary.
ng contingencies have been formulated.
plans for rendering financial assist
ance to the Entente Allies in case OF
war between the United States and
Germany, are under consideration in
by the federal reserve board
md other government officials.
Two courses are said to have been
One, the placing Of gen
eral credit to Entente governments
n this country by individual banks
% a greater extent than heretofore;
he other, official action by the United
States government in placing large
sum at the disposal Of the Entente.
Should the latter course be adopted,
t is thought probable the government
would raise the sum desired by bond
ssue for sum to be designated for
hat purpose.