Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-28
WAR DECLARATION
IN SOME FORM IS
PROBABLE REQUEST
Presidents '0pen Mind" Said
to Apply Only to Shaping
of Resolution.
ACTS OF WAR BY GERMANY
HELD TO BE ESTABLISHED
Administration Going as Far as the
Law Permits in Preparing for
Hostilities.


Hostilities.
Indications grew stronger to
day that President Wilson will
ask Congress next Tueday to de
clare that a state of war exists be-
tween Germany and the United
States.
These indications are the result
of reports reaching Washington
this morning from many sections
of the country in regard to the
statement of Senator Hitchcock OF
Nebraska yesterday, to the effect
that the chief executive still had
an open mind" concerning the
German situation.
"open" as to Details.
The reports detail a belief in some
sections of the country that the state
of open mind" attributed to President
Wilson represents a lessening OF ten
sion in Washington as to the interna-
tional situation.
Administration officials, however. to-
day expressed the opinion that while
President Wilson's mind is still open as
to the details Of the resolution he will
ask Congress to pass. IT is not open on
the main issue of having Congress and
the people officially recognize that a
state of war exists between Germany
and the United States.
These are the opinions of officials No
one pretends to speak for the President
in such a grave issue as that which
now faces the country. No one pre-
sumes to expound policy for him. But
the march Of events brings to the
presidsnts n advisers the realisation
must take. sooner or later. official recog-
milton of the fact that Germany is
making war on American lives and
American shipping, and many OF his
advisers believe that the time to recog-
nize that fact, and to act upon II, has
come at last.
Col. House Is Here.
Col. E. NJ. House, the Presidents per-
sonal friend and adviser. has arrived in
Washington and is guest at the
White House for a few days. There is
no doubt that the President is going
over the situation as to the details of
the resolution to be asked of Congress
with Col House, as he did with the
members of his cabinet. at two-hour
meeting yesterday afternoon. Further
preparedness measures are also under
consideration. at the Navy Department
and at the War Department, and legis-
lation for a censorship, as well as the
prevention of espionage, is being
whipped into shape. so as to be ready
at the opening OF Congress next Mon
day.
Secretary Daniels had a long conference
with the President today.
In connection with the subject of new
preparedness measures, aside from
arms and armament, it became known
today that administration officials may
soon take up the question of the ac-
tivities of some of the pacifist organi-
cations of the country. Language used
in some of this propaganda, one admin
istration official said today, verges
closely upon the border of treason. and
would so be regarded, in case actual
war with Germany begins. II IS eX-
pected that an investigation OF the
will be made.
Wisconsin Germans Loyal.
ments of today was a conference Sem
ator Husting of Wisconsin had with
President Wilson at the white House.
Senator Husting told the President. Ii
is understood. that the pro-Germanisnl
and the pacifcism which have existed
to a large extent in Wisconsin. largely
because of the German population IN
that state. are rapidly disappearing.
He informed the President. 1t is under
stood, that a number of loyalty meet
ings have been taking place in Mil
waukee and other German centers in
Wisconsin. with the result that thou
So nds of Germans are manffesting their
support of the United tSates govern
tion where Wisconsin will stand in the
present international situation. Sem
ator HuSting remarked.
The senator told the President. 1t is
that since the publication
of the Zimmerman intrigue, IN which
it was shown that Germany tried to
embroil the United States. Mexico and
Japan, the residents of Wisconsin have
to large extent abandoned party lines
and racial ties in favor of President
Wilson's administration of the ma
tional government, representing the
whole American people.
Consideration Given Program. :.
Congressional leaders today gave in-
formal consideration to the legislative
program to meet the national emergency.
but 1t was emphasized that definite steps
to that end would not be taken until
after President Wilson delivers his ad-
dress to Congress soon after it convenes
in extraordinary session next Monday.
Congressional leaders are counting on
having to deal with nothing but meas
ures relating to the international crisis
during the special session. Spokesmen
for temperance and prohibition organic
ions have declared their intention OF
not pressing for action on any anti
Iiouor Hesitation, and although the fed
sraI woman suffrage amendment will be
introduced, there appears to be httlo
nope for it.
Meantime, steps to put the nation in 4
state of readiness to meet any eventu-
aIity went ahead actively. More than
r.. 900 national guardsmen were under
,rders Yesterday to remain in the fed .
,ral service for police duty at indus
rial plants and other property in their +,
-espectiye states. Altogether, about
d. 600 guardsmen have now been called
,ut for that purpose.
Four Additional Regiments.
Four additional regiments Of the Ma.
.lonal Guard were called iutA the fed