Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-06
WAR RESOLUTION
APPEARS IN HOUSE
Declares Existence Of State of
War between U. s. and
Austria-H Hungary.
A JOINT RESOLUTION.
Measure introduced in Senate Friday
Sentiment Strong to List Turkey
and Bulgaria a. Enemies.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Congress cleared
the way to-day for prompt response to
President Wilson's call for a declaration
Of war with Austria Hungary.
A Joint resolution approved by the Presi-
dent and the state department declaring
existence Of state Of war between the
United States and the imperial and royal
Austro- ro-Hungarian government from to-
day at noon was introduced in the House
and unanimously approved by the House
foreign affairs committee. 1t will be re-
ported tomorrow for beginning of House
debate on Friday, with final action in the
Senate late this week or carry next week
probably.
Conforming to the Presidents recon-
mendations the resolution, which author
Ices and directs employment Of the ma
tons armed forces against Austria and
Pledges the country's resouces to victory,
APPLIES to Austria alone. Germanys other
allies. Turkey and Bulgaria arc not men,
toned.
copy was transmitted late to day
to the Senate foreign relations COM
mittee. which will consider it inform
ally Tomorrow morning. Chairman
stone said he expected the committee
to decide its course in time to expedite
report to the Senate when 1t recon-
venes Friday. but was uncertain when
Senate debate could begin. That will
be decided at to-morrow's committee
meeting. The Senate may on Friday
begin consideration simultaneously
with the House.
Although sentiment remains strong
in both branches of Congress to have
the war declaration extended to Tur-
key and Bulgaria. approval of the reso-
luton as 1t now stands is regarded as
virtually certain. Reasons given con-
hdentially to-day to Chairmen Stone
and Flood. and which probably will be
made public in debate, were regarded
as convincing.
Senator stone and Representative
Flood both conferred with Secretary
Lansing and It was understood to be
the secretary's conviction that no cir
cumstances yet warrants action against
Turkey and Bulgaria. Some officials
still are said to hope that German DOM
inatton OF her lesser tools yet may be
broken.
The arguments were so persuasive that
In the two hours deliberation to-day Of
the House foreign affairs COMMITTEES on
the Austrian war resolution only one
member. Representative Miller Of. Minne-
sofa. who recently returned from the
western European war theatre, voted for
his proposal to include Turkey and Bull
garia in the resolution. On the final vote
he Joined with all others present in ap-
proving the Austrian document.
The principal debate and strongest de-
mand for addition of Turkey and Bulgaria
to the nations formal foes. is expected
in the Senate One days debate is ex-
pected to suffice in the House, where
beginning Of consideration until Friday
was postponed only because many absent
members telegraphed to ask brief delay
80 they might arrive to vote Passage of
the resolution by an overwhelming vote
before adjournment of the House Friday
is expected.
Although Senate leaders hope it may be
possible to bring up the resolution for
Senate debate Friday. 1t is possible that it
will 60 over untnil Saturday and few
! leaders believe It possible to conclude de-
bate there In one day Some senators dis
| like to consider a measure while it is
pending before the House,