Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-21
CONTINUED From First Pagel

against the United States could bring
the country into war. The President,
the cabinet. and all official Washington
now believe that such a moment has
come and that it has not been of this
country's choosing.
Plants offered U. $.
Henry Ford, the Detroit automobile
Manufacturers has offered. and the gov
ernment has accepted. his great plant
to be operated without profit in the
event of war. Charles NJ. Schwap has
announced that his Bethlehem plant,
now greater than Krupps. will be used
entirely for the government The u. S.
Steel Corporation and a hundred other
great industrial organizations have
been making plans for their participa-
tion. Yesterday the great copper m
terests notified the government that
they would supply the army and navy
with their vital supplies of copper at
about half the market price.
When the President addresses Con-
gress he is expected to go into the de-
tails of the situation very fully, par
ticularly as to how 1t affects the flu
ture of the United States.
While 1t In not known how much
money President Wilson may suggest
to Congress as necessary to meet the
situation leaders in the Senate Enve
held the view that not less than $780,
100000 should be granted mt once In
ease war Is declared. 1t is not probable
that legislation giving such sum
would meet with any opposition.
Look Forward to Peace
Quite aside from the task of protect
ing American lives and rights against
aggression on the high seas, the Presi-
dent has considered the broader ques-
tion of the preservation of civilization,
the distribution of world power after
the war. a natural arrangement OF
the worlds peoples in governments by
the consent of the governed and an
effective league of nations to protect
the world against another catclysm Of
war. The influence of the United
States in the conferences which will
make peace is everywhere admitted as
not to be overestimated.
When the word that the President
had summoned Congress went through
the allied embassies this morning it
was received with acclaim. There is
not 4 diplomat in the corps who does
not believe hat it means the entry of
the United States into the great war,
bringing it's wealth. its armed forces,
its great resources and its moral power
to the side of the entente allies in
what they feel is their battle for the
preservation of civilization and dem
ocracy.
Look to German Action
With the knowledge that the United
States is practically certain to declare
a state of wa reXisting, many officials
believe that Germany may begin war;
like operations against the United
States in a fuller sense.
Although The Hague conventions of
1907, to which both the United States
and Germany are signatories, declare
that hostilities shall not begin without
formal notice to belligerents as well as
neutrals. it is recognized that The
Hague treaties have been so openly
disregarded during the war in Europe
that no compliance with them may be
expected with any confidence. Before
The Hague conventions there was
ample precedent for beginning op-
erations without formal war declara-
tions. In the war with Mexico Cen
eral Taylor's forces were over the Rio
Grande and two battles had been
fought before a formal declaration of
war was made. Japan struck Russia
before the formal declaration of war
had reached the Russian capital, al
though one day previously the Japa-
nese ambassador had notified the Rus
sian foreign office that Japan reserved
liberty of action in protecting her in
terests.
The precedents of history show that
the great majority of the worlds con-
hicts have ben begun before formal
declarations of war were made.
Three Ways to War
According to authorities on inter-
law, a condition of war arises
in three ways:
IA declaration of war.
"A proclamation or manifesto de-
that state of war exists.
3-Through the commission of hos
tile acts of force.
One authority on international law
describing ways in which hostilities
may begin without formal declaration
says: Acts of force by way of re-
prisals or during a pacific blockade or
during an Intervention might be for
chilly resisted hostilities
breaking out in this way"
President Dilson's action to-day was
quickly followed by predictions at the
Capitol that Congress speedily would
declare a state of war existing,
Chairman Flood, of the House for
eign affairs committee, said he eX-
pected Congress would quickly pass a
resolution declaring that a state war
exists and endorsing the Presidents
course.
Senator Poindexter. Republican, of
Wa aShingtOn said to-day that 'Cnp