The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-03-29
WILSON TO ASK
MILITARY POWER
FROM CONGRESS
Message to Request Declaration
of Estate of War;"
TO GUARD NATIONS RIGHTS
viii Ask Authority to Use Armed
Forces at Home and Abroad--Lan-
sing Says Expedition Of Troops
to France Is Considered.

Washington, March 27.-Administra-
ton leaders in congress were made ac-
quainted with the war program of the
president which will be submitted to
the senate and house in joint session,
probably April 3, the day after con-
gress meets.
In brief the program is:
The president will tell congress that
a state of war between this country
and Germany exists by the acts of
Germany.
The president will ask authority to
use armed forces of the United States
TO protect this countrys rights at home
and abroad.
The president will ask for bond is
sue to meet immediate needs.
The president, upon recommendation
of Secretary of War Baker, will urge
congress to pass Immediately law
requiring universal military training
in accordance with the plan of the
trmy general staff.
Congress to Act at Once, Belief.
AS soon as the president shall have
concluded his statement to congress
he house committee on foreign affairs
will be called into session by Chairman
Hlood to consider resolution declar-
ng existence Of state of war and
,lacing the military and naval forces
| # the United States at the disposal of
he president.
The resolution for bond issue will
'Ome from the ways and means COM
| mittee.
Chairman Flood and Representa-
ives Harrison Of Mississippi and
Sagsdale Of South Carolina, members
VI the committee on foreign affairs,
Conferred with Secretary Lansing.
They discussed the proposed censor
ship measure without reaching any de-
.ision as to its terms. Meantime the
voluntary censorship imposed by the
newspapers Is meeting general com
| nendatiOn.
Declaration Drawn.
A resolution declaring that a state
# war exists Is in process of conStruc
ion and will be ready for presenta
zion TO both houses Immediately after
he presidents message to congress
which, it was said, is practically com.
| )leted.
The message will review German
| iggreSSlOnS against American rights
md will conclude with the demands
| enumerated above.
The recognition that "a state Of war
exists" will not be formal declara
lion of hOstilities against Germany
1t will be merely a definition of q
condition. 1t lays the Onus of respon,
Sibility upon Germany.
Under the congressional definition
American armed ships will continue
to ply the war zones with authority
to fire on any submarine at sight
Naval vessels will cope with any U.
coat which attempts to operate on this
side of the Atlantic. ~..
Overseas Expedition Considered.
During a conference with the for,
aign affairs committeeman Secretary
Lansing Indicated one plan to aid the
allies is to help France finance the
war and another under consideration
involves sending military force to
| the French front.
| The presidents conclusions were
not made known definitely, and 1t was
said he had not finally determined
what to recommend in his message
| to congress.
Secretary Lansing made it clear the
plan which probably will be urged
most will be authorization Ivy congress
| of large bond issue, whose proceeds
would be devoted to the purchase OF
French bonds. What amount OF bonds
whether a billion dollars. more OF
less. Secretary Lansing suggested was
matter within the province of Sec.
rotary McAdoo. .
The committee was particularly
| anxious to learn what the government
| plans as TO sending an eXpeditiOnary
force to Europe. Secretary Lansing
suggested that might be determined
later.