The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-21
DEMOCRACY
from Page one.)

CONTINUED from Page one)
a state of war existing, many officials
believe that Germany may increase
her warlike operations against the
United States.
Altho 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 wei as
neutrals, it is recognized that Nhe
Hague treaties have been so openly
disregarded during the war that no
compliance with them may be ex-
pected with any confidence BEFORE
The Hague conventions there was
ample precedent for beginning of hos
tilit1es without formal war declara-
tons. In the war with Mexico. Gen
eral Taylor's forces were over the Rlo
Grande and two battles had been
fought before a formal declaration OF
war was made. Japan struck Russia
before the formal declaration OF war
mad reached the Russian capital, altho
one day previously the japanese am
bassador had notified the Russian
foreign office that Japan reserved no
erty of action in protecting her inter-
ests. The precedents of history show
that the great majority of the world 5
conflicts have been begun before for
NAL declaration of war was made.
War Arises in Three Ways.
IA declaration of war.
"A proclamation or manifesto de-
! claring that state of war exists.
3-Thru the commission OF hostile
acts of force.
| One authority in law in describing
hostilities without declaration says,
! .'acts of force by way of reprisals or
during a pacific blockade or during
an intervention might be- forcibly re-
sisted hostilities breaking out in this
way
i President Wilson's action today was
quickly followed by predictions at the
i ca pital that congress speedily would
declare state of war existing. Chair
man Flood of the house foreign al
fairs committee said he expected con-
gress would quickly pass resolution
| declaring that a state of war exists
| and endorsing the presidents course.
| Congress Expected to Act Quickly.
| Congress will make whatever APP
preparations are necessary to enable
the president to carry forward the
war plans quickly as possible" said
Mr.. Flood.
| Senator Poindexter, Republican, of
Washington said today Congress will
! pass quickly a law authorizing a linn
tied war on German submarines.
| 1t became known to day that yes
terday's cabinet meeting discussing
what active steps the United States
should take after a declaration of war
is declared, considered opening of
American ports to warships of the
| entente allies, the opening of vast
! credits to the allies for their supplies.
and cooperating action with the allied
| fleets in clearing the submarines out
of the shipping lanes, and guarding
| transports to Europe. One of the
measures now under consideration by
the federal shipping board is the
/ building of large standardized fleet
of small wood cargo steamers to carry
supplies thru the submarine zone.
Consider Sending Troops Abroad.
The question of participation of an
American army on the European bat
tlefields was touched upon, it is UNI
! derstood one of the possibilities of the
future but not to be considered as a
prospective step now.
a resolution to open all American
ports to the allied warships was in
troduced in the last session by Senator
salisbury, president pro tenn of the
senate and a member of the foreign
relations committee. 1t was sent to
that committee but not discussed al
| the time.
To Reintroduce Universal Training Bill
Chairman Chamberlain, of the SEN
ate military affairs committee who
was "a White House caller today sale
he would re-introduce the universe
military training bill as soon as con-
greSS conveneS. In the meantime he
will confer with Secretary Baker over
the form of the measure. Senator
Chamberlain did not know whether q
call for volunteers was likely, but
thought that congress would be ready
to take any steps deemed necessary
by the president.