Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-04
UNITED STATES
IS At war WITH
GERMAN EMPIRE
Congress Will Make Formal
Recognition of Fact that
Hostilities Were Started
by the Kaiser.
PREPARATIONS ON FOR WAR
Cabinet and Council of Ma
tional Defense Begin Putting
Nation on War Footing.
GENERAL STAFF IS BUSY

Washington, April 3.-The United
States really is at war with the Ger
man empire today, awaiting only the
formal recognition of congress.
Every agency was moving to grid
the nation against the government
which President Wilson in his address
to congress characterized as a natural
foe to liberty.
The cabinet at war session was
called to discuss the extension of
credits to the nations already at war
against Germany; the raising of
money by taxation for use of the
United States in the war; the equip
ment Of the navy to the fullest state
of efficiency to cope with the subma-
rine menace and the raising of great
army on the principle of universal liza
bility to service-the first increment
of which is to be 100000 men.
The council of national defense and
its advisory committee in joint ses-
sion continued the work of mobiliza-
ton of the national resources to
bring the government of the German
empire to terms and end the war" as
the president expressed it.
The War department and the army
general staff was ready to present to
congress its plans for raising all army
just as soon as the legislative body
asks for it.
Resolution Goes Over.
Consideration of the war resolution
in the senate was forced over until
tomorrow by objections of Senator
LaFollette and in the house it was
delayed by lack of organization Of tbs
foreign affairs committee. 1t is ex-
pected to come up for action iii both
houses tomorrow. "A
Action by the senate within at least
two or three days was predicted today
even by senators opposing it. Some
of the "willful men" named by Presi-
dent Wilson declared there would be
no flibuster or protracted debate, al
though several want to speak at
length.
Amendments from republican sena-
tors especially to prevent formal
alliance with the entente or federal
loan to them are expected. Senator's
Borah, Kenyon, Penrose, Colt and
other republicans are particularly op-
posed to an alliance.
Leaders of both parties in the SEN
ate are. disposed to pass only appro-
priation and other war measures and
adjourn. Some leaders believC it pos
sible to adjourn by May IS, but some
republicans think June ] more prob
able.
Sharp Jabs for Autocracy.
Whether the German government
will permit publication in Germany of
President Wilson's address was a
question of great interest today at the
State department The sharp line
drawn by the president in his address
between the German people and the
autocracy which rules them is re-
garded as providing additional fuel for
the unrest in Germany which has been
recognized even by Chancellor Won
Bethmann-Hollweg.
The extent of the unrest and the
attitude of the authorities toward it is
expected to be shown in the way they
treat publication of the presidents ad-
dress.
Reports from Berlin that Count
Czernin, Austrian minister, had pro-
posed a conference of belligerents
without cessation of hostilities
caused surprise at the State depart
ment where it was said that no such
definite information had been re-
ceived. Count Czernin is known here
only to have said that the central
powers still considered open their (,
peace offer of December IL, but that |