Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-04-13
War Resolutions Signed.

The war resolution was signed by Presi-
dent Wilson at Iii O'Clock last Friday after
noon.
The House Of Representatives adopted
the war resolution by vote Of 373 to so
at 3:14 O'Clock last Friday morning.
The result Of the vote was a foreeone
conclusion when the roll call was begun.
The only question was how large the mega
tive vote would be- The opponents of the
war resolution predicted that as many as
one hundred would vote against it.
Quiet. thing well nigh unknown in the
House during roll call, prevailed while the
vote was taken. The tenseness Of the
situation as the members cast their votes
for war made itself felt on the floor Of the
House and In the galleries.
The climax of the Thursday afternoon
debate on the war resolution in the House
came when Majority Leader Kitchen spoke
against its passage. Speculation had been
rife about the stand he would take. Most
OF the morning he was in his Office con-
fenine with friends.
The President also signed proclamation
declaring a state Of war between the
United States and Germany. In the proc
lamation he called upon all officers OF the
United States to exercise their duties and
appealed to all American citizens 10 give
support TO all measures Of the govern
ment.
All the naval militia and naval reserves
were called to the colors with the Presi-
dents signing Of the war resolution.
By the signing Of the resolution the war
which Germany actually has been making
on the United States for many months is
recognized in official form. and the United
States thus announces to the world its
determination to take up what President
Wilson characterized in his address to
Congress as Germany's challenge 20 all the
World-her war against humanity.
The war resolution was signed at 12:14
O'Clock last Friday morning by Vice Presi-
dent Marshall. Speaker Clark had signed
it soon after it passed the House early
Friday morning. The next and final step
was President Wilson's signature. There
was no ceremony in the Senate attending
the Vice-President's signature. The pen
he used was preserved.
The Vice-President affixed his signature.
Thomas r. Marshall" beneath that Of
Champ Clark. and the resolution was ready
TO 60 to the White House II was waiting
for the President when he returned from a
short walk with Mrs. Wilson.
The President signed the resolution with
a pen handed to him by Mrs. Wilson, and
which he will preserve. The act was done
in the Executive Mansion. The President
then went to lunch and later to the cab-
net meeting.
The coast guard. with all its extensive
resources and equipment. automatically
passed into the navy Friday, as is pro-
vided by law in time Of war.
Immediately following the Presidents
action. the Secretary Of the Navy sent the
following telegram to every naval station
and feet commander Of the United States
Navy in all parts Of the world:
THE President has signed an act of
Congress which declares that the state Of
war exists between the United States and
Germany
The effect of that telegram is to author
ize the American officers to take action
against German vessels or German territory
within their jurisdiction.
The War Department also sent out mes
sages to all army posts in this country and
the territories advising the commanders
that state OF war exists between the
United States and Germany.
The United States will be aligned and
allied with the ten countries, democratic
in either form or spirit, comprising the
entente powers" which are engaged in a
death struggle with the forces Of autocracy,
as exemplified generally in the "quadruple
alliance" and specifically in the moving
spirit Of the entire world tragedy. the I'm
perial German Government. With no other
nation or government than Germany is the
United States now at war, however, the
resolution specifying no other opponent.
The text of the war resolution follows
Whereas the Imperial German Govern
ment has committed repeated acts Of war
against the government and the people Of
the United States Of America Therefore
be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled,
That the state Of war between the United
States and the Imperial German Govern
ment which has thus been thrust upon
the United States is hereby formally de-
clared and that the President be. and he
is hereby. authorized and directed to en-
ploy the entire naval and military forces
Of the United States and the resources of
the government to carry on war against
the Imperial German Government; and to
bring the conflict TO a successful termina-
ton all Of the resources Of the country are
hereby pledged by the Congress Of the
United States"
Allies Of the United States are the British
Empire. France, Russia. Belgium. Serbia,
Montenegro. Rumania, Portugal and Japan.
The allies Of our single opponent are Aus
tria-Hungary, Italy, Turkey and Bulgaria,
with Albania, in reality a victim Of the
conflict. as an unwilling additional co-bel-
ligerent.
viii Fight War On A Cash Basis.