The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-05
Upper House. After Day Of Hot
Debate, Is Nearly Unanimous
In Support Of President
WILLIAMS SCATHINCLY
ARRAIGNS LA FOLLETTL.
Norris, Gronna, Lane, La Fol-
lette, Stone and VardamanI
Vote Against War Resolu.
ton

BY Z. r. SARTWELL,
International News Service
Staff Correspondent. .
Washington, April with
but six dissenting votes the
senate of the United States to-
night gave its formal approval
to the declaration that a state
of war now exists between the
United States and the imperial
German government. The reso-
luton, passed by a vote Of 81
to 6, after a day and evening Of
caustic bitter discussion, will.
be taken up by the house Of
representatives tomorrow, and
by Friday the full power Of the
government will be behind the
president in his determination
to meet by force Of arms the
war which the German govern
ment has forced upon this
country. The senate, true tots
traditions, acted with dignity
and calmness, but the debate
which proceeded the adoption
of the resolution was the most
virulent the upper house Of
congress has known since the
days Of the War Between the
States. The six pacifists who
voted against the resolution
were outspoken in their. views,
and they provoked bitter out
breaks Of criticism from the
great bulk Of senators, who de-
q united and patriotic
America in support of Ameri-
can rights at sea.
After the bitter beiligerent debate
was over. and the last patriotic speech
had been made. the senate. under the
eyes of crowded galleries. sat In
hush Of silence TO answer the fateftiJx
roll call. Slowly the clerk read the
long list, and gravely and solemnI1s
came the answering chorus of Ayes
The first no" sounded sadly ~
Gronna. the farmer-senator from
North BnSota. follower of LII Faoftett6s
cast his vote for peace. A sigh swepk
the crowded chamber as La Folietto
himself barked a hoarse mo- With
almost a sob, Norris. of NebranhA.
voted AGAINST tho hot r.{fHSi
send the United States into the wcrIA
struggle. Then came three DemO-
cratic yotes--Lane. of Oregon: Stone.
OF Missouri. and Vardaman of Mis-
sissippi-the last voicing his dloap-
prevail in shout that swept the
chamber Eighty-two senators ware
recorded for the resolution. and the
eight absentees, their colleagues an-s
nounced. all would have voted for
the measure had they been present..
TEXT OF RESOLUTION
DECLARING STATE OF WAN
The war resolution as 1t passed We
as follows:
Whereas the imperial German gny-
eminent has committed repeated acts
of war against the government md 4
the people of the United States 0fss
America; therefore, be 1t T4 -sa
Resolved by the senate and nou1o
of representatives, in congress assGIn~
bled That the state of war between
the United States and the Imperial
German government. which has been
thrust upon the United States. II her4~,
by formally declared. and the preof-s
dent be. and he Is hereby. authort164
and directed 10 employ the entire
naval and military forces OF tho
United States and the resources AZ 4
the government to carry on war
against the imperial German goverur
ment. and TO bring the conflict "a A55g
successful termination. all the ~ sd
sources of the country are herOt8
pledged by the congress OF the Unite4
States
The crowded senate chamber was ~
inspiring sight as the aif-day debAsN
lasted into the night. The gay EoWuM88
of hundreds OF women in the jarunae&
galleries, the solemn. but at times My
orously emphatic senators on the A00x#
and the throng of members Of t1MH
house who crowded the rear OF k1z
chamber made UP n history Masking nN&
sembIage. Time after time the o1MM
was .forcd to halt the proceedings M q
warn the galleries that the rUIe6 ~
senate forbade applause. But the u&#
triotic speeches were too much for M
enthusiasm of the crowd and each eM&f#
burst Of senatorial eIoQuencS hgoQM%<&
y fresh outbreak Of disorder lSSl
As the debate drew to : clcoeI
Rotary Of state Lansiag csns