The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-04-02
CONGRESS CONVENEs TODAY

dent Will Address Congress as Soon
as House is Organized-WarL Legis-
lation Considered Foregone Con-
clusion !,
Washington Dispatch, April /.
Congress, called in extraordinary
session by President Wilson, will
meet tomorrow to determine the most
important issues before the legisla-
tive representatives of the people of
the United States since the Civil war;
1t is considered foregone conclus-
ion that it either will declare war
against Germany or declare that a
state of war exists because of Ger
many's aggressions on the high seas.
Presidents Message Ready /
President Wilson has completed the
I message he will deliver to Congress
and is ready to address a joint ses-
! sion as soon as he gets word that
, both houses have been organized, and
are ready for him.
Either before or directly after he
addresses Congress the President is
: expected to confer with the leaders
of both houses regarding the specif-
ic legislation desired by the admin
istration.
The War and Navy Departments
continued today their preliminary
preparedness measures, and are ready
with recommendations for further
strengthening the army and navy to
be submitted as soon as Congress de-
cides whether the nation is actually
to go to war with Germany.
Quick Organization Probable
=, Both houses meet at noon tomor-
row. The Senate, already organiz-
: ed, will be ready to transact business
: when the gavel falls, but in view of
l the fact that any war resolution is
expected to carry an appropriation it
is expected that action will Wait for
t the House. Democrats and Republi-
cans of the House have cleared the
, way for immediate effort to organize
q and the belief was general tonight
y that the Democrats would re-assume
5 control with Speaker Clark in the
u chair within a few hours after the
e session begins.
4. There is little doubt that a wal
n resolution will be passed by large
maiorities in both houses. There arr
n little groups of pacifists opposed tt
d. war except to resist invasion, wht
q any warlike move. There are othe
4
>, about what the United States shoul,
II do in the present situation but nom
ID is strong enough to prevent action O
;" to seriously impede its progress.
Little Opposition Expected
In the House there probably will b
oil no persistent opposition unless
comes from members who favor NOR
s. far-reaching action than the Presi
I'd dent recommends. The Senate ha
R, its new cloture rule to limit debat
n if small group there undertakes t
r. delay action.
e. Aside from the war resolution an
at the appropriations which probabl
. will accompany it, there is not muc
D. legislation now on the books ths
IS: leaders believe is necessary to ena'
ar. before next winter. The approprit
,e. ton measures which failed at TT
i'd last session, particularly the arm
I'd, bill, the amendment to the shippin
ce. act giving the government bros
20: powers over merchant shipping, SON
*: changes in the Federal Reserve a
th and legislation to curb spying a
80: among the things which probably w
RI be deemed essential to prosecute
of whatever course is determined u
9TH on. Additional revene legislation al
III bond issues beyond the authorizati'
es. in existence, to be carried in the w
zen resolution, will depend on how acti
o. the United States becomes in the We
the Universal Training Bill
Efforts are certain to be made
ard put through a universal militia
lir- training bill, even if President w
vas son does not endorse it. There W
,r,s be much opposition to it, particular
tlv if the belief gains currency that su
to legislation would pave the way
the sending of an expeditionary fol
to the European battlefields.
ors There has been much talk of bo
issue to provide a loan or credit
France Of from $500,0OO,O00 to S
ion 100000. Such proposal wo'
is receive strong support, but the
all might be enough opposition to f.
of vent immediate enactment of the n
Gus essary legislation.
n Floods of TeIegrams
lin Hundreds Of kilograms poured il
by the Capitol today bearing on
t. question of war legislation. Ma
law spoke against war and members
au- favor of quick decisive action att
lded buted the flood Of messages to
rtv- organized anti-war propaganda.
the Among the measures which will
fer introduced as soon as the Ho
the meets will be the general staff
,ave for compulsory military training
men between 19 and % years of ,
which Representative Kahn of c.
Meet fornia, ranking Republican on
1ers, Military committee, will submit:
oard Mr.. Kahn said today he belle
.ular there was an excellent prospect
two it's enactment. Compulsory train
!. the measures also probably will be int
this duced by Representative Caldwell
Geo. New York and others. Represe1
Quite tive Montague of Virginia Will
,day. troduce alternative bills for a 81, o
600 900 gift, or $500,O00, 900 gift
e500 600 600 loan to France in ret