Evening star., 1917-03-29
PRESIDENT MAY Be
ADVISED TO DELAY
HIS WAR ADDRESS
Some Administration Officials
Think He Should Await
House Organization.
BUSY WITH CONFERENCES
ON PREPAREDNESS STEPS
All Executive Departments Working
at Top Speed Getting Ready
for War,

President Wilson's advisers, Il
was learned today, may urge him
not to address Congress TUESDAY.
as it has generally been supposed
he would, in connection with the
plan to declare that a state of war
exists between Germany and the
United States. as the result OF
German atrocities against Ameri-
can lives and shipping at sea.
May Await Organization.
There is ground for believing today
that the President may wait to address
Congress until the House of Repre-
sentatives has organized, even IL the
wait should mean a delay Of two or
three days in acquainting the country
through Congress with the ideas of tho
administration In the international
crisis.
There have been cases, notably one
during the Pierce administration. when
the presidential address was sent to
Congress in advance of the organiza-
ton of that body. 1t was presented to
Congress several days after its receipt.
House Complexion in Doubt. =
But there still remains today some
doubt as to the complexion of the COM
ing organization of the House. This ap-
plies not only to republican and demo-
cratic political divisions. but to pacifist
and anti-Germany divisions as well. There
are hundred new members of the House
of Representatives. The attitude of all
the United States with Germany is not
known s2~
There is no question IN administra-
tion circles but that when the voting
begins on any resolution SUPPORTED by
President Wilson in regard to German
| relations such resolution will be
passed, quickly, in an American patri-
otic way. but some of the Presidents
advisers believe no good political pur-
pose would be served If the President
should deliver his address before the
organization of the House. because
some of the pacifists In the House
might take strategic advantage of its
contents, whatever they may be, to at
tempt to delay the organization of the
House.
Would Hasten Organization.
If the House. it is argued. has nothing
before it but the question of its organiza-
ton its members can concentrate on that.
and as they will know that the President
is waiting to address them, and that the
people of the whole country are waiting
| to hear what he has to say through Con-
gress. it is argued that the organization
will be hurried: completed. in fact, in
record time.
This is merely the view of some of the
Presidents advisers The President him
self NAV conclude to speak to the coun-
try through Congress at the earliest pos
sible minute after Congress assemblies
Monday
President Wilson continued today his
conferences at the White House with
ca binet officers and other officials OF
the government. One of these con-
ferenceS was with Secretary Baker or
the War Department. and this after
noon the President is comforting with
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the
military affairs committee of the Sem
ate, who is an advocate of universal
military training.
Conflicting Views on Question.
The military training bill will come
up. it is expected. at the extraordinary
session of Congress. There are con-
fiicting views among public men as to
whether the bill should be enacted at
this time. One point Of view is that
in case OF war with Germany it will De
easier 10 raise army by calling for
volunteers than it would be to raise u
lighting force by means of the military
training act. although, of course. both
steps could be taken.
In the meanwhile, measures of mill
tary preparedness are going forward,
with all of the executive departments
working at full speed, 1t has been
learned definitely that the government
has no knowledge of any development
in the relations between Germany and
the United States which would alter the
situation. In other words, If Germany
contemplates any sort Of peace move,
as has been rumored. or has considered
abandoning submarine ruthlessness, or
if any other nation has a step in mind
designed to alter the present interna-
tional status. the government Is with
out information on the subject.
Data on German Intrigue.
The government has. however, much
information concerning German in
trigue in this and other countries.
which, up to the present. 1t has not
thought it wise to make public. There !
is more than a possibility that Presi-
dent Wilson will have something to say
on this subject in his address to Con. !
gress.
Col f. NJ. House. the Presidents per-
sonal friend and adviser. returned to
New York last night. after a number
of conferences at the White House.
1t is presumed that the President dis /
cussed with Col. House and that he has
discussed with members Of his cabinet
such recent suggestions as the possible
assistance by the United States of tho
allies with money in the form of loans
or credits the sending of army To-
France. etc, but it is generally believed
that these questions are collateral ones.
such as should be taken up after Con- !
gress decides how to recognize that y
state of war exists between Germany and
the United States.
House Likely to Act First.
The resolution for congressional ac-
tion to comply with the Presidents =
endatiOnS proba bly will be con-