Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-04-02

NJ washington. a pIt -ts5A4 ~ F-SS as
sembled at noon today for session
generally agreed to as the most mo-
mentous in the history Of the republic.
President Wilson. ready with his
address which ii is believed viii ask
that a state of war already exists be-
tween the United States and Ger
many waited only for the orgRniza-
ton Of the house of representatives.
Democratic house leaders got word
from the White house to hurry the or
ganization as much as possible. All
plans had been made on the expeeta-
ton that the president would speak o.
morrow. but the leaders promised TO
do all they could to meet his wish to
speak today.
Favor State OF War.
Congress assembled with q majority
openly in favor Of declaration Of
state OF war, if not actually a deClara-
ti0n OF war
Beset on one side with large deIega-
lions of paCiists praying for peace and
besieged on the other by large num-
bers Of patriotic pilgrims" who de-
mand the country's entrance into the
war, congress waited to hear the presi-
dent outline the long history of Ger
man aggression, against American
lives and rights and the predatory Yio-
lence of her submarines.
Administration officials consider
Germany has been making war on the
United States for some time A large
majority ia congress takes the same
view. The minority is divided between
those who think state Of armed neu-
traEty lis sufficient for the present and
the very few who openly favor peace
aI any price. nm
Scene IL colorful.
The capitol was arrayed in a war
spirit as congress assembled. The pa
eifists delegations bearing white bands
on their sleeves or white streamers
across their breasts, paraded the side
walks in numbers. filed the .ouse and
senate galleries and made calls on
their congressman.
The patriotic pilgrims We're hard to
distinguish among thousands Of cfti-
zens who went about the DAYS work
wearing American Tags
The national COl0rs duttered and rip
Piled from buildings. automobiles and
almost every point of vantage The
street car companies placed them On
their cars every traffic policemanfs
.go-go" sign had flag duttering FROM
Lts peak. Tie capital was wave of
color.
Prays for Patriotism.
The house opened with Clerk South
Frimbsa presiding.
The chaplain prayed for patriotism
Diplomacy has failed" he prayed
Moral suasiou has failed Appeals
10 reason and justice have been swept
aside
we abhor war and love peace. bur
i war has been or shall be forced
upon as, we pray that tie hear@ of
every American citizen may throb
with patriotic feeling and that
united people may rally around our
president to hold mp his hand in every
measure deemed necessary to protect
The lives of American citizens and
iat guard our inheritance
Nearly the entire senate was pres
emit when Vice President Marshall
called for order After the Invoca-
ion the presidents proclamation was
read
Mentions congress Program.
The senate chaplain also referred
10 the programs confronting congress.
Amid the confusion and violence
1f the world today we cannot know
he things that may shortly come 10
pass" he prayed. Lead us o. God,
through the darkness until the day
lawns and shadows flee away Grant
rs courage TO defend the truth At
his critical time in the history o. our
country lead these, Thy servants. ~
plain path and inspire them with
ofty principles.
Tho senate after 10 minutes re-
.essed to await organization of the
Continued on Page Elevenl