The Washington herald., 1917-02-04
greet BREAK Speech
With Wild ACCLAIM
Stirring Scenes Mark Presidents Mo
mentous Address to Congress.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

to the address of the President. His
declaration of determination to protect
American interests was greeted with the
widest OF cheering His policy state
ments received the most emphatic ap-
proval from nearly every one present.
There was none of the division of senti-
ment that has reached to greet him on
his visits to Congress. When he announc-
ed his intention, IL it should become
necessary, again to address Congress the
Republicans led in the applause which
swept across the chamber like the rattle
If artillery.
The address was short and It required
less than fifteen minutes to deliver.
President Bowed Down.
Bowed with the weight of his momen-
tous decision. and worn with days and
nights of anxious deliberation, the Presi-
dent came to the Capitol AS he was
hurried through the crowded corridors
by his escort of Secret Service men, he
was plainly agitated and nervous. He
paused for a brief greeting to the group
| of grave-faced and earnest Senators who
received him at the office of Speaker
Clark, and taking his place among them,
made his way. with bowed head, to the
House chamber. AS he walked he nerv-
ously fumbled the tiny typewriter
sheets on which he carried his history
making announcement.
AZ a wave of applause swept the
crowded House chamber at his entrance
the President Strengthened up, and with
| head erect strode vigorously to the
| clerks stand. With a smile he greeted
Speaker Clark and Vice President Mar
shall at the Speakers desk, and then
turned to the big audience that sat in
solemn silence. Not a whisper broke the
| oppressive silence as he began his ad.
| dress in a clear, low voice that carried
] to every corner Of the big chamber.
When his speech was concluded the
President turned nervously. and biddins
| farewell to the Vice President and
Clark walked rapidly from the room
The last words of the President.
speech were the signal for final out.
burst of applause such as the House
chamber has seldom witnessed. Demo
Gratis and Republicans, on the floor, toin.
ed with the crowded galleries in a dem.
onstration. For several minutes the
House was the scene of a shouting roar,
ing mob, all partisan and personal feel.
ing lost in a wave of patriotic fervor
The President smiled sadly as the out.
burst came to his ears on the way ou,
of the chamber.
The following committees met the Pres.
ident on his arrival:
Senate: Stone, Kern, Simmons, Gal
linger and wadsworth.
House: Kitchin, Fitzgerald, Flood ant
Cooper, of Wisconsin.
Throughout the Presidents address, tht
diplomatic gallery, crowded more thar
1t has ever been before, sat in engrosset
attention. On the very first row was
| Ambassador Jusserand, OF Franco HI
sat with his elbow resting on tho QUITE,
edge OF the railing, his hand cupped be-
hind his ear, straining to get every syl
liable "a they fell slowly from the Presi
dents lips.
LATINA Present.
Practically all OF the South Am.rican
| representatives were there.
Mrs. Wilson, on the FIRST row of the
Presidential gallery. watched the Presi.
dent closely throughout At frequent in.
tervals she raised a pair of opera glasses
to her eyes in order to even more closely
| scruttnize him.
The Senate quietly returned to its side
OF the Capitol and resumed consideration
OF the agricultural bill. Few Senators,
however. participated In the debate. Most
OF them gathered in groups to discuss
the Presidents message.
As II to emphasize the unity Of the
Senate behind the President, Senator