Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-26

For full authority to
deal with the Ger
man situation" as outlined in his for
mer address.
President Wilson prepared his ad.
dress to Congress yesterday He
worked all morning on the history.
making document, declining to 90 to
church, and the larger part of the
afternoon. His decision to address
Congress was announced following an
extended conference with Senator
Stone, of Missouri, chairman OF the
Senate foreign relations committee.
The announcement that the Presi-
dent would address Congress this
afternoon was promptly flashed to
Senate and House leaders and within
ten minutes arrangements for Con-
gress to meet in Joint session at
o'clock had been made.
There was intense excitement in the
hall of Congress when it became
known that the hour for the Presi-
dent taking the national legislators
into his confidence had come. Little
groups talked excitingly. There had
been no advance indication as to what
action the. President would ask, but
it was generally supposed he planned
to seek authority to take any meas
ures necessary to protect American
lives and property on the high seas.
White House officials, In advance OF
the actual announcement by the
president in person, declared to out
line what might be expected They
refused to permit themselves to be
quoted regarding intentions.
But nothing was left to doubt in
the situation. They emphasized pri.
vately that the president did not want
war. That he still was determined
that this nation would refuse to &C.
cept the suggestion that Germany
plad gone mad;" but that he would
demand that congress place at his dis
posal every weapon to maintain Am
erican honor on the high seas and to
resume its commerce with the nations
Of Europe especially those who still
continue neutral
The president asked in addition to
the authority to act as he believes
best, sufficient sum of money made
available to purchase anything that
may be necessary for national de.
tense.
The question of allowing the Amer.
lean line to resume It's saiings has
greatly troubled the president and the
members of the cabinet
The navy has had plenty of guns
and experienced gunners, but the sug-
yestion has been made that they could
not be utilized without committing an
'eyert act' against Germany. Ger
man diplomatic sources thru neutral
vehicles have communicated to the
PRESIDENT the belief that any action
hat could be considered as aggressive
must have very evil effect with the
German people
Before announcement was made
that he would address congress today
President Wilson discussed the entire
legislation with Senator Stone, of Mis-
souri,, chairman of the committee on
'oreign relations. The president has
been inclined to defer his visit until
later in the week But Senator Stone
old him that the feeling among mem.
: bers of the Senate and House was that
hey should be taken entirely into
the confidence Cf the administration.
4 rhey were tired Of cropping In the
: dark, Is said to be the way the matter
< was expressed aud the president de
D cided to get busy and clear up mat
|. ters in doubt He at once put the fin
n ishing touches on his address and sent
r it to the government printing office so
that copies would be available about
a the time that he reached the capitol
j., Senator Stone, upon his return to
o the capitol declined to discuss his
h conference with the president
>. "The President will be here at | o.
/. clock and you'll know all about 1t
r, then" said Senator Stone
0 News of the presidents visit was
received gravely but calmly at the
# capitol after the tlrst fash OF an.
o nouneement It has been expected
If and although Senators and Represen.
IS tatives realized its momentous mean.
o ing the shock had been absorbed In