The Mankato free press., 1917-03-23
WILSz HAS HURRIED
SESSION OF CONGRESS
BODIES WILL CONVENE APRIL
z, INSTEAD OF 18th
President Reached That Decision Today;
Action Urged BY Many Representa-
tIves; State Of War Between United
States and Germany Has Existed
Ever Since the Algonquin Was Sunk
On March 14th
UNITED Press Dispatch.I

4
| Washington, March 21.-President
Wilson today announced his decision
of calling congress into extra ses-
sion on April to decide on the
matter of declaring the existence of
state of war between the United
States and Germany. This action
has been urged by many members Of
congress. 1t is expected that the
president will urge congress to de-
clare that a state Of war has exist
ed between Germany and the Unit
ed States since the sinking of the
American steamer Algonquin on
March IA.
Pressure From Cabinet Members.
SlUnited Press Dispatch.l
Washington, March 21.-President
Wilson's decision to call congress to-
| gether for April was taken after
much pressure brought to bear on
members of congress and the nation
at large. The president has become
convinced that the news of the
sinking of the last three American
vessels to fall victims to German
| U-boats has caused popular de-
mand for more stringent measures
against Germany, that the mere
arming of merchant ships OF the
! United States. 1t is understood that
President Wilson will demand ,drac-
tic measures by congress. 1t is ex-
pected that the president will an
nounce that state of war has exist
! ed since March IA. .-@
Wants Military Training.
| Up to last night the decision of
the president to call congress into
, session aarlier than the date origi-
nally set. April 16, had not been
! reached The president, il is said,
will ask congress to- pass law
compulsory universal military train
ing. The purpose of this will be to
have the young men of the country
| in readiness, in case the country
should need their service.
The president determined on the
extra call on arising this morning.
He Immediately set to work to prs
pare the formal call Whether con-
gress will be asked to declare open
ly that state of war exists between
the United States and Germany has
not been determined. 1t is believed
that this will depend largely on the
action of the German U-boats after
the first armed American merchant
vessels venture into the ocean area
that the German government has
seen fit to bar off.
Purpose of Extra Session.
TAssociated Press Dispatch.1
Washington, March 21.-The pur-
pose Of the extra session is to take
action on the state of war which ad
mittedly exists between the United,
States and Germany Congress prob
ably will be asked TO declare that a
state of war had existed since some
recent date when German subma-
rines began conducting their most
commerce.
In his proclamation calling con-
gress, President Wilson states it is
for the purpose of receiving a COM
munication from him concerning
grave questions of national policy"
The proclamation does not state
specifically that the president consid-
ers that state of war exists, but
leaves the question for discussion in
his address and for action by congress.
Mind Made Up.
President Wilson's decision to call
congress earlier than the date first
fixed for an extra session, April is,
was announced early today. The
presidents mind was finally made
up as result Of yesterdays cabinet
meeting at which practically the
unanimous opinion was expressed that
while preparations to put the nation
,, in a full state Of armed neutrality
were going forward, congress, which
alone has the war making power,
should be summoned
In his address at the opening of
the extra session the president will
recite the oyertacts committed
against the United States by Germany
Sentiment in congress is under
, stood to be Overwhelmingly in favor
Of .he declaration that as a result OF
Germany's acts a state of war al
ready exists. The foremost overt
act which brought the president to
decision was the torredoing with
out warning of the American mer-
chantman vigilancia with the loss of
fifteen lives, some of whom were
Americans.
Conferences Being Held.
lUnited Press Dispatch.l
Washington. March 21.- Confer
ences were held today by President
Wilson with Secretary of War Baker
and Senator Chamberlain. head of the
senate committee on military affairs.
High officials expressed the opinion
that these conferences were with ref
'erence to preparedness to meet the
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