The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-21
UNITED Press

Washir rgton. March 21.--President
Wilson today decided to call Congress
into extra session April =. His action
was taken following pressure from his
cabinet, members of Congress. and the
country ut large. The decision was
reached only after he had been con-
vinced the sinking by Germany OF three
American freighters on the nigh seas
brought about a demand from this
country of more aggressive action than
has ut any time been taken against
the imperial government. Drastic
measures will be demanded tf Congress
by the president to protect American
commerce on the seas. Hets expected
rs announce that n state, OF war has ex-
listed between the two countries since
March ii. when the American freight
cr Algonquin was sunk.
Universal Service.
Up to last night the president had
not reached any decision. He strongly
leaned toward taking 10 further ag-
gressivc step than the rapid prepara-
ton for naval defense. The original
date set for the special session Of Con-
gress was April 16. The president is
expected when he addresses congress
to ask for some form Of universal ser
vice to be illaugurated ut once to pre-
pare the young men OF America for
proper and efficient service, should
they be called upon in case war is
declared.
Advances Date.
The presidents announcement OF his
drastic course of action was taken i'm.
mediately upon his arrival at his Of
flee this morning. He Immediately
prepared n proclamation, advancing the
date of the extra session and at 9:15
o'clock left the White House for the
golf links, despite the damp and dreary
weather. There is an overwhelming
sentiment III the Presidents Cabinet
and Congress that a state of war now
exists. There is a difference of Opin-
ion as Owlether the occasion demands
that the president ask Congress for
al actual declaration of war. There
are those of his advisers who think
this is not necessary now. His final
decision on the question depends large
ly upon what fate befallS the first AM
erican liner to venture into the danger
zone laid out by Germany.
May Call Militia.
High officials today expressed the
belief that President Wilson and Sec
retary Baker shortly may confer with
the war college heads and Senator
Chamberlain regarding the best form
of universal service to be urged be-
fore congress. There will be power
full congressional pressure brought to
bear to adopt such measures.
While the navy department heads
have been uncommunicative follow
ing the presidents call for an extra
session of congress, army officers be-
lieve that call for the mobilization
of the naval militia is not far off. In
fact, such call might precede a call
for the mobilization Of state troops.
Restores Rating.
President Wilson tocay issued an
executive order restoring to their for
mer civil service status all national
guard troops who as result of bor-
der service lost their rating, the de-.
partment of commerce announced to-
day. Several thousand men are af-
fected.
Singing Rebuke.
A stinging rebuke was given by
Secretary of Commerce Redfield to
members of = the Emergency Peace
Federation, which he declared consti-
tues IAN organization and a doctrine
which is directly promotive of a fed
eral tax on citizens and their prop
erty."
To Confer With Wilson.
Senator Chamberlain, chairman OF
the senate military affairs committee,
declared today that he will confer
with President Wilson before April
2, regarding universal training and
other universal preparedness meas
ures, among them an increased ord
nance in order to supply whatever
NAV be demanded of the land forces.
state Of War.
The international situation that IS
now confronting President Wilson
and his cabinet is parallel to that
which faced President Mckinley and
Continued on Page Three)