Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-21

today made his decision. He chose
April because he thought it would
be impossible for all members Of con-
gress to reach washington earlier.
To Recite Overt Acts.
In his address at the opening Of
the extra session, the president will
reoite tho overt acts committed
against the United States by Ger
many.
The foremost overt act which
was the torpedoing without warning
Of the American merchantmen Vigil
amelia, with the loss of fifteen lives,
some of them Americans. Sentiment
in congress is understood to be over
whelmingly in favor Of declaring that
as result of qermany's acts against
the United States, a state Of war al
ready exists.
Program Not Made Up.
The president has not made up his
program entirely for presentation to
congress, but probably will also dis
cuss universal military training. The
navy department is expected to call
for privately owned yachts and large
motor boats for service against SUBJ
marines. tentative contracts for such
craft already have been negotiated in
many cases. 49, Va;
Cabinet Urged Esifer Session.
1t is known that the president pre-
ferred waiting for the extra session
called for April 16, but several cabi-
net members went to the White
House, determined to urge strongly
on the president an immediate extra
session. which they believed was de-
manded by the country. Those cab
met members who have been classed
as pacifists or with pacifists leanings.
1t was said. offered no objection Of
weight.
Officials and diplomats have OPEN
" acknowledged that state Of war
between the United States and Ger
many has existed for some time, but
that the situation became most pro-
nounced last Sunday when three
American ships were destroyed.
Germany Conducting War.
Practically all the presidents clos
est advisers at once made up their
minds that Germany was actually
conducting war against the United
States and the situation must be met
promptly. The principal arguments
brought to bear against the United
States taking further steps toward
war were that practically all that
could be done to protect American
lives and ships at sea had been done
by tho arming Of merchant vessels,
and that the acknowledged state of
war between the two countries would
give Germany an opportunity to car
ry her submarine warfare to this side
Of the Atlantic.
This latter was somewhat Of a Sec
ondary consideration, because the
navy feels that 1t 10 prepared to meet
that feature.
1t also was argued that, having
kept the country out Of war 30 Tar.
the president would be reluctant to
enter it now. when there are indica-
tons Of developments in Europe
which Of themselves promise to has
ten the end Of the conflict.
Arguments Swept Aside. i.
All these arguments were swept
aside. however, at yesterdays cabinet
meeting, when, with an opinion de-
scribed by members a. most the near
ly unanimous .ever known in tho
presidents official family, it was de-
ctded that Germany's acts Of aggres-
sion against the United States on tho
seas. her ruthless destruction Of
American lives in contravention Of all
principles Of law and humanity had
ing made upon the United States ana
that there was nothing loft to do but
call congress to deal with the aues-
ton.
Germany Has Elected War.
President Wilson, whom he asked
congress for authority TO arm Amerf.
can merchantmen, declared he va
contemplating no stop that would
necessarily lead to war and that he
was not contemplating war itself.
Nothing ho said but War-like acts Of
another nation against the United
States could bring the country into
w1r. The president, his cabinet and
all official Washington now believe
that such q moment has come Ana
that It has not been Of this oountry's