Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-18

held up was that of Col. Carl Reich
mann, to be a brigadier general. Ac-
tion was blocked until the December
session because 1t was charged he ut
tered pro-German sentiments.
An unprecedented feature of the
session was the reception Of the spe-
cial missions sent to the United States
by the allied governments, and the
special representatives of Great Brit
ain, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia and
Japan addressed both houses. Invi-
tations of the British and French gov
ernments to have the United States
send congressional mission across
the Atlantic to see war conditions and
cooperate with the interparliamentary
congress were rejected.
important Measures Passed.
Following is a list Of the most Inn
pOrtant measures passed by congress:
Resolution declaring a state of war
exists between the imperial German
government and the government and
the people of the United States and
making provision to prosecute the
same.
On April 2 the resolution for war
against Germany was introduced In
the house and on April 6, or four days
after the assembling of congress, the
president attached his signature to the
measure. No delay was involved in
the passage OF this resolution, perhaps
the most important ever offered either
in this or any other congress.
General deficiency appropriation act,
approprlating $163, ,4OO.52, of which
S1O0,000,000 was for the national Sc
curity and defense and for each and
every purpose connected with the
war.
Act authorizing an issue of bonds to
meet expenditures for the national Sc
curity and defense and for the pur-
post of assisting In the prosecution of
the war and to extend credit to for
eign governments and for other pur-
poses. This act appropriated $3,007,-
O63,945.46 for establishing credits in
the United States for foreign govern
ments by purchase of bonds of our al
lies and expenses incident to prepara-
ton and issue of bonds and certifi-
Gates; authorizes the Issue Of bonds
amounting to $5,063,945, ,46O, Of which
$3,OO0,000,0O0 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments,
$2,0O0,000000 to meet domestic ex-
pendltures, and $63 ,945, ,460 to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au-
thorizes $2O0O,0OOOOO of one year GER
titicates of an Indebtedness tempo
rarily to provide revenue.
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shipman for each senator, representa-
tive and delegate in congress.
Act appropriating $273, ,046, ,332 so
for the support of the army for the
fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the president to in
crease temporarily the military estab-
lishment of the United States. This
act authorized q selective draft Of
1,00,000,000 men and contains other i'm
portant legislative features pertain
ing to the army.
Resolution authorizing the president
to take over for the United States any
vessel owned In whole or in part by
any corporation, citizen or subject of
States may be at war.
Act to increase temporarily the com
missioned and warrant and enlisted
strength of the navy and Marine corps
from $1,000 to 10000 men, in the
first instance, and from 17,4O0 to 30
600, in the second.
Act appropriating $1,344 4,S96.1S for
the support of the military academy
for the fiscal year 1918 and for other
purposes.
Largest Single Grant In History.
Act to amend an act entitled "An
Act to Regulate Commerce" as amend
ed, in respect of car service, and for
other purposes.
Act amending the war risk insur-
ance act and appropriating $45,15000O
to insure vessels and their cargoes and
expenses connected herewith.
Act appropriating SAT 1853, ,92S.77 for
the sundry civil expenses of the gov
ernment for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
and territories and the District of Co.
Iumbia of rifles and other property for
the equipment of organization of home
guards.
Act appropriating $3,2S1 ,094, ,541 80
for the military and naval establish
ments on account of the war expenses.
Up to time this was the largest ap-
preparation act known to this or any
other country. Among other things 1t
appropriated $405, 100000 for an emer-
gency shipping fund with which to be-
gin construction of the greatest mer-
chant fleet the world has ever known.
Act to punish acts of interference
with foreign relations, the neutrality
and the foreign commerce of the Unit
ed States, to punish espionage and
better enforce the criminal laws Of
the United States.