The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-27
Governments
WAR PROGRAM
is UNDER Way
forces of Nation Being In
creased by Enlistments at
Presidents Call.

creased by Enlistments at
Presidents Call.
Washington. March 27-Government
activities forecasting the declaration
by Congress next week that state
Of war exists between the United
States and Germany were Of mani
fold, character yesterday.
The President issued second can
to the National Guard forces OF
eighteen states, totalling approx
mately $4,000 men and making the
aggregate summoned in two days In
the netghborhood of $4,000.
He further directed that the en-
listed strength Of the Marine Corps
be Increased from 1881 to 17,400
men. or one-fifth of the maximum en-
listed strength Of the navy.
Aside from these undertakings and
those which are being generally ex-
ipanded in both army ana navy
branches of the government the two
Imost important developments con-
Icerned q conference between Secre-
ltary Of State Lansing with Democrat
10 members Of the Foreign Affairs
lCommittee Of the House Of Rrepre-
,sentatives and the publication of the
reply made by the Nnited States to
the invitation of Germany to reaffirm
the treaties Of 1899 and 1928 relating
TO the treatment during state of
war Of nationals residing in each
country.
The conference between the Secfe-
ltary of State and Chairman Flood and
Representative Harrison and Rags
dale was the first of a series sched-
uled for the present week, at which
specific features Of the war program
ito be submitted to Congress by the
President next week are to be con-
sidered. Among the measures dis
cdssed by the State Secretary and his
d legislative callers today that relating
Ito the form declaration which Con-
gress is expected to make was the
most important.
The conferees had under consider
alton yesterday afternoon the deqlara-
tons made by this government pre-
1iminary to the war with Great Brit
ain in 1872. that declaring state of
war existed with the Republic of Mex
leo in 848, and the last expression by
NongTeas that a state OF war existed
with Spain in 1898.
OF the three forms, the one en-
ployed by this government in pro-
claiming a state of war with Mexico
figured most conspicuously in yestsr,
days. conference. That declaration
was as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and
the House Of Representatives of
the United States Of America in
Congress assembled, that, for the
purpose of enabling the govern
nlent Of the United States to pros
:, ecute said war to a speedy and
successful determination, the
President be, and he is hereby
authorized to employ the militia,
naval and military force of the
United States, etc.
The act provided for an approprja-
ton of 10000, 900. While Secretary
Lansing did not finally say so, his
congressional callers came away with
bhc impression that the resolution to
be introduced into Congress next week
will closely follow the lines Of that
quoted above
Later in the week Secretary Lam
ring is to- confer with Republican
members OF the Foreign Relations
committee Of both houses. It is I'M
Merstood that the President will also
bodies utnd Will make known his
wishes regarding the legisla ton that
he desires
In writing the final chapter Of the
controversy with Germany over the
ancient treaties which the Kaiser's
government attempted to coer,e Ann
baasador Gerard to reaffirm, Secretary
lansing made it clear in his reply
transmitted through the Hwiss gov
eminent that the United States would
stand squarely behind its ambassador
The secretary said last night that it
had not been determined what steps
would he taken to formally aIbrogate
the treaties with Germany, but he in
/ tdmated that 1t was a subject for con-
gresionaa consideration
While there remain in Germany
approximately 1000 Americans, ac-
cording to the government estimate
no unusual concern is felt for their
safety, principally because of thS
presence in the United States Of a
great many more Germans.
Secretary Of War. Baker confirmed
the statement made in the w
the statement made regarding the at
t&tude Of the government toward Ger
man nationals who respect and obey
N0C 10 VS. VI LILO COuuLEy. I10 Sd1Q Lnat
the government would do all in its
its power to prevent the molestation
of citizens OF German origin and
those who remain German nationals II
they conducted themselves properly.
He refused to discuss the probable
ity. however, of the government es-
t8b1ishing internment camps for per-
sons. whether citizens or aliens, sus.
pected Of disloyality or of intent tc
injure this country. He intimated
that no steps had as yet been taken
to establish detention camps. The
matter, however, is known to be under
consideration.
The War Secretary expressed his
desire for the immediate mobilization
of industrial resources into specialized
groups, with central directing bodies
so that the government can deal with
those groups instead of with individ-
ua1s. The Secretary further declared
that the government did not plan to
commander any Industrial or mum
lions plants except in the case Of ex-