The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-03-27
HI. DECLARE
Estate OF WAR
lcpFss CONVENES MONDA,
Iun IS EXPECTED TO VOTE
Iu1CE SUM FOR DEFENSE.
Y SEND ARMY TO
FIGHT IN EUROPE

try Being Prepared, and Fight
VIII Be Defensive IF 1t Comes.
Lifted States Can Assist and Not
come Ally of Ententes.
Iesjdent Wilson has met the con-
/ Nv increasing probability of war
Germany by summoning con-
/ to assemble in extraordinary
In April 1.-TWO weeks earlier
the date he had chosen before
htest assaults on American rights
be sea.
hen the president addresses con-
] he is expected to show how a
Of war actually has existed for
j time because of the unlawful
Assions of German submarines.
Angress is expected formally to
be a state of war existing, vote
sge sum, probably half a billion
rs, for national defense, and
L the president with authority
E the armed forces of the United
Is as it empowered President Me
Ry to deal with the menace of
i in 1898.
sch action would not be a declar-
i of war except in a technical
j, and whether the United States
Germany actually go to war in
FULLEST acceptation of the term
8epend on what the imperial gov
ent does before congress is as
Led or if it acts.
ach to change the course of the
nment in the crisis may develop
q April 2. The first American
ships will by that time have
ID the war zone. The ruthless
ctiOn Of one of them unques-
" would be an act of war.
the other hand, sinking of a
pine by one of the armed mer-
ben probably would be met as
Of war by Germany. Even
ming of American ships with
vowed purpose of defending
against U-boats may be declar-
81 an act.
States viii Not Declare War.
any Of these events practically
ng would remain except for con-
TO acknowledge a state of war
p from certain specified
4 next few days, until congress
4, will be fraught with POSSIBLE
III tremendous consequences to
Rhlted States.
sldent Wilson and his advisers
cabinet and in congress have
#entlon that war shall be declar-
the United States. By the hos
is Of German submarines they
Il the imperial German govern
IS actually making war on the
States and that it shall be
lzed as such state. To meet
condition the armed forces
country and all the national
GEES are to be put in a state of
ess.
Every sense war, if it actually
will be defensive, free from
ons Of spoils or territory in
the United States shall want
Tor itself and shall seek only
serve the rights of civilization.
Such an occasion the United
might even demand actual par
lon IN the hostilities on the
Fan continent without becom-
political ally of any of the en-
powers, simply casting its
OF men and money and moral
II INTO the battle against
n enemy.
avies Would Cooperate.
OF the United States proba-
uid be opened to warships of
lenJe navies; credits from the
ochs of gold, food, munitions
- materials might be extend
al the entente powers. The
an navy probably would CO.
with the British and French
IN clearing submarines from
aylng the whole situation be-
lgress the president is expect
etall fully the war-like acts of
ny against the United States
pay particular attention to the
VI the American government
great conflict draws to a close.
not improbable that he will
sreSs to declare a state of war
although there is some in
mat ne may only outline the
i IuIly and leave to congress
ION which is accepted as un-
'W while every preparation for
We nations defenses in con-
y meet a state of war are go
Ga[q' The principal activities
N the navy.
amy plans are in a less def
u because of the uncertainty
AaI part it will be called on
II has been generally assum-
any aggressive action by the