Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-04
Capitr' Stirred by
Wilson'S WeSSage
Confined from PAGE Ono

sOntinHeu from tnRe Uno
toi and occupied a seat In the executive
gallery with other members of the Presi.
dents immediate family.
| Before the members Of the Senate left
that body for the joint session in the
| House, Senator owen, OF Oklahoma, in.
! troduced resolution creating an Amer.
| lean legion of honor as direct out
| growth OF the war. This new body was
| to be made up Of 200 persons to be
designated by the President for extraor-
dinarily heroic service in the war. The
same resolution also established n cross
of valor to be conferred upon persons
who distinguish themselves in the war.
| Senator owen also would have SOL
diers decorated by foreign governments
! permitted to accept and wear such dec
orations This preliminary to what was
expected to be "a war day had good
! effect on the members OF both houses.
The members of the Senate proceeded
| In body TO the house chamber shortly
before 1880. headed by Vice President
Marshall and Sergeant at Arms Hig-
gins. The front row benches in the
House chamber had been reserved for
the Senators.
The United States formally will de-
clare war on Austria-Hungary as soon
as the legislative machinery can be put
| Into motion.
Immediately following President Will
sons recommendation TO the joint session
| of Congress that a state OF war be de-
clared, a meeting of the foreign relations
| committee was called at 10 o'clock to-
| morrow morning. II probably will at
once report general resolution to carry
out the Presidents wish. This resolu-
ton will be passed probably with very
little debate and sent to the Senate.
which will concur in 1T. The House
meets tomorrow, but the Senate has
recess until Thursday.
After the President left the Capital
there were hurried conferences of the
various leaders, and II was decided that
the wish Of the executive would guide
all action. In consequence the deciara-
ton of war will be against Austria
Hungary alone. and Turkey and Bui-
garia will be allowed to retain their
present status. at least, for the time
being.
Vice President Marshall designated
Senator Martin. the majority leader,
and Senator Galiinger the minority
leader, TO represent the Senate In well
coming the President and In escorting
him to the Speakers desk. The House
committee for the same purpose was
made up OF Majority Leader Kitchin,
acting Minority Leader Gillette and Rep
resentative Fitzgerald, OF Brooklyn.
The hrst Of the high entente diplomats
to reach the building was Ambassador
Jules J. Jusserand, Of France. He es'
corted the members of his immediate
party to the diplomatic gallery, ant
then he himself went 10 the floor OF the
chamber where seats had been reserved
for leading diplomats.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. British Am.
bassador; Minister Brun. Of Denmark
and the various Latin-American am
bassadors and ministers were not Ions
behind Ambassador Jusserand. and they
also took seats on the fioor.
The House met as usual at noon ant
after the formal opening recessed until
1870 when the Senate arrived. The
Senate also met at Its customary hour
, Virtually every diplomatic attache Of
the State Department was on hand esrly
and, headed by Counselor Polk, wer.
given seats in the executive gallery.
As the President began speaking. his
message, previously cabled to England
France, JapaR-in fact. TO all countries
with the exception Of the Central Pow
ers---wss released for publication to tn,
people.
There was q different spirit in tn,
halls of Congress today than that which
marked the gathering Of the member:
| for the opening session yesterday. Tbei
there was evident only the spirit O.
r goodfeilowship. warmed By the welcom
, Ing of greeting colleagues. Today ;
solemnity second only to that which
marked the session that brought wa Il
America was apparent on every hand.
America, having put her hand to tn
, sword, heard from the executive how sh'
must WELD II.
The applause greeting President vii