Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-07
SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL Z, 1917.
EVENTS OF A WEEK

:, EVENTS OF A WEEK
OF The event which has been recognized as of supreme
q Importance throughout the world during the past week
C s the formal entrance Of the United States into the world
mar. This brings into the conflict a nation whose hun
REQ million people are exceeded in numbers only by the
Inhabitants of the Russian and British empires. whose
= ncyailable natural resources exceed those of any other
: iration. and which. today. stands first of all nations in
: eceual cash resources.
z PROBABLY no great nation ever took up tho burden
\ r ~ar more calmly. For weeks the people of tho United
Z n1ates have recognized war as inevitable. Germany had
! PERSISTED in acts of war against US. and there could be no
u lfcape from our entrance into the fight. Hence public
& aendment had long been prepared for the action Of con-
!. rsess. There has been no doubt as to the essentially Of
= no action. Interest was felt chiefly in the manner in
4 t'nach our position would be stated. There were those
Il 7 believed that the president would advise that the ex-
- feence OF a state of war be declared. And there was no
- QUESTION that his recommendation would be followed.
", Congress assembled on Monday, April 2, and the
= youse organized quickly by re-electing Speaker Clark.
ii The Democrats secured enough of the doubtful, votes to
Il ecure for them the entire house organization. The or
~ anization of the house being completed, the two houses
ssS1et In joint session, and the president appeared and read
lis address. That address is recognized. in this country
ssSnd throughout the world, as one Of the most mastery
Atate papers Of the age. Briefly it summed up the situa-
ZION. pointed out the necessity Of full recognition by the
s9S7nited States Of the condition of war that had been
s$orced by Germany. and called for such a declaration, for
sShe authorization of the entire land and naval forces Of
sSahe United States in that war, for the prompt enrolment
ES W." ANA00A 0Aeu uIueT a SSrvC9 q
~nd for such votes Of money as might be needed.
e =
The feature Of the address upon which there has
sSsen the most general comment is it's constructiveness in
@he e1pression Of tho speakers conviction that this war
must be a war for the purpose Of laying the foundations
4or a lasting peace. This feature of the address has re-
@etved warm praise. There has also been great interest
N the presidents reference to the treachery and general
antrustworthines Of tho present German government and
she address has done much to turn public thought toward
~he possibility that the entente allies of Europe, together
Nth the United States. may refuse to treat for peace with
= German government headed by a Hohsnzollern. SEN
siment in this direction han not taken definite form. but
= e11stb and there are many expressions Of it.
Tho story Of the proceedings is soon told. The SEN
A6e voted ON q war resolution on the evening. Earlier
lotion would have been taken had not Senator LaFol-
geete objected. and under the rules the resolution went
over until the net day. After a discussion In which all
as1ue3Axed VINO desired. the resolution was adopted by
, vote Of - to .. Those VINO voted against it were SEN
ators 01onna, Of North Dakota, LaFollette, of Wisconsin.
Lana, OF Oregon, Norris, of Nebraska, Stone of Missouri.
ind Vafdaman. Of Mississippi. The house passed the
same rssotudon early Friday morning, after a long ses-
don. Tho house vote was SIS to SO.
A vaE9ous demonstrations Of pacinst sentiment ,t,,.n.
"a the opposition in tho house, and the Democratic house
leader. Ktohin. headed the fight against the resolution.
Many speschss were made. and the house remained in
pondnuous session until after 3 O'Clock on FRIDAY morn
ing. Tho long list of names of those who voted in the
affirmative has not been received here, but both because
OF their previously expressed sentiments and because their
names DO not appear in the list Of fifty voting In the neEa-
Ave, It u taken for granted that Representatives Young
Noycon, OK North Dakota, voted for te resolution
NepFesensaIve aelgesen was not present, as he has just
had an operation performed in a Washington hospital.
III
A8 Precedent Wilson signed the resolution on Friday.
land Immediately issued a proclamation declaring the ex-
tstence Of a state of war, calling on all American citizens
20 give their loyal and undivided support to the govern
nnent in it, prosecution Of the war to a successful issue,
aHHand announcing the regulations authorized by statute for
sfhe conduct of alien enemies within the United States.
These regulations affect subjects of Germany Il years Of
ahge OF over resident in the United States. Such persons
sf0ro pfOhlDlteo from having in their possession hrea NM
5br their component parts, explosives or the material for
sthsir manufacture. shall not possess or use air craft or
atWtreless or signaling apparatus, and shall not be within
mile OF any fort, fertilization or other public
.ssHproperty Of a military character. These are some Of the
33sRNtsttncttve features of the proclamation.
u While the country has been prepared for the war
SHdeolsration. 30 the government, acting on the assumption
sAH4hat such q resolution would be adopted, has for weela
lAbeen making active preparation for war. The work of
men for the navy has proceeded rapidly, and in
SSEEboth war and navy departments there has been activity
may be in shape for action at the earliest possible
sA6noment. The war budget on which action will be taken
by congress soon provides for a fund Of 100000 for
E1Avar purposes.
y There are two opposing opinions a. to tho manner
On which the war should be financed. It 10 conceded
ssa4hat In any case there must be bond issues Of consider
size. But there Is a difference Of opinion az to
EwhetheS the policy to be adopted should be that Of rais-
k4ng the largest possible sums by immediate and direct
Skaxaton Or of depending chiefly on bond Issues and keep
ing present taxation down. The president. in his address
3o congress Indicated his belief that bond issues should be
skspf down TO . minimum. and that direct taxation should
f6S M anan reliance. In this he will probably be supported
&0InpsE oA the Democrats in congress. The predominant
7pssHng among the Republicans appears to be in favor Of
AraoR bond issues.
ssh1se who favor tho bond issue a. the main reliance
frat - the war is one. not for the benefit Of this
fH1A4MonSAlone. but for the safeguarding Of the nation
~ dane. the burdens which 1t will entail should be
S&aUa1eA 5Ovsfsa considerable period: that the war will
S11AtsupN the people Of this generation innumerable
1eassvS burdens which cannot be shifted; hence the
GS&&STEGHSGN ~ the nn0nev rnaf ah0rIAI he frau1fArrAA ~
xS49 S1as 1hoss 81 the opposite bslsf maintain that
S&&Sa1Slssnss viii result IN imitation which, viii entail
eVgkMBsAn that tbs nation will ~ abis toFfaes-
S4E4DD4 Aeber ~ was With much greatsR condolences u