Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-31
Ready to Tell Congress of Ger
man Aggressions and Make ,
Recommendations. .y
RECOGNITION THAT WAR
NOW EXISTS PROBABLE
Approval of Cabinet Unanimous, and
Administration Counts on
Public Support.

President Wilson, having de-
cided fully with his cabinet upon
a course of action to meet the
national emergency, today set
about the task of reducing the
conclusions to writing.
Exactly what these conclusions
are will be disclosed officially
when the President appears before
Congress next week to deliver his
momentous message.
Indications today, however,
were that formal recognition of
the existence of a state of war
between the United States and
Germany would result.
No Division in Cabinet.
The disclosure that definite decision
had been reached was made following
a final conference between President
Wilson and his cabinet advisers yes
terday Decision was reached quickly
and it was said there was no division
of opinion on the question.
Just what part the United States
would play in the war against Ger
many will not be developed until after
Congress defines the nations status
and completes urgent defense legisla-
tion.
Meantime plans for organization OF
the House so that President Wilson
may appear early next week before
Congress went ahead today. Until 1t
is known definitely. however. when or
ganization will be effected. no date tor
the Presidents appearance will be set.
Confident of Solid Backing.
Administration officials are confident
! that the President will have the almost
solid backing of the country and Con-
gress in whatever recommendations he
NAV make. Some opposition is looked
for. however, from pacifists at the Cap
itol.
Among the measures Congress is ex-
pected to act on soon after President
wilson's appearance are: Extension
of a large credit to the government:
provision for raising an army of about
l,O00,O 900 men; censorship and SPY
bills; the regular army supply Dill ana
emergency legislation for the army ana
navy
While the details of recent confer
ences between the President and Secre-
taries Baker and Daniels have not been
made known, it is assumed they related
/ inc he
ing of the defenSes of the nation.
National Defense Problems.
Among these questions are: The
early graduation of the first class at
West Point, the putting of the coast
and seodetic survey, with its fleet OF
vessels, under the Navy Department.
transfer of supervision over privately
owned wireless plants from the Com
merce to the Navy Department. collec-
ton of large number of privately own
ed boats suita bic for submarine chasers,
and purchase of supplies of all kinds
for the army and navy.
One of the first problems facing the
government is that of making certain
that men and women do not go into the
army or navy who are better fitted FOR
industrial work. Special efforts are 70
be made to keep skilled workers OF all
kinds out of the military branches ex-
cept when they are needed.
Additional National Guard units have
been called out to participate in the
work of protecting public property in
the United States.
To Report on Mobilization. -
The entire membership of the Councfk
of National Defense and its advisory
commission the agency through which
national resources will mobilize for
war. assembled here today for reports
on what has been effected.
Tentative plans have been formu<.
lated by the council. however. to gov
ern the distribution of war orders so az
to provide for the maximum speed OF
deliveries and the minimum diSars
rangement of peace-time activities.
Fifty more bids for construction OF
small. fast patrol boats and submarine
chasers We're received today at tho
Navy Department. Each bidder offered
one or more boats in the shortest pos
sible time. Contracts for more than
100 chasers can be let Immediately, in
cluding those tentatively awarded last
week and facilities are available for
construction of 400 or 500 more during
the present year.
Some of today's bids were based upon
the cost plus 10 per cent profit, in
the plan for battle cruisers and de-
StroyerS.