Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1917-04-13
HALF MILLION
MEN WANTED
President Urges Immediate
Organization of an Army
for Defense.
Asks Congress to Declare State Of
War Existing Between United
States and Germany In Address
Ing Special Session.

Washington President Wilson has
asked congress to declare a state OF
war existing between the United
States and Germany. While the news
of the summarizing of the steamer
Aztec-the first American armed ship
to sail into the war zone-was being
told from mouth to mouth In the cap
itol, the president, appearing before
the house and senate in joint session
on April 2. asked congress to recog.
nize and deal with Germany's warfare
on America.
The president said war with Ger
many would involve practical cooper
alton with the governments now at
war with Germany, including liberal
financial credits. The president urged
the organization OF an army of at
least 100000 men, chosen upon the
principle of universal liability to SER
vice" No action was being taken
against the Austrian government and
the other nations allied with Ger
many.
The president reached the capitol
about $40. AS his big motor swung
around before the east front of the
big building two troops of the sec
ond regular cavalry on guard, sabers
glittering under the arc lights, swept
the plaza clear while the hundreds of
people cheered. He was taken imme-
dately to the speakers room and then
into the house chamber. where the
senators were just filing in. Six
members of the supreme court who
had taken seats In front of the speak
er's stand, stood and faced about.
The presidents entered amid deaf
ening cheers. Both sides Joined with
will.
The president spoke slowly at first,
then faster than usual His voice was
clear and grew stronger as he pro-
ceeded.
1t was very serious and quiet audi
ence. Not until the president declared
1--WE will not choose the path of sub
mission" did his audience applaud.
These words drew shouting and hand
clapping. No attempt was made by
Speaker Clark to curb It.
Scarcely had the sounds OF this
demonstration died away when the
president declared that the congress
should declare that a state of war ex-
listed and second demonstration be-
gan.
Representative Caldwell OF New
York first rose to his feet and yelled
Every one OF the supreme court
judges stood. Chief Justice White
smiled and vigorously clapped his
hands, as did Justices Pitney and
Clarke.
Should Assist Allies.
Declaration by the president that
this country should help the allies un-
til the end of the war also was pro-
ductive of cheers. BY far the great
est outburst, however, came when the
president declared for an army OF $780,
600 men selected on universal serv-
ice basis. Chief Justice White was
one of those who joined most heart.
lily in the handclapping at this point,
which lasted nearly a minute.
Applause also greeted the declara.
ton for supplying needs of the allies
and also the statement that principles
of peace and justice should be vindi.
Gated against autocratic power.
1--WE have no quarrel with the Ger
man people" was another remark
which received an enthusiastic recep-
ton. Mention of the recent overthrow
Of the Russian monarchy brought loud
cheers.
Wave after wave of applause met
the presidents reference to German
spies infesting the country and his
suggestion of partnership of demo
cratic nations in the cause OF peace.
A particularly vociferous outburst
greeted the declaration that "if there
should be disloyalty II will be dealt
with by firm hand and stern repres.
sion"
The most noticeable interruption
came near the end when, I'm the midst
of a declaration that il was "a fear.
ful thing to lead this great peaceful
people into war" Mr.. La Toilette
cleared his throat twice sharply Per.
sons on the floor and in the galleries
| were quick to note the interruption
| but the president read on steadily.
AS the president finished every per
son on the floor and in the galleries
arose and shouted Most OF the SEN
ators unfolded flags they wore In
their upper outside coat pockets and
waved them vigorously.
Flag Makers Swamped.