The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-04-06
PRESIDENT WILSON CALLS
FOR DECLARATION Of WAR
Asks Fullest Cooperation With Allies Wants
Army Of 100000 and Bigger Navy
AUSTRIA IS NOT INCLUDED IN BELL|GERENT ACTION

Washington w s o n
urged Congress, assembled in joint
session, to declare a state of war ex-
listing between the United States and
Germany.
In a dspassionate but unmeasured
denunciation OF the course OF the i'm
perial German government, which he
characterized as challenge TO all
mankind and a warfare agains. all
nations, the President declared that
neutrality no longer was feasible or
desirable where the peace OF the
world was involved; that armed neu-
trality had become Intellectual enough
at best and was likely to produce
what it was meant to prevent, and
urged that Congress accept the gage
of battle with all the resources OF the
nation.
IL advise that the Congress de-
clare the recent course of the imper-
! ial German government to be in fact
nothing less than war against the
government and people of the United
States" said the President, that it
formally accept the status of belliger'
ent which has thus been thrust upon
! It and that 1t take steps not only to
put the country in a more thorough
state of defence but also to exert all
its power and employ all its resources
to bring the government Of the Ger
man empire to terms and end the
| war"
When the President had finished
! speaking, resolutions to declare
state Of war existing were introduced
in both houses of Congress, referred
! to appropriate committees, and will
be debated tomorrow. There is no
doubt OF their passage.
The objects of the United States
in entering the war, the President
said, were. to vindicate the principles
of peace and justice against selfish
and autocratic power" Without sell
| fish ends, for conquest or dominion,
seeking no indemnities, or material
| compensation for the sacrifices 1t
shall make, the United States must
enter the war, the President said, to
make the world safe for democracy
rights of mankind, and would be sat-
isfied when these rights were as Sc
cure as the faith and freedom OF
nations could make them.
The Presidents address was sent In
full to Germany by a German official
news agency for publication in that
country. The text also went to Eng
] Of &c
was sent around the world to other
nations.
! To carry on an effective warfare
against the German government,
which he characterized as a natural
foe to liberty" the President recon-
mended:
Utmost practical cooperation in
counsel and action with the govern
ments already at war with Germany.
Extension of liberal financial cred
its to these governments so that the
resources of America may be added so
far as possible to theirs.
Organization and mobilization OF all
the material resources of the country.
Full equipment of the navy. partic-
ularly for the means of dealing with
submarine warfare.
An army Of at least 100000 men,
based on the principal OF universal
! liability to service, and the authorize
ton of additional increments OF 5OO,-
600 each as they are needed or can be
handled in training.
Raising, necessary, money for the
United States government so far as
possible without borrowing and on
the basis Of equitable taxation.
All preparations, the President
urged, should be made in such way as
not to check the flow of war supplies
to the nations already in the field
against Germany.
Measures to accomplish all these
ends. the President told Congress,
would be presented with the best
thought OF the executive departments
which will be charged with the con-
/ duct OF the war. and he besought con-
sideration for them In that light.
President Wilson'S appearance be-
fore Congress was marked by scene
Of the greatest enthusiasm ever
shown since he began the practice OF
delivering his addresses in person
Crowds on the outside of the Capitol
cheered him frantically as he entered
and as he left. Congress roared
cheer after cheer in an outburst OF
patriotic enthusiasm.
Disclaiming any quarrel with the
German people and anything but q
feeling Of friendship and sympathy FOR
them. the President declared theiI
government had not acted upon their
impulses in entering the war MOI
with their previous knowledge or ap'
proval.
"It was war" he said. deter
mined upon "a wars used TO be deter
mined upon in the old unhappy days
when peoples were nowhere consulted
by their rulers and wars were pro-
voked and waged in the interests OF
dynansties or of little groups OF am
bilious men who were accustomed tc