The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
This Is the General Opinion Now Prevailing in the
 National Capital
THIS COUNTRY BOUND
 TO GO FORWARD NOW
Wilson Has Outlined Course Which Must Be Followed to End, Even if It Means Actual Fight.
 Will Soon Know
By HUGH w. RopERTs

l ny W. hObEhJS Washington, March 12.-(special.)-wifl there be war between the United States and Germany?
 l The answer which conservatives make is that war between the two nations can not be avoided by any agency save prov lGence.
 The United States, in arming and send ing it's merchant vessels to sea, has elim- mated one hope that an actual clash might be avoided. The United States has refused to permit Germany to drive it's commerce from the waters. ! The only other hope is that Germany will abandon it's plan to prevent the United States feeding and supplying with
 munitions of war, it's enemies. the allied nations.
 No one believes that Germany will re- tire from it's present position. THE BROODING OF, DANGER That the situation is ominous of peril,
 the government of the United States does not hesitate to admit. In order that all
 departments, the executive, adminstra-
 tive and legislative might be united and
 prepared for any emergency, the Presi-
 dent has called Congress into extraordi-
 nary session. Josephus Daniels, Secre-
 tary of the Navy. has formally pleaded
 with correspondents to the end that they,
 for reasons of patriotism, might refrain
 from publishing infiammatory information
 and news regarding the movements of
 American owned vessels.
 Behind the government, it is unrnistak-
 ably true that the nation stands as a.
 unit. This fact was conclusively demon- strated when the F Senators who, under the leadership of Mr. LaFollette and MT. Stone, prevented the enactment of the armed neutrality bill were subjected to the most merciless and nationwide criti- csm, ridicule and abuse that was ever heaped upon the heads of American citi- zens. The little coterie of Bryan paciists in the House still exists. But, confronted by the anger of nation, that coterie in the future will be conspicuous by his silence
 THE STORMS LULU It might be stated, therefore, that with the exception of German paid agents in America. there will be no distracting n- nuences in the moment of peril. Until the storm breaks, everybody, whether in public or private life. will impatiently and under nerve racking tension, stand still They will be as man who strains
 his ear to catch the report of a gun which
 he knows will be fired beyond the brow of a hill.
 The President, no doubt, has issued instructions to sea captains to refrain from what might appear the necessity of striking first It is problematical as to whether or not the President has ex-
 pressed his views regarding the slim mar
 gin between aggressive and defensive ac- ton. It is possible that he has left that distinction to the discretion of those in charge of the ships. For there is no doubt
 but that gun fore and gun aft would discharged before submarine launched it's torpedo.
 AT THE PERISCOPE It is understood in Washington that some of the captains at sea or about to put to sea will fire as soon as a sub marine raises it's periscope above the water. It is contended that Germany has already declared it's intention to sink any merchant vessel entering a certain zone. It is contended that as the above Is true, Ii would be folly for an American captain not to defend his ship before his ship is destroyed. But if the Presidents directions are carried out to the letter, it is safe prediction that the German clash will be
 the result of actual German aggression. As America has right to the freedom of
 the seas, an American vessel cannot af- l (Condnued on Page Twoo