The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-02-23
Opinion In Washington Grows
That President Wilson Intends
Appearing Before Joint Session
I Of Houses Again Next Week
BAKER CALLS FOR MILLIONS e
FOR USE IN CANAL ZONE
Money Needed Immediately He
Tells Legislators; Universal
Service Measure Is Almost
Ready To Be Sent To Solons
tAssociated Press BY Federal wireless)

ASSOCIATED Press by FEDERAL Wireless)
Wv ! ASHINGToN, February 21 ~
" Steady progress is being made
by congress in the task of pre-
pairing for the crisis with Germany,
which the majority Of the Senators be-
lieve can not be Tended of much long
or. Indeed IL is generally believed
here that President Wilson will appear
before congress carly next week, pos
sibly Monday or Tuesday, and appeal
for authority TO take the further steps
for the protection of American lives
and property at sea, which he has in,
sisted will be necessary should the
German 'truthless" warfare be kept
up. ... .. q. e.,
The cabinet met yesterday afternoon
with the President and held a lengthy
session, following which the impression
that the President intends 10 appear
before congress next week, gained
ground. No announcement regarding
the German crisis was made after the
meeting. ~
Need Millions az Once
Congress yesterday received from the
war department special appeal from
Secretary of War Baker, asking for the
appropriation of $l3,371,000 in imme-
'iate use in construction work on
Troop quarters in the Panama Canal
zone. ait is imperatiyely necessary
that this sum be Immediately availa.
BILE for use," is the way the secretary
Expresses the need, although he does
not give his reasons for the sudden
emergency which calls for the expendi.
ture of that amount of money IA
Still another step, and one of the
most momcntous. ever taken by q
congress- of the American people, will
: be the consideration and probable &C.
ton on the bin prepared by the army
general staff, providing for universal
service in the United States. Thii
measure is now almost ready for trans
mission to congress, and Secretary
Baker said last night that it will b.
sent TO the lawmakers before the Gloss
of this session. He did not say what
sort of recommendation will accom-
pauy the bill. -. ...
Universal Training Bill ...r.
The measure provides for INTENSIVE
training of one year for all males il
the United States who are capable o
passing the physical requirements. Re
cruits arc to be nineteen years old be
fore being called to the cOlors. 1t i
estimated that the measure would Pre-
vide standing army for the Unite
States of half million trained men.
No mention is made in the bill 70
the naval requirements, but the navs
committee of the senate yesterday. sct
ed favOrably upon the naval appropris
ton bill, which sets aside 100000, 90
for the use Of the fighting ships o
Uncle Sam. This measure also provide
for the Communicating of private shi
building yards by the federal govern
ment On times of national stress, an
also puts the same power over nun
tions plants in the hands of the author
ties. 1t contains specific directio
that the navy department shall provid
for the construction of a large nun
her of submarines, and sets asid
$35,O00,000 for this purpose. -.
An amendment to the measure whic
was passed by the committee, calls f,
the construction Of fifty additional SUI
marines, half of them to be constructs
on the Pacific Coast. ...