Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-21

further advanced, but for
physical reasons. Some
congressman are in the
Danish West Indies. 9th
ers are at Panama. All
will be needed here and
as much time as possible
was given by the President for them
to reach Washington.
Significant in the extreme is the
reason assigned in the call for the
special session 1t expresses in
single phrase the sentiment of the
President In the formal proclamation
the reason assigned for the special
communication is ito consider grave
questions of national policy" And
that is the task which President Will
son will set for the new legislative
body.
Only War Remains.
The President admits that there is
no longer anything additional that
the executive power can do to protect
American lives and interests from
Germany aggression He and his ad-
visers believe that Germany is max
/ ing war on the United States. Con-
gress is the only body in the United
States which can authorize war.
President Wilson will lay the situa-
ton before it when it convenes, will
point out that American men and wo.
men have been ruthlessly murdered
on the high seas and will ask that
congress decide what policy this gov
ernment shall adopt as "A reply.
/ No doubt was entertained here to-
day as to what that answer is to be.
An immediate Official declaration by
congress- that a state of war has ex-
isted probably since the drowning OF
Mrs. Mary Hoy and Miss Elizabeth
Hoy, of Chicago, following the torpedo
ing Of and sinking without warning
of the Cunard Liner Laconla, is ex-
pected. The Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes still remaining in town de-
clared their opinion that this probably
will be the action.
The Proclamation.
The proclamation calling congress-
together in extraordinary session as
rent to the president for his signature
was as follows:
"By the President of the Unit
ed States America
- Proclamation"
"Hereas the public interest re-
oures that the congress Of the
United States should be conven-
ed in extra session at Il o'clock
noon on the second day OF April
1917, to receive such eommunica-
tions as may be made by execu-
tive ard TO consider grave ques-
tions Of national policy.
"Now therefore, |, Woodrow
Wilson, President Of the United
States Of America declare by pro-
claim and declare that an extra
ordinary occasion requires the
congress OF the United States to
convene in extra session at the
canitai in the city OF Washington
on the second day Of April az u
/ o'clock noon, of which all persons
who at that time shall be entitled
/ 10 act as members thereof are
hereby required to take notice.
"Gven under my hand the seal
of the United States of Amerl-
ca the 2ist day Of March in the
year Of Our Lord one thousand
nine hundred and seventeen and
of the Independence of the United
States the hundred and forty-tirst.
(Sgned) Woodrow Wilson"
BY the President.
Robert Lansing, Secretary ot
State.
Notifies congressman
so soon as the president had au'
thorized the reparation Of the proc
,lamation and DR. Gary r. Grayson lett
for the Virginia golf links, where, de
sipte drlzzling rain, the President
played q round Of his fayorite exer'
else Meantime kilograms were be-
ing sent to all members of the next
congress apprising them of the situa-
tion. Feyerish activity marked the
day in all branches Of the government
connected in any way with the plans
for the national defense.
Rush Naval Work.
The navy department continued
making awards for submarine chasers
while the war department proceeded
to perfect plans for everything that
win be needed for the army of de-
fense. The department today was In