The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-04-04
DOWN TO BUSINESS
RESOLUTION DECLARING STATE
OF WAR UNDER CONSIDERATION.
Action Expected in the House Before
Night and in Senate BY Tomorrow
Morning at the Latest-other Ma.
tions to Follow.

Washington, April 4-Congress got
down to work on the war resolution
today with prospect Of remaining in
session continuously until il is dis.
posed Of
In the senate It was taken up at 10
o'clock by unanimous consent, and
with administration leaders deter.
mined to permit no other business to
interfere with It.
Senator LaFollette, who yesterday
forced the resolution over until today,
was not in the chamber when Sena-
tor Hitchcock got unanimous consent
to take it up.
Almost every other senator ana
many house members were present
when the debate began.
In a brief opening statement, Sena.
tor Hitchcock, in charge of the reso-
luton, said the present was a time for
action, not discussion"
THE time for discussion has pass
ed" he said. THE president has al.
ready stated more clearly, effectively,
more conclusiyely than ! could the
reasons that make this grave step nee.
essary. The resolution provides for
war against the Imperial German gov
ernment 1t is framed on the lines Of
other war resolutions. 1t places re.
sponsibility for the war upon the
shoulders OF the German government,
charged with reported acts of war
against the United States. II is also
unquestionably a declaration Of war.
81 am pressed with the solemnity OF
the occasion. Some may be filled with
Joy at the prospect OF war. To me II
is depressing and dreadful. am sure
many other senators feel as do.
I'VE want no more territory" said
Senator Hitchcock, I'VE will demand
no indemnity. We have no historic
grudge to settle, nor racial antipathy
In this respect, we differ from the 9th
or countries already involved In this
awful struggle. There is Pan-Slavisu
against Pan.Germanism. Italy wants
back the Trentino; France her los
provinces; Great Britain has German
commerce and German colonies almos
in her grasp; Russia wants Constan
tinople and Germany, besides her plac,
In the sun, wants to dominate Europe
"We, Of all nations, will spend on
treasure and our blood and sacrifice
b our lives without the thought OF pos
81 sibility of gain. We are going to wa
to yindicate our honor and indcpond
- cncc as q great nation, and In defons
of humanity Such a quarrel as w.
have with Germany Is not of on
choosing do not mean to say Gel
d many has desired war with u.s. ! d
o. not believe that But the imperil
German government has been dcspeI
] ate. and has taken desperate chances.
American neutrality the senate
said. had first been shocked by Oh
, invasion 1f Belgium then the sinkIn
! of the Lusitania almost caused war
He said, however that he did NO
' consider that Germany had violate
D any pledge she gave after the sinkin
I OF the Lustania, because she ha
. expressly reserved the right to revok
I that pledge.
During Senator Htchock's speecl
I Senator LaFollctte was absent mo,
b. of the time, comforting with Senate
e Gronna and others who are eXpecte
l to oppose the resolution. Senate
u Hitchcock said he had hoped armo
7 neutrality would avert war.
$ Unfortunately the opposition ,
g the llibuster against that bill resulto
4 In word going out to the world IN,
p the official branches OF the COVER
ment were at loggerheads," he sal
THE result has been that our righ
have been more imposed upon tina
ever more American vessels haN
n been sunk lives OF American either
have been lost. Armed neutrality h,
passed as an expedient against wa
Il. 81 have been bitterly opposed
o. war. sought out the president M
N begged him TO remain longer, II pc
N siblc. under the policy Of armed ne
trailty as an expedient for peace h
10 the president had information In h
q. possession that made Il impossible.
,e "The country Is ready and congre
y. is ready While the voting has n
,b been recorded the decision has boU
,e made II is war.
~ cannot vote against war" Ser
n. tor Hitchcock concluded. without q
,c ing a vain and foolish thing. Il wou
nj only serve 20 weaken my country
a. the face OF the enemy and the wor