Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-21
= NATIONS WAR PLANS

This is how one of President Wilson's
Cabinet members described today the prob-
| able course OF action. this nation should
| take IL war with Germany comes. as Is
! now expected:
Alignment with the Entente Allies
| The British and French fleets now in
| western Atlantic waters would be released
| FOR duty elsewhere, especially In the sub
marine zone. by being replaced by the
United States Atlantic fleets.
This country does not at present plan
sending an armed expedition to Europe.
because the Allies have all the men they
need.
our ports would be thrown open 10 Allied
ships for all purposes.
Extension of unlimited credit to the Allies
so that they would be able to purchase all
the necessary ammunition, food and sup
plies American gold is what would make
the entrance of the United States into the
war felt the most.
AFTER LONG STRUGGLE
The Presidents course marks the end OF
his unprecedented efforts--efforts which
have been alike strongly commended and
bitterly conference.-the keep this country
at peace even with Germany. in order that
It might perform the greater service of
restoring reason to war-mad Europe.
In reaching his conclusion 10 lay before
the Congress the grave problem Of deter
mining upon this Governments national
policy toward Germany, the President
brought TO an end a struggle for peace
not only with his advisers. but with him
self--perhaps the most dramatic in history.
Holding out against all arguments for
positive warlike action until the last. the
President was loath to take a course which
he believed might be construed as forcing
the issue"
Appeals were made TO him by his Cabinet
and through hundreds of kilograms from
people Of the country that aggressive action
was demanded Immediately not only for |
the sake of Americas conscience, but for |
the sake OF the peace of the world. |
CONSTANT PRESSURE
In this connection 1t Is recalled that Pres |
dent Wilson about a year ago declared to |
some of his advocates that he had reason |
10 believe if the United states entered the |
var actively there would be a termination
II the struggle within few months
Executive advisers have told him within |
he last twenty-four hours that to assume
low positive stand against Germany
would be to encourage the new Russian
Government. hearten the Allied troops in
he field, perhaps create an irrepressible de-
1and in Germany for the overthrow of the
utocracy there, and, in all, bring lasting
eace to the world vastly nearer.
lt became known today that in the last
ew weeks many kilograms and much of |
he advice that have gone to the White |
iouse nave counseled open war, and have
cen brutally frank in declarations that
Ugh note of patriotism must he sounded
: once. They have declared this to be no
lme for waiting to hear from the coun- |
ry'; they have declared the country has
eed now of leader who must tell the |
ountry and the people what they must do
hey nave declared 1t is finally up to the
resident of the United States to decide on
ctive steps against Germany and German
Military and naval ruthlessness and to lead
lie country without timidity over the ques-
on will the country want me to do this?"
ms, IN effect, is what President Wilson |
As been told by his most trusted advisers
nd counselors; in effect. ii was what was
I'd to President Wilson at the Cabinet
Getting
IL was in the face of such overwhelming |
ne'nlent that the President today decided |
't to await even the, fourteen more days
ntil April 16, the date he had set in a |
rmer proclamation for an extraordinary |
'ssion.
This action is interpreted by some of his
aplnet. as meaning the President at last | .
Is lost the last vestIge of patience and
'pe tnat the war chasm might ultimately
bridged
Many or them at first knowledge of the
sws believed actual hostlities and spe-
BILE. '' ,
ARGUMENTS FOR WAR
The Presidents Cabinet and kilograms {
ON ,he country argue along the following
'es IN faVor of immediate action:
Prompt assumption of an aggressive
attitude toward Germany The people
are ready to go to war and need only
the call.
sounding of a single patriotic note ]
winch would Immediately augment re- {
cruiting in both the navy and army |
branches of defense service and enable i
the Government to man it's war vessels
up to full strength; or v
declaration of a state of war which
Would encourage the Entente soldiers
IN the Held; encourage the Russian n
reVoiutionists in the prompt and definite q
formation of sound democratic gov C
ernment; materially depress Germany t
and in all bring peace nearer. $
DEFENSE MEASURES TAKEN
The first apparently warlike step to be
ken by the Government following the
residents call for an extraordinary Con- =
ess session April . was when the muni- | II