The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-04-03
TO DECLARE THAT STATE
OF WAR NOW EXISTS

Everything Possible Without Con.
gresslonal Authority Already Done
or Planned-Not Much Opposition
to Presidents Mapped Out Path
Likely to Develop. Wilson Work
ing on Address.
Washington, March 3o.-The ad-
ministrative branch Of the American
government has determined definite
ly upon a course Of action TO meet
the hostility of Germany.
While Official announcement is with
held pending the appearance Of Pres1-
dent Wilson before congress Monday,
formal recognition Of the existence
of a state of war is expected to fol-
low soon after the extra session De-
gins.
The president, having decided on
the principal features Of the address
TO be delivered to joint session or
the house and senate, is putting the
document in writing, and today had a
final discussion with the cabinet.
The meeting lasted only an hour
and a half, but with conclusion quick
ly made known time was found Tor
attention to individual departmental
matters.
There is said to have been no diff
ference Of opinion in the cabinet on
the great questions. The presidents
advisers as well as Official Washing
ton generally have long since accept
ed it as fact that war actually IS
being waged against the United States.
Already Making War.
officials believe Germany is max
ing war on this nation because she
has taken more than 240 American
lives on the high seas, because sne
has destroyed American ships by the
wholesale; because millions OF dol
lars worth of damage has been done
as a result Of German plots IN the
United States; because she attempted
to set on foot a conspiracy with Mex
leo and Japan to dismemher the re-
public: and, finally, because of the
belief that Germany triumphant Will
constitute a future menace TO the
peace of the world in general and OF
the United States in particular.
The United States, it is emphasized
in official quarters, has not in the
mast and does not now desire war
with the German people; but on the
German government responsibility IS
placed for terrorism on land and sea,
which. now that it has been directed
against American citizens and Amerl"
can interests. must be actively COM
bated.
Just what part the United States
will play is a question the govern
ment has yet to determine. The sub
iect has been discussed generally
within the administration but the
broad policy to be pursued Will De
developed only after the nations
status has been defined by congress
and urgent defense steps completed.
For Great Army.
After the president has delivered
his address congress is expected to
take under consideration promptly
the granting Of a large credit to the
government and to provide for the
raising of an army Of perhaps, 1,000,-
0eo men.
Other measures. such as a censor
ship bill, a spy bill, the regular army
appropriation bill and emergency
legislation for the army and navy
also will be submitted.
The government so far as Is
known, has no plans for a political
alliance with the entente allies, al
though degree of military coopera-
ZION of course will be essential.
Always in the presidents mind, 1t
is believed, will be the ultimate per-
manent peace for which he already
has outlined his programmes league
of nations backed by moral and mill
tary force.
AS summarized today everything
the government believes can be done
without congressional action to arm
against Germany either has been
done or has been planned. Every
government department is engaged
in some fork of preparedness. Les
sons taught by the experiences OF
Europe are being utilized as far as
possible.
TIE pacihst element both inside
and outside congress will make itself
heard before a decision is reached.
Many delegations of opponents OF war
r Will come here to atempt to 1nfu-
ence congress.
While details of the conference be-
tween the president and Secretaries
Baker and Daniels were not made
known both of the cabinet members
have before them many questions
concerning the strengthening of the
defenses of the nation.
Among these questions are: The
early graduation of the first class
at West Point, the putting of the
coast and geodetic survey, with its
fleets of vessels, under the navy de-
partment, transfer of supervision over
privately owned wireless plants from
the commerce of the navy depart,
ment; collection of a large number
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