The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-03-28
National Executive Expect
ed TO Place Blame On Ber
lin In His Address Before
Congress In Extra Session
Monday.
Western States Opposed to
Entering Strife Until Last
Hope Is Abandoned, Sena-
tor Hitchcock Informs
, Cabinet.

I Cabinet.
Washington, March 2S.-The para
mount feature of the two-hour dis
cussion Of the nations prospective
war plans by the Cabinet yester-
day was the unanimous decision OF
the President and his ten advisers
that the United States should make
use Of every means at its command
to crush the military autocracy Of
Germany.
That is considered to be the most
important obligation that will devolve
upon this government following the
| declaration that state of war exists
with Germany which Congress is con
fidently expected to make in the Sec
| ond week of April.
| The details of the war programme
which the government will put into
operation as soon as Congress has
provided it with authority, to act will
of course, be held in reserve, pending
the discussion Of it in the Senate anG
House.
The President himself is represent
ed by his advisers as still having ar
l"open mind" as to the exact form Of
/ Congressional expression regarding
the attitude which this government is
ITO hold toward Germany as to the
scope of national cooperation with
the Allied Governments opposing Ger.
| many.
He is understood to desire the full
understanding ION the part of mem
bers of Congress as TO the obligations
which the unfriendly attitude of Ger
many has forced upon the United
States. He proposes to make the ex-
tent and scope of these obligations
Enthusiastically clear during the address
that he wilf>make to Congress a week
from today or tomorrow.
| The main concern of the govern
| ment at present is to convince Con-
gress that no alternative is possible
other than a declaration that Ger
many has forced the United States
| into proclaiming a state of war.
It is the unanimous opinion Of the
| Presidents advisers that the Demo-
cratic governments of France and
| Russia should be helped in every way
possible. This government is be-
| lieved to- have first hand information
that more soldiers are not needed by
either Of them and that if any ex-
| peqitions,ry force is sent from this
country it shall be for sentimental
| rather than practical reasons.
! It is recognized by the leaders OF
| the government that both France and
Russia need money and supplies. The
necessities of Russia in this direction
are particularly acute. Sentiment in
| the Cabinet favors prompt provision
to encourage France and Russia to
vindicate the principles of democracy
upon which this government is found
| ed.
OF the plans tentatively discussed
in executive session the most popular
| appears to be to loan France and Rus
STA substantial sum of money, prob
ably s5OO,O00,0OO each, upon bonds
| bearing an infinitesimal rate of inter-
est that can be refunded.
These bonds could be purchased by
this government backed by the honor
and pledges of France and Russia
which, under the circumstances. is
considered the best form Of collateral.
The project to make a gift of 1,000,-
00,00Ot to France has many support
ers in executive circles and is certain
to receive the consideration of Con-
| gross.
Some members of Congress arriving
for the session next Monday are re-
fecting opposition to any proposition
to finance the belligerent powers. The
overwhelming majority of Congress
men, however, it is believed, favor
one of the projects designed to help
in the determination of the German
military machine on the ground that
this country could not augment the
military forces already involved in
| the struggle with such effect as would
be accomplished through the extern
sion of a loan of money or credits for
| supplies. y
The Government appears to enter
| tain little doubt that Congress will
provide the means necessary to de-
velop the naval and military forces Of
the Nation sufficiently to insure COM
plete defense of it's rights. Legisla-
ton intended to provide from one to
! five billion dollars is to be introduced
after the resolution proclaiming a
state of war between the United States
| and Germany has been adopted.
A prospective fight between the
Democrats and Republicans over the
organization of the House of Repre-
sentatives, and a general discussion OF
the situation confronting the United
States will probably defer final action
on the major proposition until some
time about the second or third week
| Of April.
| Congressional leaders expect mem.
bers Of both Houses will avail their
selves of the fullest opportunity to
| discuss the propositions to declare a
state of war from every angle.
| That there will be some dissent
from the recommendation the .-res1.
dent will make for a declaration that
a state of war exists with Germany is
already indicated by the attitude of
| some of the members of both parties
who are urging a less drastic step on
| the part of this government
| The utternaces of these men are
strongly favored with pacifist senti-
| ment, and not a few of them would
] limit the action of Congress to the
passage of the Armed Neutrality B;ll
rejected by the Senate, and the adop.
| ton of a resolution approving the
| Presidents course in ordering the
arning of merchant ships.
Here are smart and becoming hats
| for street and dress wear, as we'll as
a fine assortment Of sport and tailored
hats. So extensive is the variety of
| styles that selection is easy The
| hats are diSnlaVedE for convenio,,