Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-21
PRESIDENT and
Cabinet STUDY
GERMAN CRISIS
Washington Officials Believe
that State of War With
Germany Already
Exists.
MANY PLANS CONSIDERED
U. s. May cooperate With En-
tente Navies in Clearing At
lantic Sea Lanes.
CONGRESS- MAY BE CALLED

Washington, March 20.-When the
cabinet adjourned after a two-hour
meeting none OF the members would
make any statement Secretary Dan
iels would only say there had been
no new orders to the navy. Informally
limitations were given that some an
nouncemcnt from the White House
might be expected tomorrow,
The impression grew that the pres
ident had determined to hasten the
coming Of congress. already called TO
meet in extra session on April 10.
Daniels Has Conference.
As soon as he returned to his Of
fee from the cabinet meeting Secrc-
tary Daniels went into conference
with the, navy general board. 1t was
not revealed whether the session was
the result of any new decision
reached by the president and his cab
met
The most general opinion in adj
ministration quarters was that there
was no likelihood of declaration of
war against Germany, although the
probability appeared to be for for
NAL recognition that state of war
exists because of Germany's acts
against the United States.
The statement was authorized at
the White House that the president
and the cabinet discussed every phase
of the situation.
As has been the case since all Off
cial Washington acknowledged that
state OF war practically exists be-
tween the United States and Ger
many, there is wide range of specu-
lation on the precise action President
Wilson contemplates, but there is no
official ground for any forecast.
Calling of congress in extra session
before April l6, the day first chosen
for its assembly. still continues fore
most among the probabilities, but
there are no indications that MIR. Will
son had finally decided upon it. On
the other hand, there were some in
dications that the date OF, the session
would not be advanced.
May Cooperate With Entente.
Preparations for carrying out the
policy of armed neutrality to its full
est degree are being hurried in the
Navy department The possibilities
OF their execution range even to &C
tive cooperation at sea with the
British and French fleets to clean
submarines out of the shipping lanes.
1t was learned definitely before the
cabinet meeting that the president,
while considering deliberately all
phases of the situation, had not
finally made up his mind on any for
ward step beyond the active prepara-
ton Of the navy for any eventuality.
President Wilson is taking the po-
sition that at all events the pation
! must be placed in a better state of
preparedness because he believes that
from a practical standpoint Germany
is making war OIL this country.
The president is known to believe
that the objects he has in mind-the
establishment of league to preserve
future peacc-has been set far for
ward by the revolution in Russia.
The mmmurings against autocracy in
Germany are also being considered.
Attitude Of President. Il
No doubt remains in the minds OF
most officials that unless there is
some unlooked-for change before con-
gress meets the president will open
the extra session with an address
making clear the new position into
which he feels the United States has
been forced by Germany's ruthless
disregard Of American rights. He
may discuss universal military train
ing. - .,.
The indications before the cabinet
assembled were that there would be
no change in the situation before to-
morrow, although it was possible that
discussion, at the meeting might
lead the president to act at once.
Administration officials believe the
nation is already virtually in a state
of war with Germany and the only
question undecided is whether there
shall be any immediate, announce
ment of that status through a new
call for congress or otherwise.