Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-22
CALLS CONGRESS
TO CONSIDER WAR
ACTS OF GERMANY

Continued From Page One.)
fixed for the extra session-April !,
was announced today. The presi
dents mind finally was made up al
the result Of yesterdays cabine
meeting, at which practically unani
nous opinion was expressed that
while preparations TO put the natior
in full state of armed neutrality
we're going forward, congress--whicf
alone has the war-making power
should be summoned.
The president dcliberated on III,
question until late last night, ant
early today made his decision. He
chose April 2, because he thought il
would be impossible for all member:
Of congress to reach Washington
earlier.
Will Recite Overt Acts.
In his address at the opening Of
the extra session the president will
recite the overt acts committed
against the United States by Ger
many.
The sentiment in congress Is IN
derstood to be Overwhelmingly in
favor of a declaration that, as a re-
,ult OF Germany's acts against the
United States, state Of war already
exists.
a The foremost overt act which
brought the president to his decision
was the torpedoing without warning
OF the American merchantmen Vigi-
lancia with the loss OF fifteen lives,
some Of them Americans. -
Will Discuss Other Issues.
The president has not made Up his
program entirely for presentation TO
congress, but probably will also dis
cuss universal military training. The
Navy department is expected to call
for privately-ownedi yachts and large
motor boats for service against sub
marines. Tentative contracts for such
craft have already been negotiated in
many cases.
II is known that up to noon yester-
day President Wilson told close ad-
visers he still was of an open mind
on the question Of summoning con-
gress Immediately, but that he leaned
toward awaiting the extra :. session
called for April Is.
At yesterdays cabinet meeting,
however, several Of the members went
to the White House determined to
urge strongly on the president an ini-
mediate extra session, which they be-
lieved was demanded by the country
Those cabinet members who have
been classed as pacihst or with pa
cifist leaning, it was said, offered no
objections Of weight, and the presi-
dent. without giving any indication
OF his decision, merely heard what
every member Of his official family
had to say.
War Started by Germany.
Officials and diplomats have openly
acknowledged that a state of war be-
tween the United States and Ger
many has existed for some time, but
that the situation became most pro-
nounced last Sunday when three
American ships were destroyed BY
submarines in quick succession and
some American lives were lost.
Practically all the presidents clos.
est advisers at once made UP their
minds that Germany was actually con- |
Quoting war against the United States
and the situation must be met prompt |
~. The principal arguments brought
to bear against the United States TAX
ing a further step towi. d war were
that practically all that could be done |
TO protect American lives and ships
at sea had been done by the arming |
OF merchant vessels and that an
acknowledged state OF war between |
the two countries would give Ger
many an opportunity to carry its sub
marine warfare to this side OF the At |
iafitie. This latter was somewhat OF |
a secondary consideration, because the |
navy feels that ii is prepared to meet |
that feature Of the situation. II also
Is argued that having kept the country
out OF the war SO far, the president |
would be reluctant to enter il now,
when there are indications Of devotion.
rnents in Europe which OF themselves
promise to hasten the end Of the con-
fiict.
Cabinet Unanimous.
All these arguments were swept
aside, however. at yesterdays cabi-
net meeting, when on the opinion
described by members as the most
unanimous ever known in the presi-
dents official family, it was decided
that Germany's acts OF aggression
against the United States on the seas,
its ruthless destruction Of American
lives in contravention of all the prin-
ciples OF law and humanity had come
70 constitute state OF war being
made upon the United States and that
there was nothing left to do but cali
congress to deal with the question.
President Wilson, when he asked
for authority to arm Ameri-
IN merchantmen, declared that he
~ contemplating no step that would
-. d 49, - u