Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-03
URGES CONGRESS
TO DECLARE STATE
OF WAR EXISTING
Wants to Employ All of Ma
tons Resources i'm Fight
ing Enemy.
FULL COOPERATION
WITH ALLIES FAVORED
His Address Is Dispassionate,
but Unmeasured Denuncia-
ton of Teutonic Course.
OUTLINES OBJECTS OF L. S.
No Doubt of Passage Of War Rcsolu-
tions, on Which Dchntc
Begins To-day.
OUTLINES OBJECTS OF L. s.

Ey Associated Prcss.l
WASfI1NGTON. April e.--prcsidcnt
Wilson tonight urged Congress. as
scmhled in joint session. to declare II
state Of war existing between the
United states and GERMANY.
In a dispassionate, but unmcasurcd
dcnunciation OF the course OF the im-
pcrial German government. which he
characterized as Il challenges to n IL man
kind and a warfare against all ma
tions. the President declared that neu-
trality no longer was feasible or de-
sirahlc where the peace Of the world
was involved; that armed neutrality
had become inetfectuai enough at best
and WAS likely to produce what IL was
meant tn prevent, and urged that Con-
gress accept the gag" of battle with
all the resources of the nation
II advise that the Congress declare
the recent course of the imperial Ger
man government To be in fact nothing
less than war against the govcrnmcnt
and people Of the United States" said
tho President, that it formally nc.
cept tho status OF bclligercnt which
has thus been thrust upon 1t. and that
II take steps. not only to put the couu-
try IN n more thorough state of de-
fcnsc, but also to exert all its power
and employ all its resources to bring
the government of the German empire
to terms and end the war
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED
TO PROPER COMMITTEES
When the President had finished
speaking. resolutions To declare Il state
OF war existing were introduced in
both houses OF Congress. referred to
appropriate committees, and Will be
debated tomorrow. There is no doubt
OF their passage.
The objects Of the United States In
entering tho war the President said,
were to vindicatc the principles OF peace
ana justice against selfish and au-
tocratic power" Without selfish ends,
for conquest or dominion. seeking no
indcmniticS, or material compcnsations
FOR the sacrifices il shall make. the
United states must enter the war tho
President said, to make the world safe
for democracy, as only one of the cham
pions Of tho rights of mankind and
would he satisfied when those rights
were as secure as the faith and free
dom OF nations could make them.
The Presidents address was sent in
full 10 Germany by a German official
news agency for publication in that
country. The text also went to Eng
land. and summary of its contents
was sent around tho world to other
nations.
STEPS TO CARRY on
EFFECTIVE WARFARE
To carry on an effective warfare
against the German government. which
he characterized as a natural foe TO
liberty the President recommended:
Utmost practical cooperation In
counsel and action with the govern.
mcntS already at war with Germany
Extension Of liberal financial credits
to those governments so that the re-
sources Of America may be added, so
far AS possible, TO theirs
organization and mobilization OF all
the material resources of the country.
Full equipment OF the navy, par
ticularly for means Of dealing with
submarine warfare.
An army OF at least 100000 men
based on the principle of universal
liability 10 service. and the authorize
ton of additional incremcnts OF 500
600 each as they are needed or can
be handled in training.
Raising necessary money for the
United states government. so far as
possihl" without borrowing. and on
The basis of equitable TAXATION
MI preparations. the President urs-
ed. should ne made in such way as not
I" check the flow Of war supplies 10
the nations already in the field against
Germany.
Measures to accomplish all these
cnds, the President told Congress,
would lie presented with the best
thought OF the executive departments
which vii! he charged with the con
duct OF the war, ana he bcsought con
sideration for them in that light
GREETED WITH OITBURSTS
OF PATRIOTIC ENTHUSItSM
President Wilson's appearance before
Congress WAS marked by "A scene OF the
greatest enthusiasm sesr shown since
he began the practice OF delivering his
addresses in person. Crowds on the
outside OF the Capitol checFed him
tranticaily as he entered and az he igf,
Congress roarcd cheer after cheer in
an outburst Of patriotic cnthusiasn.
From the galleries he only members
who appeared not To be Joining in the
demonstration were some Senator'S OF
the group which the President branded
as ''willful men" who. by preventing