Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-22

ashinston, March 21.--President Will
to-day met the constantly increa sing
oability of war with Germany by sum
ing Congress to assemble in extra
nary session Monday. Apri! .. two
rc the latest assault upon American
Is on the seas.
hen the President addresses Congress
IS expected to show how state of
actually has existed for some time
iuse Of the unlawful aggrcssions of
man submarines.
WHAT is EXPECTED.
ngress is expected formally to declare
ate of war existing. vote large slm,
,ably half a billion dollars. for ma
al defense, and clothe the President
authority to use the armed forces
the United States. as itSempowered
sident Mckinley to deal with the
ace of Spain in 1S9S.
ch action would not be a declaration
war except in technical sense. and
ther the United States and Germany
tally go to war In the fullest accepta-
of the term will depend on what the
erial government does before Congress
ssemblcd or after it acts
oRMANY MAY DECLARE FIRST.
espatches from abroad tonight de-
ing that the German government ex-
ed a state of war within the next IS
RS. placed an ominous aspect on the
ation.
ich to change the Presidents present
ntions or the course of the govern
I in the crisis may develop before
II :, The first American armed ships
by that time have reached the war
p. The ruthless destruction of one
hem unquestionably would he an act
var.
the other hand sinking Of subma-
by one of the armed merchantmen
pably would be met as an act of wal
Germany. Even the arming of Amer
ships with the avowed purpose OF
hiding them against 1'-boats may be
AIRED such an act
any of these events practically moth
would remain except for Congress
acknowledge state of war existing
certain specified date-probably
Sunday when three American ships
sunk with loss OF life.
c next ten days. until Congress,
is, will be days of tense anxiety, o
fr waiting and watching, fraught witt
Utilities Of tremendous consequence:
he United States.
1T is UP TO GERMANY.
esident Wilson and his advi,ers il
cabinet and in Congress Favc no in
ion that war shall be declared b,
United States. BY the hostile act
;erman submarines they believe tn,
rrial German government is actual,
ing war on the United States, an,
it shall be recognized as such
e. To meet such condition tn
ed forces of the country and all tn
onal resources are to be put in stat
fcadincss. Then, whether the natiol
enter the war in its full sense viii
md upon how much further German,
les her acts of aggression.
WILL BE DEFENSIVE WAR.
every sense, war, if 1t actuall
es, will be a defensive war, free fror
itions of spoils or territory in whic
United States, the President has pub
declared. shall want nothing for it
and shall seek only to preserve tn
is of civilization and humanity.
such a situation the United State
ht become an actual participant i
hostilities on the European cont
without becoming a political ally G
of the entente powers. simply castin
weight of men, money and moral in
nee into the battle against the com
enemy.
WOULD HELP THE ENTENTE.
le ports of the United States prob
would be opened to warships of tn
nte navics, credits from the vas
ks of gold. food, munitions and othe
erials might be extended to all tn
nte powers. The American navy prof
would cooperate with the Britis
French navies in clearing submarine
the seas.
PARTY LEADERS SUMMONED.
lrry calls for all party leaders
grcss went out to-day as soon as tn
sident announced advancement of tn
of the extra session With III
ace of war looming close ahead, pol
differences began to fade ava.
as to suggest that the fight for Of
zation OF the House be postpone
after the International situation ha
dealt with.
laying the whole situation befoi
gress the President is expected to d.
fully the warlike acts of German
inst the United States and to pa
ticular attention to the future Of III
erican government as the great col
draws to close.
is not improbable that he Will as
gress to declare a state of war exis
although there is some indication thu
may only outline the situation full
leave to Congress the action whic
ceepted as unavoidable, SO much ca
elop. however before congress al
hles that the Prss 'rrpiu
plans IN a tentative ION -eiman'
her acts. in the interim may thro
the plans away and accept the one
having forced the war.