The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-03-23
CONGRESS- CALL
AT ONCE LIKELY
Cabinet in Long Session Over
War Situation.
GERMANY WARS ON AMERICA

Cabinet Divided Only on Most Prac-
teal Means of Dealing Blow to Ger
man Sea Pretensions-Fifteen of
VigiIancia Crew Missing After Tor
pedo Attack.
WASHINGTON, d. C.-Gravely and
sOlemnly President Wilson and his
cabinet spent more than two hours re.
viewing the incidents of the German
submarine campaign which brings
the United States to the edge of the
great war in Europe. An added weight
of concern and apprehension lies over
Washington as the members of the
Presidents cabinet, shaking their
heads gravely, said that no change in
the attitude of the United States TO-
wards Germany had yet been order
ed. Under a pledge of secrecy the
members of the Presidents official
cabinet declined to discuss the result
of the days discussion. There was no
effort, however, to disguise the gravity
of the situation, and several members
of the cabinet have made it plain that
they believe that the events Of the
past few weeks have precipitated
Estate of war" between the two ma
tons.
May Summon Congress at Once.
From the White House came the
statement that a cabinet had thorough
ly discussed the entire international
situation, but believed that nothing
further could be said at this time.
Some members of the cabinet intimate
that the extraordinary session of con-
gress called for April 16 would be call
ed together at once, in order that the
President may have the legislative
branch of the government on hand for
any grim eventualities the future may
bring forth. 1t was stated that an an
nouncement on this phase of the sit.
uation may be expected at any time.
Neither the White House nor mem
bers of the cabinet, however, will ven
ture direct or positive statement as
to the probability of an extraordinary
session.
1t is learned, however, that this
whole question had been carefully con-
sidered by the cabinet, and that some
cabinet members believe that an i'm
mediate call for congress would be
construed by Germany as practically
a declaration of war. They advised
that the President await the conven.
ing of the extraordinary session call
ed for next month, and devote the in.
term to exerting every effort to has
ten the country's preparedness plans
through the navy department and the
war department. An immediate call
these cabinet members asserted would
give Germany an opportunity to strike
more vigorously at American shipping
before full preparations could be
made to meet an attack.
Country Already at War;
On the other hand several members
of the cabinet believe that the country
is already in state of war, and that
the serious nature of the situation
makes it practically imperative that
congress should be in Washington
ready to act at once in support of the
President 1t is understood that the
President himself feels that the full
power of the government should be
modified to confront the dangers
which have now become apparent to
every administration official.
Fifteen Americans Lost.
While the cabinet threshed over the
critical situation, the state depart
ment officially reports that fifteen of
the crew of the American ship Vigi-
lancia, sunk without warning, had
been lost Several of these were Amer
leans. The reports transmitted by Con-
sui General Skinner at London, were
sent at once to the White House
where the President and his advisers
went over them. 1t was stated that
the death list added materially to the
gravity of the situation, and that the
dispatches deepened the conviction of
the administration that the German
campaign of ruth1essness has become
intolerable.
Consul General. Skinner transmit
ted a report from the consul at Ply.
mouth. 1t described in detail the at
tack on the Vigilancia, saying the sub
marine fired two torpedoes at the yes
sci when she was las miles from the
nearest land The first torpedo missed
but the second was effective and the
ship sank in ten minutes.