Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-03

Washington, D. c., April 2-Speaker
of 217 to 205 over his republican oppon-
ent, Representative Mann, as the first
step in organization of the house OF
representatiyes-the necessary prelim-
mary to the delivery of President Will
sons war address.
With the reelection Of Speaker Clark
It seemed certain that President Will
son would deliver his address late this
afternoon.
1t is expected on every hand that he
will ask congress to declare that a
satet4 AZ Mar6exists between the United
States assS Z. siSrmany. "
/ This seemed so certain that Chair
man Flood Of the house foreign affairs
committee, the administration spOkes-
man there, prepared a resolution to de-
clare state of war and authorize the
president to act.
The resolution follows:
Whereas, the recent course OF the
imperial German government is in fact
nothing less than war against the gov
eminent and people of the United
States;
Resolved, by the senate and house
Of representatives of the United States
OF America. in congress assembled,
that the state Of belligerency between
the United States and the imperial
German government, which had thus
been thrust upon the United States is
hereby formally declared, and,
"That the president be and he is
hereby authorized to take immediate
steps not only to put the country in
thorough state of defense but also to
exert all of it's power and employ all of
its resources to carry on war against
the imperial German government and
to bring the conflict to a successful ter
mination."
Pray for Patriotism.
The house opened with Clerk South
Trimble presiding.
The chaplain prayed for patriotism.
Diplomacy has failed he prayed.
Moral suasion has failed. Appeals to
reason and justice have been swept
aside.
1--WE abhor war and love peace, but
II war has been or shall be forced up
on us, we pray that the heart of every
American citizen may throb with pa
triotic feeling and that united people
may rally around our president to hold
ur his hand in every measure deemed
necessary to protect the lives of Amer.
ican citizens and safeguard our inheri.
tance."
Nearly the entire senate was pres.
ent when Vice President Marshall call.
ed for order After the invocation, the
presidents proclamation was read.
The senate chaplain also referred to
the problems confronting congress-.
Amid the confusion and violence of
the world today we cannot know the
things that may shortly come to pass
he prayed. Lead us, o God, through
the darkness until the dark dawns and
shadows fee away. Grant us courage
to defend the truth. At this critical
time in the history of our country, lead
these, thy servants. in plain path and
inspire them with lofty principles"
Clark Takes Seat.
All Of the democrats present and
four OF the so-called independents. Mar
tin, progressively e-protectionist of Louisi
ana :~Schall, progressive of Minnesota;
London, socialist Of New York and
Randall, prohibitionist Of California
voted for Clark.
Two republicans. Gardner and Fuller
Of Massachusetts,. voted for Lenroot.
Dallinger Of Massachusetts and Gray
OF New Jersey voted for Gillette and
James Of Michigan and Haskell Of New
York republicans, voted present.
The speaker was escorted tt
the chair by committee Of which Rep
resentative Mann was the chairman
He was greeted with applause from
both sides OF the chamber. He said:
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