New Britain herald., 1917-04-04
AMERICAN CITIZENS
 IN LONDON HAPPY
Many Hasten to Consurs Office
 to Proffer Services

London, April 4.-Americans in London felt a thrill of patriotic pride over the news from Washington that President Wilson had taken up the guage against Germany. Everywhere that Americans met in the metropolis they expressed themselves enthusias- tically over the act of the president which meant that America was enter ing the war. In hotels and clubs, everywhere Americans congregated, only one voice was to be heard. and that of the heartiest support for the president in. the step he had taken. The bulletin boards in the hotels an- nounced the news received over the ticker. and crowds surrounded them all day long. Thank God! We're going into this fight was the uni- versal expression.
 Americans who had felt months ago that the president had failed to act quickly enough in face of Germany's lawless conduct on the seas were to- day heart and soul with him in right of his stirring war message to Congress.
 At the American embassy and con- sulate excitement ran high. Ambas- sador Page was called upon by many prominent Americans who wanted to shake his hand as the representative of the president, who had taken a step to put America on the side of right :n the fight against Prussian militarism. They wanted to tell him that they were eager to go back to America and take up arms if the country needed them. All day long the embassy was kept busy answering telephonic in- Quiries as to the latest news from Washington.
 100 Offer Their Services.
 Fully 100 Americans called to see Consul General Skinner. to urge him to send their names to Washington as of men ready to offer their services. Weeks ago MT. Skinner started a list of Amsricans who were anxious to do military duty. This list has more than 500 names on 1t. and when war is declared MT. Skinner will cable it on to Washington.
 The spirit of those calling at the embassy and consulates was one of supreme confidence that Americas going into the war would tend to shorten 1t.
 At both offices cables were received in the course of the day from the state department. keeping the officials informed as to developments. At the foreign office intense satisfaction was expressed over President Wilson's message, which was described as marked by patriotism and the loftiest idealism. While there was nothing of an official character to be given out there, it was suggested immediately after the declaration of war 1t was to be supposed that America would designate representatives to meet the other allies to determine upon the precise steps for the most practical aid to be given in warfare by sea and land. It is expected here that the Washington government will send conveys to London where they will confer with representatives of all the Allies.
 The American Chamber of Com merce held a meeting at which 1t put itself at the disposal of the American government to serve it's interests in the war in any possible way.
 There was stirring scene in the afternoon when the orchestra struck up ''The Star Spangled Banner" The crowd of 300 in the tea room at once arose and remained standing until the music stopped. Americas national air was heard in nearly every hotel and many theaters for the first time since the war began.