Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-03
Congress Listens to
President Wilson

ftion for supplying needs of the allies.
I'VE have no quarrel with the Ger
man people," was another remark
which received an enthusiastic recep-
ton. Mention of the recent overthrow
Of the Russian monarchy brought low
cheers.
| Wave after wave of cheers met the
Presidents reference to German spies
infesting the country and his sugges-
ton Of a partnership of Democratic
nations in the cause of peace.
Senator Stone. sitting in the second
row. rested his head on his hands and
listened with grim face.
A particularly vociferous outburst
greeted the declara ton that If there
should be disloyalty it will be dealt
with by a firm hand and stern repres-
sion"
| The most noticeable interruption
! came near the end when in the midst
of a declaration that it was Fearful
thing to lead this great peaceful peo-
pie into war" Mr.. La Toilette cleared
his throat twice sharply. Persons on
the floor and in the galleries were
quick to note the interruption, but the
| President read on steadily.
AS the President finished every per-
stn on the floor and in the galleries
rose and shouted. Most of the senators
unfolded flags they wore in their upper
outside coat pockets and waved them
d, vigoi ously.
After the President had completed
his address, Senator Lodge shook his
hand warmly and said:
mir, President you have expressed
in the ,ofticst manner possible the
sentiments of the American people
The President went Immediately to
! Speaker Cidrk's room, and after brief
! talk with the members of the commit
tee accompanying him, returned to the
White House with members of his
fanily and Col. E. NJ. House. AS he
left the capitol he was cheered enthu
siastcally and another crowd awaited
him "a the White House gates.
Resolution Introduced
Immediately after the President left
the capitol the Senate and House re-
convened and an identic joint reSolu-
ton was introduced in both houses
declaring the existence of a state of
a state of war, and directing the Prcsi-
dent to employ all the resources of the
country to carry on war against the
Imperial German government and
bring the conflict to a successful con-
clusion.
Because of the opposition to the
measure of Senator Stone, chairman
OF the foreign relations committee, the
resolution was introduced in the Sen
ate by Senator Martin of Virginia. the
Democratic floor leader. Representative
Flood chairman of the foreign affairs
committee, introduced it in the House.
The resolution was referred to the
foreign affairs committees by both
houses and adjournment until tomor-
row followed soon afterward. Both
committees meet tomorrow morning.
The resolution follows:
Joint resolution, declaring that a
state of war exists between the I'M
perial German government and the
government and people of the United
States and making provision to prose-
cute the same:
| "WhereaS the recent acts of the I'M
perial German government are acts OF
war against the government and peo-
pie 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 war between the United
States and the Imperial German gov
eminent which has thus been thrust
upon the United States is hereby
formally declared, and
THAT the President be, ana he is here
by authorized and directed to take i'm
mediate steps not only to put the coun-
try in a thorough state of defense. but
also to exert all of its power and em-
pIoy all of it's resources to carry on war
against the imperial German government
and to bring the conflict to a successful
termination
Prompt Action
Senate administration leaders planned
to have the foreign relations committee
promptly report the war resolution at to-
morrow mornings meeting if possible
and bring it before the Senate without
waiting for action by the House. Sena-
tor Hitchcock. ranking Democrat of the
committee, probably will manage the de-
bate as the spokesman for the majority,
as Senator Stone of Missouri chairman,
has announced his opposition to the meas
ure.
Prompt action also is expected of the
House under special rule limiting de-
bate may begin there tomorrow after
| noon. The House tonigh. adopted a res
| olution by Chairman Fitzgerald of the
appropriations committee providing for
the suspension of the rules at any time
| within the next 10 days to pass the sun
! dry civil. army. general deficiency and
Military Academy appropriation bills
which failed at the last session.
! great crowd assembled at the White
House when the President left for the
capitol A reserve corps of police was
called out but there was no disorder.
Patriotic songs, including my Country
IT'S of Thee THE Star Spangled Ban
ner," Yankee Doodle and Dixie.
stirred the crowd to a high pitch of pa
triotism which broke into wild cheering
when the President appeared.