Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

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destroyed by submarines and in pas.
sionate terms called on the govern.
ment not to conduct a "half war"
Senator Vardaman, democrat, OF
Mississippi, was the first to announce
he would vote against the war resolu-
tion. He was followed by Senator
Stone, who announced his opposition,
but, like Vardaman, pledged his sup
port to the war when it is begun.
Norris Blames Newspapers.
Senator Norris, republican. of Ne
braska, told the senate he was "bit-
terly opposed to the United States en-
sering the war;" but did not fatty
state that he would vote against the
war resolution.
Wall street interests, Senator Nor
ris asserted, are interested in profting
from the United States entering the
war. He also declared large num-
Der OF newspapers and news agencies
have been controlled and enlisted in
the greatest propaganda that the
world has ever known to manufacture
sentiment for war"
Senator La Toilette, who yesterday
forced the resolution over until today,
was not in the chamber when Sena-
tor Hitchcock got unanimous consent
to take it up.
Almost every other senator and
many house members were present
when the debate began.
Hitchcock's Opening Statement.
In a brief opening statement, Sena-
tor Hitchcock, in charge Of the reso-
luton, said the present was a time
for action, not discussion
"The time for discussion has
passed." he said. "The president has
already stated clearly, effectively,
most conclusively, the reasons which
make this grave step necessary. The
resolution provides for war against
the imperial German government. 1t
is framed on the lines of other war
resolutions. 1t places responsibility
for the. war squarely upon the
shoulders Of the German government,
charged with repeated acts of war
against the United States. 1t is also
unquestionably declaration OF war.
II am impressed with the solemnity
OF the occasion. Some may be filled
with joy at the prospect OF war. To
| me it is depressing and dreadful. The
enormous cost which the people must
pay, the great increase in the cost Of
living, the enormous burden of taxes
the people must bear and the still
greater heritage OF death stagger my
mind. The awful sacrifice of lives
that must follow sickens my heart. |
am sure many other senators feel as
! do.
For Justice and Liberty.
1--WE want no more territory" said
Senator Hitchcock. "We will de-
mand no indemnity. We have no his
toric grudge to settle nor racial antip.
athy. In this respect we diffeI from
the other countries already involved
in this awful struggle. There is Pan
Slavism against n-Germanism. Italy
wants back the Trentino, France its
lost provinces; Great Britain has Ger
man commerce and German colonies
almost in its grasp; Russia wants Con-
stantinople, and Germany. besides its
place in the sun, wants to dominate
Europe.
"We Of all nations will spend our
treasure and our blood and sacrifice
our lives without the thought Of pos
sibility Of gain. We are going to war
to vindicatc our honor and indepen-
dence as a great nation and in defense
Of humanity. Such quarrel as we
have with Germany is not of our
choosing. II was forced upon us and
we did much to avoid it. For nearly
three years the president congress
and the American people have hoped
to avoid it. But one desl crate act by
the imperial German government has
followed another. ! do not mean to
say Germany has desired war with US.
do not believe that. But the i'm