The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-07
SEN ate PASSES
DECLARATION OF
War; HOUSE WILL
FOLLOW EXAMPLE
Less Than One Hour Con-
sumed in Debate on Aus
trian Resolution
NO OPPOSITION v,
VOTE RECORDED
La Toilette Absent-Gron-
na, Norris and Varda-
man Vote eyes"
(By Associated Press. }

(By Associated Press.)
Washington, Dec. Z. - With less
than one hours debate the senate to-
day passed the resolution declaring
war on Austria-Hungary.
The resolution was adopted by the
senate unanimously "A to 0. Sena-
tors Gronna, Of North Dakota, Nor
ris of Nebraska. and Vardaman, of
Mississippi. who voted against the
German war declaration, supported
the resolution. Senator La Toilette,
or Wisconsin. left during the speech
making, and did not cast his vote.
Chairman Stone, OF the senate
foreign relations committee. present.
ed the war resolution and moved its
immediate adoption.
Besides the reason that Aus
tria Is Germany's active ally and as
such has committed warlike acts
against the United States, Senator
stone declared there was the further
reason that inasmuch as Italy,
France and Belgium comprised one
battle front, American troops might
at any time be facing Austrians.
senator Stone made no references
to Turkish or Bulgarian relations.
In this great world struggle, said
Senator Stone, "alI men know OF the
intimate and apparently indiasoIubIe
relation between the governments of
Germany and Austria Hungary. In.
the progress of events ii has become
manifest that the United States is
inevitably as much at war with Aus
tria-Hungary as with Germany. In
the circumstances Ii Is impossible
that amicable relations between the
two countries should be continue
ed. 80
I'm the prosecution of the war
German and Austro Hungarian
troops are co-ordinated and CO.
operative. The United States Is
sending troops and supplies to aid
the entente allies including vast
sums to finance the entente allies.
Where Countries Meet.
"The United States is supporting
italy as well as England, France and
those countries in like manner are
supporting the United States in the
war, they are all waging against the
imperial German government. At
that point the United States meets
Austria Hungary and Austria Hum
gary is supporting Germany. The
two nations are in close contact and
in open coalition in the conduct OF
the war.
Aside from acts of aggression and
Hungarian government against the
United States which in itself the
committee declares to be sufficient
cause for war, 1t Is manifestly inn
possible that the United States and
Austria should be at peace while
Germany and the United States are
at war. The state of actual war al
ready exists between Austria and
the United States. 1t is better for
us and for the world that this great
fact should be recognized and acted
upon affirmatively and authoritative
ly. National honor and national
interests alike demand that this gov
ernment should assume an attitude |
OF dignity, sincerity and commanding |
firmness in its international rela-
tions."
Debate In House.
Debate In the house was opened |
by Chairman Flood, of the foreign |
Affairs committee. He asked the
house to pass the resolution unani-
mously. The declaration, he said, 1
was essential to the welfare of the /
allies, and further, that Austria in an /
and ruthless submarine /
warfare had sunk American ships /
and murdered American citizens.
"This Is war, war by Austria up
on this country" said Mr.. Flood.
"Our nag has. been insulted, our
territorial integrity invaded, the
lives OF our citizens taken and to
submit would bring irreparable in
Jury, loss and suffering to our peo-
pie. We should accept the gage OF
battle from Austria. just as we did i
from Germany. Let as pass the
resolution speedily"
There was every indication that
the resolution would pass in thel
house with only one dissenting vote
London, Socialist.
Members were SO sure of 1t that they
deserted the chamber in droyes, to
escape the speech making and return
ater for the voting.
After the house acts the two
will be recOnciled or one
for the other.
Resolution Passes House.
Washington, Dec. THE war dec
aration against Austria was passed
Jy the house late today.
Some time after the voting was
lver in the senate, La Toilette re-
urned 70 the senate chamber and
announced that he would have voted
against the Austrian war declaration
lad he been present. unless IL had
leen amended to provide that the
United States would not be a party,i
% any agreement to take any ter
-itory held By Austria prior to Aug.
/. 1914.
Ne An