The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-21
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fore in the history Of this country
assumed.
Possibility of averting open hostili
ties with Germany appear to have
been killed.
The presidents decision was based
Oh a strenuous appeal from the coun'
try for revenge for Germany's killing
Of American citizens and destruction
|of American property in contraven,
ton OF all international law. Inc
presidents course marks the end OF
his constant efforts-efforts which
have been alike strongly commenced
and bitterly conference.-the keep TINS
country at peace even with Germany
in order that 1t might perform the
greater service" Of restoring reason
to warmad Europe.
In reaching his conclusion to lay
before the congress the grave proDiesn
Of determining upon this govern
ment,s national policy toward Ger
MANY. the president brought to an
end a struggle for peace-not only
with his advisers but with himself
perhaps the most dramatic in history.
Holding out against arguments Tor
positive warlike action until the last
the president was loathe to take
course which he believed might De
con stfued as forcing the issue
Appeals were made to him by his
cabinet and through hundreds OF teie-
grams from people Of the country that
aggressive action was demanded nm
mot only for the sake OF
Americas conscience, but Tor the
sake of the peace of the world.
In this connection, 1t is recalled that
President wilson about year ago DE-
eiaTssd To sonie off his advisers that ne
had reason to believe if the United
States entered the war actively, there
would be termination OF the struggle
within few months.
HIS advisers told him within the last
hours that to assume now
a positive stand against Germany
would be to encourage the new Rus
sian government, hearten the allied
troops in the field, perhaps create an
demand in Germany LOT
the oYer.hrow Of the ansocracy there
and bring lasting peace to the world
vastly nearer.
1t became known today that In the
past few weeks many kilograms anu
much of the advice that have gone 10
the white house have counseiled upon
war, and have been frank in declara-
lions that a high note OF PATRIOTISM
must be sounded at once: they nave
declared this to be no time for wait
ing to hear from the country Tney
have declared the country has need
now of a leader who must tell the
country and the people what they must
do; they have declared it is finally up
to the president Of the United States
to decide on active steps against Ger
MANY and German military and naval
The country wants no
timidity over the question will the
country want me to do this?'
This in effect is what the president
has been told by his closest and most
trusted advisers and councillors. In
effect 1t was what was told to Presl-
dent Wilson at the cabinet meeting
1t was in the face OF such over
whelming sentiment that the presi-
dent today decided not to wait even
the fourteen more days until April
sixteenth, the date he had set In q
former proclamation for an extraordl-
nary session.
wilson's action OF today is inter-
preted by some OF his cabinet as mean
ing the president at last has lost the
last vestige of patience and hope that
the war chasm might ultimately be
bridged.
Many Of them, at first knowledge OF
the news believed SPECIFIC deciara-
tfon of actual hostilities inevitable.
Surface impressions OF high Off
Gals today were that President VIII
son and Secretary OF War Baker
shortly may confer with war college
heads and Senator Chamberlain re-
garding the best form OF universal
service to urge before congress.
There will be powerful congress
sfonal pressure brought to bear Tor
q adopting at once such land defense
program.
Heads of the militia division of the
war department, while unusually
close mouthed today. showed similar
activity to that displayed in that
branch Immediately preceding the
presidents mobilization of the ma
tional guard for border duty.
AS land defense matters now
stand, military heads have for weeks
openly condemned a condition tnat
gives them what many believe Is an
insufficient force even for protection
os some of the most important and
strategic army buildings, railway
bridges and tunnels. etc, unless each
state is called upon to furnish state
troops for protection OF such property
within their respective borders.
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