Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-12

Washington. April 6.-The United states
to-day accepted GerInany's challenge to
war and formally abandoned its place as
the greatest neutral Of a world in arms.
President Wilson at 1:1S (official time)
O'Clock this afternoon signed the resolu-
tion of Congress declaring the existence
of state Of war and authorizing and
directing the chief executive to employ
all the resources OF the nation to
prosecute hostilities against the German
government to successful termination.
The act was done without ceremony
and only in the presence Of members Of
the Presidents family. Word was flashed
Immediately to all army and navy sta
lions and to vessels at sea. and orders
for furthr precautionary steps withheld
until the last moment were dispatched.
BY proclamation the President an
bounced the state of war. called upon all
citizens to manifest their loyalty and
assured Germans in this country that
they would be unmolested as long as they
behaved themselves. Orders were issued
boon afterward for the arrest Of 90 ring
leaders in German plots and intrigues.
Complete mobilization Of the navy. CALI
ing all reserves and militia to the colors.
was ordered by Secretary Daniels as soon
IS the war resolution was signed. The
,
virtually every step contemplated before
Me raising of real war Is authorized,
waited on Congress.
The President went over all Of the great
preparatory measures with the cabinet.
discussing that has been accomplished
md dwelling. 1t is understood, upon ar
Engagements for cooperation with the en-
tente allies against the common enemy.
Plans for cooperation are said to have
laken very definite shape. though there
will be no announcement on the subject
for the present.
The seizure Of German ships laid UP in
American harbors was the subject Of in
terested comment. and legal officers of
the question Of whether the United States
can connscate the ships outright or must
pay for them after the war. In any
event. ~ soon as they can be made sea-
worthy the fine merchant fleet thus &C
uuired will give America a merchant ma
rine that could not be duplicated in sew
eral years and add moro than 100000 to
the tonnage available for the transporta-
ton Of supplies and munitions to the
allies.
Word that King George and Presi-
p dent Poincare had dispatched messages
OF congratulation to the President was
received unofficially. Only unofficial
.informationn, also, came concerning
the action of President Menocal OF
Cuba, in recommending a declaration
Of war against Germany by Cuba, and
the growing sentiment for war In
Brazil.
Foreign relationships Of the United
States to-day underwent the greatest
change in the country's history, sweep
ing away practically all the interna.
tional questions Of the past two years
and substituting entirely new prob
lens. At result, the state depart.
ment 10 being entirely reorganized and
the great mass Of routine which hal
overwhelmed even the highest officials
10 to be redistributed along new lines
The first act by the department wher
war became a fact was to prepare copie'
Of the war resolution and proclamation
for all the foreign missions her fol
immediate transmission to their govern
ments. Cables we're sent to American
missions abroad and full mail dispatches
prepared to go forward at once. So mucl
Of this work had been foreseen that !
merely awaited relase on word that tn
President had signed the proclamation.
e Instructions prepared several days az
/, were sent to the treasury department t
, cease transmitting details of the arma
ment and armed guards on merchantmel
entering American harbors on the groun
that henceforth no restrictions Will b
! placed On such vessels. Announcement
Will be made shortly that allied war YES
p, sells have been given admission to Ameri
can harborG 1t Is probable. however
= that with the seizure of German shippin
e here and the enlistment Of the Amer
: can navy in the patrol forces, the entent
will withdraw virtually all warcraft fror
this side Of the Atlantic.
Negotiations are now practically com
pleted for the admittance Of America
armed ships into neutral European hal
b bors. All European neutrals are sxpecte
to receive them. except possibly HOLLAND