The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-03-08
VOLUME 81, NUMBER 10
WOODROW WILSON NOW REC
OCNlZED AS WORLD LEADER
Chief Executive at the Nations Cap
itaI Begins Second Year of Second
Term in Fine Physical Condition
PRESIDENT HAS GREATER POW.
Err THAN MONARCH

out the following upon the completion
Of President Wilson's first year of his
second administration:
Under his administration the twelve
month period just ending is regarded
as one of the most important, if not
the most important, in the history OF
the nation. Within that time the
United States has gone to war with
two first class powers, Germany and
Austria Hungary; has begun relation
ships with other first class powers
that are to be reflected in world af-
fairs for many years TO come, and has
dashed aside many of the traditional
which many call proyincial-pOh
cies handed down by such men as
Washington, Jefferson and Monroe.
The evolution of President Wilson
personally is one of the most spectac-
ular incidents OF American history.
Within the year he has been trans
formed from a peaceloving peace
seeking idealist into a firm, determin-
ed commander in chief of an army and
navy that holds the power to bring
victory in the most stupendous and
hardest fought war the world has
ever known.
War Loomed as He Took Office
President Wilson, it viii be recall
ed, started on his second term with
a double Inauguration ceremony, one
in private on March 4, on Sunday, and
the other on March ;, with the Gus
tOmary celebration, bands, marching
troops and political delegations on pa
Tade The spirit of the Inauguration,
however, did not measure up to that
Of former years, for even then devel.
opments were transpiring so rapidly
that ii seemed only a question OF
weeks before the country would be
plunged into war.
Mr. Wilson on taking office, found
himself in a somewhat uncertain sit
uation. so far as congress was con-
cerned In the last days of the SEES
sion that ended just before he took
the oath a filibuster had been conduct
ed by what he called that day the
wilful little group" of senators who
held out against giving specific au-
thority for the arming of American
merchant vessels as a means of pro
lection against Germany's unrestrict.
ed submarine warfare.
Special Session Called
Germany had declared the new pol
icy the last of January and the presi-
dent almost Immediately afterward
announced TO congress that friendly
relations between the United States
and the imperial German governwent
had been severed. Confronted by the
bland declaration that every vessel OF
whatever nationality that dared TO-
approach the shores of the British
Isles or France would be sunk without
warning, in violation of all the rules
OF civilized warfare, the president
asked congress for specific permission
to place guns on board American yes
sells The house fell into line behind
the policy, but the senate. held up nv
Gum Shoe Bill Stone and a few 9th
ers whose sympathy seemed NOR,
with Germany than with the United
States, undertook to tie the pros,
dents hands
Mr.. Wilson. undau1tel and deter
mined that the honor Of ne nat n
should be upheld and that American
vessels should be permitted TO travel
the seas with means of protecting
themselves against Prussian piracy.
found a law which he interpreted as
giving the power to arm the vessels.
The country backed him m and about
the middle OF March the frst Ameri
can vessel started through he sub
marine zone heavily armed.
War seemed inevitable Two or
three American steamships went to
the bottom, hit by Prussian torpedoes,
and Mr.. Wilson Immediately summon
ed congress for an extraordinary SEES
sion. Both the senate and the house
acted promptly in declaring the ex-
istance of state of war with the i'm
perial German government, and tho
president signed the document on
April g.
Has Greater Power Than Monarch
Americas preparation for the war,
under the personal direction OF the
president, are the result of series
of some of the most remarkable laws
that ever have been put through con-
gress. The administration virtually
has obtained more authority than arv
other ever obtained, even in time of