Evening star., 1921-04-15

President went to tho Capitol and
discussed the situation with mem-
bers OF the Senate committee on for
eign relations and other senator's He
was assured Of their support in any
steps he considered necessary.
returned to the Navy Depart
ment so thoroughly convinced hostili-
ties were imminent that I sent out
the following telegram: 'Six Alnav.
In view OF present International sit
uation take every precaution to pro-
tect the government plants and ves-
sells"
"Alnav' was the code word for "All
the Navy"
pass now to the second Of the two
pre-war cabinet meetings which had to
do with big decisions. Much happened
between February 2 and March 20 OF
absorbing interest and Importance. but
will reserve the telling Of it for a
subsequent article.
March 20 Fateful Date. ID
Tuesday. March 20. has been over
looked in the war chronologies so far
as l have observed. But the day
should be there and underscored as
a day fateful for America and man
kind.
Eleven days earlier the President
cial session April 1s ito receive such
communication as may be made by
the executive"
But events were moving rapidly.
Four American vessels had been sunk
without warning the Algonquin,
lancia-with the loss OF American
lives. German U-boats were destroy
ing shipping. neutral as well as bel.
ligerent, by the hundred thousand
tons. March IL we had begun arm
ing merchantmen. but 1t was already
sv~e VS<,en Ant
Should Congress be called in ses-
sion at an earlier date?
If SO, what message should the
President send in view Of the situa-
ton?
These were the two vitality Import
ant questions the meeting OF March
20 was called to answer.
Wilson Explains situation.
With an even greater solemnity
lowing the receipt Of the u boat note.
the President set forth the serious
character Of the situation. He told
what had been done to protect Amer.
ican lives; he reviewed the failure Of
these measures to insure absolute
security; he seemed disinclined to
take the step which would allow no
recall, but, with a sort Of detachment
from the emotional phases Of the
problem, he submitted it to the cabi-
net ana invited An 1nOlVluudl ca
preston OF opinion.
There were those present who had
been ready for some months to enter
the struggle: there were others who,
sharing the eagerness Of the Presi-
dent to protect American rights: II
possible without recourse to war. had
come reluctantly to the decision that
there was now nothing left to do but
to defend those rights with the full
power Of the nation whatever cost II
might involve.
It was curious to listen to man
after man present his views. Z Every
man Of the ten was making Tor the
same goal, the same terrible but in
escapable objective, and every man
approached it by different path.
Only One Course Open.
The arguments varied: the measure
of emotion varied; but in the end ten
men looking into the eyes OF the
President Of the United States said to
him there was only one course open
to America-she must throw tne .ae
weight Of her great power against
the character of war that was being
waged by Germany.
Ten men said it to the one man who
would bear in heaviest measure the
burden Of that decision.
And the one man who never evadeo
responsibility shared the view OF his
associates, and put his shoulders un-
der the burden. From that hour he
bore it with unfaltering courage. In
! the end it broke his health. but 1t
never broke his spirit.
Decision to call Congress in session
April 2. instead Of April IL. was quick
ly reached in the light OF bigger de-
cision.
It was when these matters had been
settled that a member of the cabinet
read aloud a sheaf Of kilograms con-
veying the impression that the peopie
Of America were clamoring fori war.
and 1T was in response to this display
of feeling that the President spoke
narrative. y
~ want to Do Right" =
I'VE are not governed by opinion in
| our conclusion" said he. II want te
do right, whether 1t is popular or not.
The next morning the President is-
| sued his proclamation summoninG
jmunication by the executive on grave
j questions Of national policy. which
| should be taken Immediately under
consideration" =
| In the meantime. returning from
| the cabinet meeting to the Navy De.
| partment, I had ordered the feet tc
l proceed at once from it's maneuverina
| ground in Cuban waters to Hampton
| roads. II war was coming we wanted
our ships nearer home. But the de.
tails which have to do with the Navy
lprogram in these imm Mediate pre-wal
days belongs to another story.
Copyright. t9e1, BY John r. Ollie. Copyrsh
| BY National Newspaper Service. Copyright II
Great Britain. Canada and throughout Europe
All rights reserved. including translation int
4 foreign languages. including the Scandins vian
Unauthorized reprintins for any purpose fos
bidden.
(The third article by former Secre.
tary Daniels. telling Of the mobiliza
}tion Of the Navy. will be printed IL
The Star fomorroWl