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Wilson Asks War!
CONGRESS EXPECTED TO BACK UP THE PRESIDENT TODAY
President Calls On Nation to Bring German Empire to Terms and End War
Asks Congress for 500,000 Men for Starter and Whole Resources of U. S.
WASHINGTON, April 2—President Wilson tonight urged congress, assembled in joint session to declare a state of war existing between the United States and Germany.
In a dispassionate, but unmeasured denunciation of the course of the Imperial German government, which he characterized as a challenge to all mankind and a warfare against all nations, the President declared that neutrality no longer was feasible or desirable where the peace of the world was involved; that armed neutrality had become ineffectual enough at best, and was likely to produce what it was meant to prevent, and urged that congress accept the gauge of battle with all the resources of the nation.
"I advise that the congress declare the recent course of the imperial German government to be in fact nothing less than war against the government and people of the United States," said the President, "that it formally accept the status of belligerent which has thus been thrust upon it and that it take steps not only to put the country in a more thorough state of defense, but also to exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the government of the German empire to terms and end the war."
Congress To Act Today.
When the President had finished speaking, resolutions to declare a state of war existing were introduced in both houses of congress, referred to appropriate committees, and will be debated tomorrow. There is no doubt of their passage.
Our Cause.
The object of the United States in entering the war, the President said, are to vindicate the principles of peace and justice against "selfish and autocratic power." Without selfish interests, for conquest or dominion, seeking no indemnities, or material compensations for the sacrifices it shall make, the United States must enter the war, he said, to make the world safe for democracy, and would be satisfied when these rights were as secure as the faith and freedom of nations could make them.
The President's address was sent in full to Germany by a German official news agency for publication in that country. The text also went to England and a summary of its contents was sent around the world to other nations.
Work for All.
To carry on an offensive war against the German government, which he characterized as a "natural foe to liberty," the president recommended:
Utmost practical co-operation in counsel and action with the governments already at war with Germany. Extension of liberal financial credits to those governments so that the resource of America may be added so far as possible to theirs.
Organization and mobilization of all the material resources of the country.
Full equipment of the navy, particularly for means of dealing with submarine warfare.
Army of 500,000 And More.
An army of at least 500,000 based on the principle of universal liability to service and the authorization of additional increments of 500,000 each as they are needed or can be handled in training.
Raising necessary money for the United States government so far as possible without borrowing and on the basis of equitable taxation.
All preparations, the President urged, should be made in such way as not to check the flow of war supplies to the nations already in the field against Germany.
Measures to accomplish all these ends, the President told congress, would be presented with the best thought of the executive departments which would be charged with the conduct of war and he besought consideration for them in that light.
Greeted With Wild Cheers.
President Wilson's appearance before congress was marked by a scene of the greatest enthusiasm ever shown since he began delivering his addresses in person. Crowds on the outside of the capitol cheered him frantically as he entered and as he left.
Congress roared cheer after cheer in an outburst of patriotic enthusiasm. From the galleries, the only members who appeared not to be joining in were some senators of the group which the President branded as "wilful men" who by preventing a vote on the armed neutrality bill "had made the great government of the United States contemptible." Chief Justice White was among those who cheered loudly and there was no division in spirit between Republicans and Democrats.
Forced U. S. Into War.
Referring only briefly to the long diplomatic correspondence with Germany, the President launched into his denunciation of the course of the German government, which he declared had forced the United States to become a belligerent.
"The wrongs against which we now arm ourselves," he said, "are no common wrongs. They cut to the very roots of human life."
Disclaiming any quarrel with the German people and anything but a feeling of friendship and sympathy for them, the President declared their government had not acted upon their impulses in entering the war nor with their previous knowledge or approval.
Plots Show Menace.
It was evident, the President added, that spies were here even before the war began. That the German government means to stir enmities at the very doors of the United States was eloquently proved, he said, by the revelations of the plot to embroil Japan and Mexico in war with the United States.
Toward Germany's allies, the President said, the United States was taking no action at this time, because they were not engaged in warfare against Americans on the seas.
Expect Loyalty of All.
The United States, he said, was moving only against "an irresponsible government which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and of right and is running amuck." The President expressed his confidence in the loyalty of the naturalized citizens and declared that if disloyalty did lift its head it would only be from "a lawless and malignant few" and sternly would be suppressed.
With the renewed declaration that the nation must unselfishly act, only for freedom, peace, and humanity, the President left the question with congress.
While the President was speaking, word of the torpedoing without warning of the American steamer Aztec, the first American armed ship to be attacked in the barred zone, was passed from mouth to mouth, but the President did not know of it until he had finished.
U. S. On War Footing.
While congress works tomorrow on the war resolution, the cabinet will hold a war session to which Major General Scott, chief of staff of the army, and Admiral Benson, chief of operations of the navy, may be invited.
ELKS WILL STAGE PARADE TONIGHT
The Bisbee Elks' lodge tonight will stage the first big patriotic celebration put on in this city since the German situation loomed up in its most serious aspects. All members of the lodge will meet at the home at six o'clock this evening to participate in the first part of the celebration a big patriotic and preparedness parade through the main streets of the city. After the parade a patriotic meeting will be held at the Elks' home, to which families of Elks and visiting Elks are cordially invited to attend. Prominent speakers will address the lodgemen on every subject pertaining to the present crisis.
The Elks are anxious that as many citizens as possible be on the streets tonight while the parade is passing, to make the demonstration one that will prove that the Warren District will stand solidly behind the president and congress.
MR. LONDON WANTS PEACE
WASHINGTON, April 2.—A resolution requesting President Wilson to renew his suggestion to the European belligerents for a termination of the war was introduced today by Representative London of New York, Socialist.
WAR FRONTS QUIET
BERLIN, April 2.—"Aside from the engagements reported in the Somme-Oise district there have been no important events," says tonight's supplemental army headquarters report.
Congress Considers War Resolution Today
WASHINGTON, April 2.—Immediately after the president left the Capitol the senate and house reconvened, and an identic joint resolution was introduced in both houses declaring the existence of a state of war, and directing the President to employ all resources of the country to carry on war against the Imperial German government and bring the conflict to a successful conclusion.
Because of the opposition to the measure of Senator Stone, chairman of the foreign relations committee, the resolution was introduced in the senate by Senator Martin of Virginia, the Democratic leader. Representative Flood, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, introduced it in the house.
It said:
"Joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial German government and the government and people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same;
"Whereas, the recent acts of the imperial German government are acts of war against the government and people of the United States.
"Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States in congress assembled that the state of war between the United States and the imperial German government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and,
"That the president be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to take immediate steps not only to put the country in a thorough state of defense but also to exert all of its powers and employ all of its resources to carry on war against the imperial German government and to bring the conflict to a successful termination."
The resolution was referred to the foreign affairs committee by both houses, and adjournment until tomorrow followed soon after. Both committees meet tomorrow morning.
U. S. ARMED STEAMER AZTEC SUNK OFF FRANCE BY GERMAN U-BOAT; MANY AMERICAN SAILORS MISSING
NEW YORK, April 2.—The steamship Aztec, first armed American merchant vessel to sail from a port on this side of the Atlantic, was sunk last night by a German submarine off an island near Brest, France. The cable message from the American consul at Brest to her owners, the Oriental Navigation Company, gave no indication as to the fate of her crew. An Associated Press dispatch from Paris said, however, that while some of the men aboard the Aztec were rescued, a number of them were missing and probably had perished.
The Aztec, under command of Captain Walter O'Brien, was manned by a crew of seventeen, including the captain, were American citizens.
The Aztec's owners believe she had no chance to fight because she was sunk at 9:15 p. m. in a heavy sea. The vessel was armed with two 5-inch guns, one forward and one aft, manned by naval gunners, under command of a warrant officer.
The Aztec, a slow moving freighter of 3277 gross tonnage, steamed from New York for Havre March 18 with a full cargo of food stuff and general supplies valued at more than $500,000. She was due at Havre tomorrow and probably was less than 100 miles from that port when torpedoed.
PARIS. April 2.—French patrol picked up 19 of the crew of the Aztec. Twenty-eight men are reported missing.
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