Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1917 — WAR STATE TO BE THE VERDICT [ARTICLE]

WAR STATE TO BE THE VERDICT

President and Party Hold Final Parley On Message to Congress and Decide On Course. Washington, March 30.—The administration branch of the American government has determined definitely upon a course of action to meet the hostliity of Germany. While official announcement is withheld pending the appearance of* President Wilson before congress, formal recognition of the existence of a state of war is expected to follow soon after the extra session begins. The president, having decided on the principal features of the address to be delivered to a joint session of the house and senate, is putting the document in writing and today he had a iihaldiscussion withTus cabinet. • There is said to have been no difference of opinion in the cabinet on the great question. The president's advisers as well as official Washington have generally Ion?- since expressed it as a fact that war is actually

being waged against the U. S., Officials, believe that Germany is making war on this country because she has taken more than 240 American lives on the high seas, because she has destroyed American ships by the wholesale, because millions of dollars worth of damage has been done as a result of German plots in tne United States; she has attempted to set on foot a conspiracy w 1 th Mexico and Japan to dismember the republic, and finally because of the belief that Germany, triumphant, will constitute a future menace to the peace of the world in general and of the United States in particular. The United States, it is emphasized in offici?’ quarters, has not in the past and does not now desire war with the German people; but on the German -government responsibility is placed for terrorism on land and sea, which now that it has been directed against > American citizens and American interests, must be actively combatted. I Just what part the United ‘ States 1 will play is a question the government has yet to determine. This subject has been discussed generally within the administration, but the broad policy to be pursued will be developed only after the nation’s •status has been defined by congress and urgent defense steps completed.