Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1917 — WAR IS PRACTICALLY DECLARED ON GERMANY [ARTICLE]

WAR IS PRACTICALLY DECLARED ON GERMANY

Wilson Asks Congress to Declare War State Is Now Existing— Official Action Today. Washington, April 2. —President Wilson tonight urged congress, asj sembled in joint session, to declare a I 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. . 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. ‘ The objects of the United States m entering the war, the president said, were to vindicate the principles of peace and justice against “selfish and autocratic power.” Without selfish ends, for conquest or dominion, seeking no indemnities or material °ompensations for the sacrifices it shall make, the United States must enter the war,' the president said, to make the world'safe for democracy, as only one of the champions of the rights of mankind, and would be satisfied when those rights were as secuer 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. The text also went to England and a summary of its contents was sent around the world, to other nations. . ~ To carry on an effective warfare against the German government, which he charactedized as a natural foe to liberty.' ’the president reoommendedz _. B 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 resources of America may be added, so far as possible, to theirs. Organization and mobilization at all the material resources of the country. Full equipment for the navy, particularly for means of dealing with submarine warfare. An army of at least 500,000 men, based on the principle of universal liability to service and the authorization of additional increments of 500,000 when they are needed or can be handled in training. * Raising necessary money for me United States government, so far as possible without borrowing and on the basis of equitable taxation.