Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1917 — WAR MEASURE PASSES IN HOUSE [ARTICLE]

WAR MEASURE PASSES IN HOUSE

Measure Easily Passes House and .Now Awaits Signature of the President —U. S. Primed. The resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the United States and Germany, already passed by the senate, passed the house shortly after 3 o’clock this morning, by a vote of 373 to 50. President Wilson will sign tihe resolution as soon as Vice-President Marshall has attached his signature in the senate. It formally accepts the state of belligerency forced by German aggression and authorizes and directs the president to employ the military and naval forces and all the resources of the nation to bring war against Germany to a successful term i nation. Without roll calls the house rejected all amendments, including proposals to prohibit the sending of any troops over the seas without congressional authority. Passage of the resolution followed seventeen hours of debate. There was no attempt to filibuster but the pacifist group under the leadership of Democratic Leader Kitchin prolonged the discussion with speeches declaring his conscience would not permit him to support the president’s recommendation that a state of war be .declared.

Miss Rankin, of Montana., the only woman member of congress, sat throughout the -roll call with bowed head, failing to answer to her name, twice called by the clerk. On the second roll call she arose and said in a sobbing voice: “I want to stand by my country', but cannot vote for war.” For a moment she remained standing supporting herself against a desk and as cries of “vote,” came from several, she sank back into her seat without voting audibly. She was recorded in the negative. Cheers greeted the announcement of the result. A few minutes later Speaker Clark signed the resolution and then the house adjourned to meet again Monday and take up the administration recommendations for war legislation.