Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1917 — VOTE FUR WAR WITH GERMANY [ARTICLE]

VOTE FUR WAR WITH GERMANY

Resolution Passed ty House by Vote of 373 to 50. PRESIDENT SIGNED MEASURE Measure Approved by Lower Branch of Congress After More Than Sixteen Hom's of Debating. 'Those Voting Against Resolution. The 50 representatives who voted against the resolution were: Almon, Bacon, Britton, Brown, Burnett, Cary, Church, Connolly (Kan.), Cooper (Wis.), Davidson Davis, Decker, Dili, Dillon, Dominick (Wash.), Frear, Fuller (III.), Haugen, Hayes (Cali.), Hensley, Hilliard, Hull (la.), Igoe, Johnson (S. D.) Keating, King, Kinkaid, KitchIn, Knutson, G llette, Little, London, Lundeen, McLumore, Mason, Nelson, Randall, Mias . Rankin, Reavis, Roberts, Rodenberg, Shackleford, Sherwood, Sloan, Stafford, Vandyke, Wheeler, Woods (la.), Bleakley, Esch. Washington, April G.—War was declared against Germany by the United States at 8:14 o’clock this morning. The joint resolution already adopted by the senate passed the house of representatives by a vote of 373 "to 50. This action of congress, the branch of the government holding the warmaking power, is a declaration of war, and needs only the signature of the speaker of the house, vice president and president of the United States to complete the official act. 100 Speeches Made. There were 100 speakers who addressed the house on the* resolution during the 167 2 hours of its continuous consideration —one of the longest, continuous sessions in the history of the body. Signed by Speaker Clark. As soon as the house had adopted the war resolution the engrossed copy was signed by Speaker Clark and the house adjourned until Monday to allow the various committees to meet to frame war legislation. Vice President Marshall will sign the resolution as soon as the. senate meets at noon today. Miss Rankin Refuses to Vote. There were 49 against tire war resolution unofficial when Representative Rankin’s name was. called again. She rose and said: “I want to stand by my country, but I can’t vote for war.” She appeared very nervous. , The clerk of the house announced Miss Rankin us officially recorded as voting “no.” Rep. Varc Defends Resolution. . Representative Vare of Pennsylvania inuife a vigorous speech for the resolution, in which he sid'd: “If we’ve got a wishbone where our backbone ought to be we will vote against this resolution arid wish for peace. But if we’ve got a backbone where a backbone ought to be we will vote for this resolution and fight for peace.” In one of the most brilliant speeches of the debate Representative Sherley ofKentucky declared that the United States could not stultify itself by swallowing the insults which Germany has offered to American citizens on the seas'. He declared that Prussianism has forced this war. upon the country and he called upon every patriotic American to join with the president in the fight for democracy against autocracy. ’ No Attempt at Filibuster. The floor and galleries cleared almost immediately, the members glad of the chance to get away for rest before another trying day and the great volume of work to be faced in providing the sinews of war and making laws governing and guarding the resources of the country. There was no attempt at a filibuster although Congressman Britten exhausted every parliamentary resource to obtain further consideration of his amendment preventing f troops from being sent abroad except by a further act of congress. As this would have delayed approval of the resolution it was voted (lown'by the full strength of the majority. Wilson to Sign Resolution. The senate meets at noon and the bill will be in the hands of the president early in the afternoon for the final act that will bring on war between the two great nations—the United States and the imperial German empire. An attempt by Chairman Flood of the foreign affairs committee at seven o’clock last night, after an all-day debate, to have an agreement reached to Have the committee of the whole rise at eight o’clock and' report the resolution , with a view to early action was blocked by Speaker Clark. The speaker declared everybody should have a right to speak, and that the

nouse siioufd remain in session air night if necessary. Kitchin Deserts Wilson. The greatest surprise of the day came in the opposition to the resolution of Democratic Floor Leader Kitchiii. After but a few minutes’! notice Kitchin made a speech attacking the measure, in which he said ho was not sure that the United States, if in Germany’s position, would nob adopt the same course she has taken. lie admitted that the resolution would be passed. “I have prayed for guidance.” he said. “I have reached the conclusion that I. must vote against this resolution.” Representative Heflin of Alabama bitterly attacked Kitchin, declaring, that if he had made the speech made! by the floor leader he would resign. At nine o’clock general debate closed! and discussion under the five-minute 1 rule began. Chairman Flood’s suggestion that! all debate dose at 11:45 o’clock brought a storm of “noes.” Some members expressed a desire to reach a vote before midnight before Good Friday arrived. “We can stay here until sunup if necessary,” Speaker Clark assured members who feared they would not have an opportunity to speak. Republican Floor Leader Mann, in a speech Indorsing the resolution, paid u tribute to the courage of those who opposed the measure, and especially to Representative Kitchin. Flood Opens Debate. Debate began promptly at ten o’clock yesterday morning, with Chairman Flood of the foreign affairs committee making the opening statement.' Galleries were only half filled when debate began and less than half of the members were present when tha session opened. Under the unanimous consent rule by which the resolution was. being considered, Representative Flood could move the previous question at any time after one hour and, if sustained, bring the measure to a vote. \He was disposed, however, to give members every opportunity to speak throughout. the day and the debate began without any limitation. “War Is being made upon our country and its people,” Representative Flood said in opening. “Our ships are being sunk. _Our noncombatant citizens, including men, women and children, are being murdered, our merchantmen are denied the freedom of the seas. There is no choice as to our course. We are compelled by the acts of the German government to enter into this most collosal war. . Says People Will Rally. “The time for argument has passed; the time for heroic action is here and our people will rally to the support of their government in this high and patriotic hour and meet war’s sacrifices and war’s perils as a brave and patriotic people should. “We should take our stand by the side of the allied nations, who havo been fighting humanity’s, battles for two and one-half years, determined that °nr power shall be so employed that complete victory shall crown their efforts and that Prussian militarism shall be crushed,and the world shall be delivered from the threat and danger of the Hohenzollern dynasty,” Harrison Scores Pacifists. Representative Harrison, Democrat, of Mississippi, assailed pro-Ger-ihaq sympathizers and pacifists. First expressions of the opposition came from Representatives Cooker and Stafford of Wisconsin and Representative Britten. Republican, of Illinois, while Mr. Flood was recounting German violations of American rights which, have led up to the war resolution. “Wouldn’t the. English mines In the North sea destroy American lives?” Representative Cooper asked. “To date England never has sunk one of our ships or destroyed an American life,” Mr. Flood said. Applause Greets Reply Loud applause greeted the reply. t Representative Cooper launched into a defense of pacifists generally, and himself particularly. Mr. Cooper closed with the declaration that while all would stand united when war comes, hfe would not be one to vote to plunge the country into war. Representative Foss of Illinois, Republican, declared the issue was the defense of American rights on the high seas and the American flag. He said that when war came the German-born American would be as loyal and patriotic, as the American-born. Representative Britten declared he' was not a pacifist in any sense, but was opposed to the resolution. Representative Igoe, Democrat of Missouri, s announced that he would vote against declaring war because he thought his people desired that he should. "" “With the passage of this resolution, however.” he said, “my opposition will cease. I will vote for every measure to help carry on the war.” Representative Lenroot, Wisconsin, Republican, said he would support the resolution because not to do so would mean “that we will submit to Germany warring on us without using force to

prevent u. • While Representative Borland of Missouri was speaking Representative Flood interrupted to announce to the house the sinking of the unarmed American steamship Missourian without warning and probably with the loss of American lives. Former Speaker Cannon, supporting the resolution, said this was no time for partisan discussion; that the United States was not ready for war how, but must prepare at once.