San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 93, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 3, 1917 Page: 1 of 18
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Garden I lose
iiar'IK htol'k, quick shipment,
San Antonio Machine & Supply Co,
KAN antonio,
coiuth ciiniiTi
I Iocs—Rakes—-Forks
POTATO HOOKS, OAltllKN WKBMUBB
F. W. HEITMANN CO.
HOUSTON
VOLUME LI I—NO. 93.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 3, 1917.
-EIGHTEEN PAGES.
ESTABLISHED 186:
WORLD
SAYS PRESIDENT
PARIS, April 2.—The American sleamer Aztec has been sunk by a subma-
rine near an island off Brest. Some of the crew were rescued and are being
brought into Brest. A number of the men are missing and little hope is held
that they can be saved, as the steamer was torpedoed at night while ti heavy
sea was running.
William Graves Sharp, the American Ambassador, was informed this aft-
ernoon by the French government of the torpedoing of the Aztec and immedi-
ately cabled the State Department.
Representatives of the American Government will proceed to Brest to take
the depositions of survivors of the disaster.
French ipatrol picked up nineteen of the crew of the Aztec.
Hjr ABnociatfd Prew. , „ , „ , .
NEW YORK, April 2.—The Aztec sailed from New \ork March 18 for
Havre. She was commanded by Captain Walter O'Brien. Sixteen members of
the crew were native-born Americans.
The Oriental Navigation Company, owner of the Aztec, also owns the
Orleans, one Of the first American vessels to run successfully Germany's sub-
narinc blockade. The Aztec carivcd a full cargo of foodstuffs and general sup-
plies valued at more than ^500,000.
The Aztec was armed with two 5-inch guns, one forward and one after. The
crew of naval gunners on board was in command of a warrant officer.
The Aztec, formerly owned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, was
a ship of 3,727 tons gross and 2,342 tons net. She was built in Newcastle,
England, in 1894. She was 350 feet long with a beam of 43 feet.
Iiy AsMO"iateil Preia.
WASHINGTON, 0. <\, April L\- French
admiralty dlKputcbcM to tho French em-
1hin\v her<» touigty unnounclnK the sinking
without warning 0i the first mined Anierl
f*an merchantman, the? freighter Aztec, by
a Herman submarine. Haiti apparently
Lieutenant Fuller Graham and twelve
American bluejackets, constituting the
armed guard of the vessel, had been saved,
but that wcveii of the crew were reported
missing.
The guard with tlie captain and three
other members of the crew in the second
bout to put off apjwrently were picked up
by the Frenth patrol boat Sirrlus after
three hours. Eleven men are thought to
have been drowned when the first bout to
put off was smashed. The third boat, con-
taining the second officer nnd eighteen
men. Is not directly accounted for, but
the fact that only eleven are reported miss-
ing leads to the belief that It must have
been picked up.
The admiralty report said the Aztec,
bound from New Yo*k to Havre, was
torpedoed without warning yesterday off
(MioHsant.
The torpedo strmk squarely amidships
emitting 11 powerful gas and putting the.
wireless out «>f commission.
WAY CLEARED FOR
I
U.S. OUTLINED IN
CO-OPERATION WITH GOVERN-
MENTS AT WAR WITH GER-
MANY IS ASKED.
DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION OF
HOUSE ACCOMPLISHED BY
' NARROW MARGIN.
lut jriiational Newu Service.
WASHINGTON. l>. April 2.—The
War Congress was organized today by the
Democratic mirty and the way was cleared
tonight for immediate legislative action to
support President Wilson iu • hostilities
with Germany. The Oemoeriitle organiza-
tion of the House was accomplished by a
narrow margin, with the aid of four Repre-
sentative-, elected us Independents.
The Senate, with a safe Democratic ma-
jority, had already been organized in the
special session of the upper house belli
Id arch fi.
The election of speaker Champ Clark
ami other House officers, the adoption of
Democratie House rules and the election of
the House committees kept the House buny
from noon until well Into the evening,
when arrangements were completed for a
Joint session of both houses to hear Presi-
dent Wilson's war address.
The session was marked by sombre,
business like earnestness, as the represent-
atives of the people confronted a legisla-
tive decision tliut may throw the Cnited
States Into the maelstrom of war which
for three years has couvulsed Murope. Dem-
ocrats and Republicans Joined in patriotic
declarations even as they fought for parti-
san organization of the House. *
The defeat of Republican header .lames
It. Mann fur Speaker was accomplished by
the defection of three Republicans from
his standard and the decision of the ^de-
pendents to give the House control of the
administration. The vote for Clark was
HIT; Mann, Representative Lenroot of
Wisconsin, 'J; Representative Gillette of
Massachusetts, 'J. Clark received tiie votes
of 'Ji:t Democrats, Representative Sehali of
Minnesota, Progressive, Representative
London of New York, Socialist; Randall of
California, Prohibitionist, and Martin ot
Louisiana, Progressive Protectionist.
Lenroot received the votes of Gardner
of Mawichusetts. Republican, and Fuller
of Massachusetts. Progressive-Republican.
Representative Gillette received the votes
of Representatives Dalllnger of Massachu-
setts, and Gray of flew Jersey, Republi-
cans. Two Republicans. Representatives
Haskell of New York and James of Mich-
igan voted present. Three Republicans
Continued on Page Two, Column Two,
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 1 To carry
on an affective warfare against tho Ger-
man government, which he characterized
as a "natural foe to liberty," the President
recommended:
Ctinost practical co-operation In counsel
ami 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 us 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 war-
fare.
An army of at least 500,(KM) men 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 l nlted
States Government so far as possible with-
out borrowing and on the basis of equita-
ble taxation.
All preparations, the President urged,
should be made iu such way as not to
check the flow of war supplies to the na-
tions already iu the fleln against Ger-
many.
Measures to accomplish all these ends,
the President told Congress, would be
presented with the best thought of the
executive departments, and he besought
consideration for them in that light'
President Wilson's appearance before
Congress was marked by a scene of the
greatest enthusiasm ever shown since he
began the practice of delivering his ad
dresses in person. Crowd* on the outside
of the Capitol dieered him frantically as
he entered and ns 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 the
demonstration 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 of spirit between Republi-
cans and Democrats. Referring only brief-
ly to the long diplomatic correspondence
with Germany the President launched Into
his denunciation of the bourse of the Ger
man government which he declared luid
forced the United States to become a bel-
ligerent.
"The wrongs against which jve now
arm." ho said, "are no common wrongs.
They cut to the very roots of human life."
Disclaiming any quarrel with the German
people, or anything but a feeling of
friendship ami symnathy for them, the
President declared their government had
not acted on their impulses In entering the
war nor with their previous knowledge or
approval
In scathing terms the President referred
to German plots agnlnst the United States.
The "whole force of the Nation." If
necessary, the President declared, would
be spent against this "natural foe to
liberty" and to "check Its pretcnslous and
po®7®* *
FirstAmerican Armed ShipSunk Congress Prepares or Declaration Today
Steamer Aztec Struck
by Torpedo; I! Men of
Crew Missing, Report
Armed Guard Saved by French
Patrol Boat—Attack Oc-
curs Oft French Coast
. #
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4 *Y Ac A %
'Vv:'
* **
* - •
| > te •*
*
hoto Copyright I'nderwood & Underwood.
THERE are, it may be. many months or fiery trial and sacririce ahead ot us. It is a Tearful thing to lead this
great, peaceful country into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilisation itself seeming
to be in the balance, but the right is more precious than peace and we shall fight for the things which we have always
carried nearest our heart—for democracy, for the right ol' those who submit to authority to have a voice in their
own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion or right by such a concert
or Tree people as shall bring peace and sarety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such ». task
we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything (hat we are and everything that we have with the pride of those
who know that the day has come when America has been privileged to spend her blood and her might Tor the prin-
ciples that gave her birth anil happiness and the peace w hich she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no
other.—President Wilson's address to' Congress.
G
WILSON IS GIVEN GREATEST
OVATION OF HIS
CAREER.
By Atisociuted Preso.
WASHINGTON. D. C., April 'J. The
President reached the Capitol about H:40.
As his idg motor swung around before
the east front of the building two troops
of the second regiment* cavalry on guard,
sabers glittering tinder the arc lights,
swept the ida/.a clear while the hundreds
of people cheered. He was taken at omc
to the Speaker's room ana then Into the
House chamber, where the Senators were
just filing in. Bis members of the Hu
preme Court who had taken seats in front
of the Speaker's Jdand, stood and faced
about.
The President entered amid deafening
cheers. Never had he been greeted as he
was tonight. It was noticed that Senators
La FolleUe, Stone and Cummins, who
helped defeat the armed neutrality bill In
the last session did not join In the up-
uUuse. Senator La Follette stood with
s German, Aged 60, Held
for Threatening Life \
of President Wilson
Hjr AMofintr.il Pruts. ,
CAMDEN, N. J., April 2.—Tech-;
nically charged with threatening the j
lire of President WilHon, Edward A.1
Simmers, 07 years old, a German j
was held under $20,000 bail for fur-1
ther hearing Wednesday by United;
States Commissioner Jolin here to- <
day. In derault of bail Simmers was [
demanded. i
According to Philadelphia secret \
service operatives, who arrested i
Simmers last Saturday near Wood-]
bine, N. J., w here he was employed I
as a scientific farmer, the man had 1
bitterly given expression to remarks !
regarded as detrimental to the safety 1
of the President. Simmers, it is said.!
declared that "if he had a bomb he 1
) would go to Washington and blow |
S the President's head off."
arms crossed unit head sunk over Ms
cheat. Senator l,ane, another of the group,
Continued on rage Two, Column Two,
iL\i.
LI
ACTION ON REVENUE BILLS IS AS-
SURED FOLLOWING WIL-
SON'S ADDRESS.
Ry Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. D. C„ April 2.—Within
ten minutes nfter President Wilson hnil
finished Ills address to Congress tonight.
Chairman John I'ltigerald of the Appro-
priations Committee, Introduced a resolu-
tion whlrh Immediately was passed calcu-
lated to give mllllnna of dollars to the
Administration for war purposes.
His resolution provides that within the
next ten days the House shall, tinder ,i
auapenslon of rules, take action on fout
great revenue hills- the sundry civil, gen
oral deficiency, army appropriation ami
military academy appropriation—all of
which failed of passage In the Sixty fourth
Cong rean
DECLARES AMERICA
MUST ACCEPT GAUGE
GIVEN BY GERFJANY
7
——__
U. S. Object to Vindicate
Principles of Peace
and Justice.
Urges Country Take Steps to Bring
German Government to Terms and
End European Conflict.
By Anfioelatfd Press.
I yifJASHINCTON, D. C., April 2.—President Wilson tonight urged Con-
J * gress, assembled in joint session, to declare a state of war existing
i between the United States and Germany.
In a dispassionate, but unmeasured, denunciation of the course of the im-
| perial German government, which he characterized as a challenge to all man-
t kind and to warfare against all nations, the President declared that neutrality
mo longer was feasible or desirable where the peace of the world was involved,
that armed neutrality had become ineffectual enough at best and was likelv
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 couisc of the imperial Ger-
| man government to be in fact nothing less lhan war against the Government
1 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
1 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
I of the German empire to terms and end the war."
When the President had finished speaking, resolutions to declare a stats
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 in entering the war, the President said,
were to vindicate the principles of peace and justice against "selfish and auto-
cratic power."
Without selfish ends, for conquest of dominion, seeking no indemnitiea
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 as only
I one of the champions of the rights of mankind and would be satisfied when
j those rights were as secure as the faith and freedom of nations could make
I them.
The President's address was sent in full to Germany by a German official
i news agency for publication in that country. The text also went to England
| end a summary of its contents was sent around the world to other nations.
Toward Germany's allies the President said the United States was taking
no action at this time, because they v/ere not engaged in wir against Americans
on the seas.
The President expressed his confidence in the loyalty of naturalized citi-
zens and declared that if disloyalty did lift its head it would be only from,"a
lawless and malignant few" and sternly suppressed. With a renewed declara-
tion that the Nation must unselfishly act, only for freedom, peace and hu-
manity, the President left the question with Congress.
While the President was speaking word of the torpedoing without warning
of the American steamer Aztec, the tirst 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.
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.
The Nation is on a war footing, declaring war upon no other; only girding
itself to take up the gauntlet that had been so ruthlessly thrown down.
Text of President'8 Message
President Wilson spoke as follows:
"I have called the Congress into extraordinary session because there ire
serious, very serious choices of policy to be made and made immediately
which it was neither right nor constitutionally permissible that I should as-
sume the responsibility of making.
"On the third of February last I officially laid before you the extraor-
dinary announcement of the imperial German government that on and after
the first day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law
or of humanity and use its submarines to sink evefy vessel that sought to
approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts
of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within
the Mediterranean. That had seemed to be the object of the German sub-
marine warfare earlier in the war but since April of last year the imperial
government had somewhat restrained the commanders of its undersea craft
in conformity with its promise then given to us that passenger boats should
not be sunk and that due warning would be given to all other vessels which its
submarines might seek to destroy when no resistance was offered or escape
attempted and care taken that their crews were given ot least a fair chance
to save their lives in the open boats. The precautions taken were meager and
haphazard enough as was proved in distressing instance after instance in the
progress of the cruel and unmanly business but a certain degree of restraint
was observed.
"The new policy has swept every lestriction aside. Vessels of every
kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their
errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom without warning and without
thought of help or mercy for those on board, the vessels of friendly neutrals
along with those of belligerents. Even hospital ships and ships carrying re-
lief to the sorely bereaved and stricken people of Betgium though the latter
were provided with safe conduct through the prescribed areas by the Ger-
man government itself and were distinguished by unmistakable marks of
identity have been sunk with the same reckless lack of compassion or principle.
"I was for a little while unable to believe that such things would in fact
be done by any government that had hitherto subscribed to the humane prac-
tices of civilized nations. International law had its origin in the attempt to
set up some law which would be respectjd and observed upon the seas, where
no nation had right of dominion and where lay the free highways of the world.
By painful stage after stage has that law been built up with meager enough
results, indeed after all was accomplished that could he accomplished but
always with a clear view at least what ;he heart nnd conscience of mankind
demanded.
"This immune right the German government has swept aside under the
plea of retaliation and necessity and because it had no capons which it could
use at sea except these which it is impossible tfl employ as it is employins
them without throwing to the winds all scruples of humanity or of respect
for the understandings that were supposed to underlie the intercourse of tho
world.
"I am not now thinking of the loss of the property involved, immense
and serious as thai is, but only of the wanton and wholesale destruction of
the lives of non-combatants and men, women and children engaged in pursuits
who have always, even in the darkest periods of modern history, been deemed
imocent and legitimate. Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and
innocent people cannot be.
"The present German submarine warfare against commerce i* a waftut
Continued on rag* Two, Column Ihr.a,
,i 4
. A, MM
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San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 93, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 3, 1917, newspaper, April 3, 1917; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth433965/m1/1/?q=j+w+gardner: accessed June 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.