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Show HALF MIlilON ' I1IIIED President Urges Immediate Organization of an Army for Defense. Asks Congress to Declare State of War Existing Between United States and Germany in Addressing Address-ing Special Session. Washington. President Wilson has asked congress to declare a state of war existing between the United States and Germany. While the news of the submarining of the steamer Aztec the first American armed ship to sail into the war zone was being told from mouth to mouth in the cap-itol, cap-itol, the president, appearing before the house and senate in joint session on April 2, asked congress to recognize recog-nize and deal with Germany's warfare on America. The president said war with Germany Ger-many would involve practical co-operation with the governments now at war with Germany, including liberal financial credits. The president urged the organization of an army of at least 500,000 men, chosen "upon the principle of universal liability to service." ser-vice." No action was being taken against the Austrian government and the other nations allied with Germany. Ger-many. The president reached the capitol about 8:40. As his big motor swung around before the east front of the big building two troops of the second sec-ond regular cavalry on guard, sabers glittering under the arc lights, swept the plaza clear while the hundreds of people cheered. He was taken immediately imme-diately to the speaker's room and then into the house chamber, where the senators were just filing . in. Six members of the supreme court who had taken seats in front of the speaker's speak-er's stand, stood and faced about. The president's entered amid deafening deaf-ening cheers. Both sides joined with a will. The president spoke slowly at first, then faster than usual. His voice was clear and grew stronger as he proceeded. pro-ceeded. It was a very serious and quiet audience. audi-ence. Not until the president declared, "we will not choose the path of submission" sub-mission" did liis audience applaud. These words drew shouting and hand-clapping. hand-clapping. No attempt was made by Speaker Clark to curb it. Scarcely had the sounds of this demonstration died away when the president declared that the Congress should declare that a state of war existed ex-isted and a second demonstration began. be-gan. Representative Caldwell of New York first rose to his feet and yelled. Every one of the supreme court Judges stood. Chief Justice White smiled and vigorously clapped his hands, as did - Justices Pitney and Clarke. Should , Assist Allies. Declaration by the president that this country should help the allies until un-til the end of the war also was productive pro-ductive of cheers. By far the greatest great-est outburst, however, came when the president declared for an army of 500,-000 500,-000 men selected on a universal serv- j ice basis. Chief Justice White was one of those who joined most heartily heart-ily in the hand-clapping at this point, which lasted nearly a minute. Applause also greeted the declaration declara-tion for supplying needs of the allies and also the statement that principles of peace and justice should be vindicated vindi-cated against autocratic power. "We have no quarrel with the German Ger-man people," was" aaother remark which received an enthusiastic reception. recep-tion. Mention of the recent overthrow of the Russian monarchy brought loud cheers. Wave after wave of applause met the president's reference to German spies infesting the country and his suggestion of a partnership of democratic demo-cratic nations in the cause of peace. A particularly vociferous outburst greeted the declaration that "if there should be disloyalty it will he dealt with by a firm hand and stern repression." repres-sion." The most noticeable interruption came near the end when, in the midst of a declaration that it was "a fearful fear-ful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war," Mr. La Follette cleared his throat twice sharply pcr sons on the floor and in the galleries were quick t te the Inte? but the president read on steadily As the president finished everv nor-son nor-son on the floor and in the gaileries arose and shouted. Most of the sen Mors unfolded flags they wore in their upper outside coat pockets and waved them vigorously. P"LKets aU(1 |