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Show OPENING SPEECH ABLEJESSAGE Nearly Every Member of Congress Con-gress Voices Approval of Address. amvvi IUMMENTS Little 'Too Idealistic," But Thorough American Message From Beginning to End. WASHINGTON, Dec. -l.-Approval of President Wilson's declaration of war on Austria -Hungary was voiced by practically every member of congress con-gress who commented upon it. "It was the greatest the president has ever delivered," declared Chairman Chair-man Chamberlain, Democrat of the senate military affairs committee. Chairman Stone of the senate foreign for-eign relations' committee did not hear the address, being at the war department depart-ment on business, but announced his approval. Senator Smoot Praises Speech Senator Smoot, Republican, said he thought the president's discussion of relations with Germany was "too idealistic,", ideal-istic,", but added: "from the recommendation recom-mendation of a slate of war against Austria -Hungary to the end It was an American message." "It was the ablest message Mr. Wilson Wil-son has ever delivered," said Senator Underwood, Democrat. "It sounded the keynote upon which we must win the war." Acting Republican Leader Gillette of the house and other Republicans said they regretted the president did not Include Turkey and Bulgaria. Would Declare War on All "I don't share the president's distinction dis-tinction between Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria and Turkey," said Representative Represen-tative Longworth, Republican of Ohio. "I think we ought to declare war against all three." Speaker Clark and Democratic Leader Lead-er Kitchen said they would not discuss the message until they had had time to read it carefully. "The recommendation for a declaration declara-tion of war against Austria," said Democratic Leader Martin of the senate, sen-ate, "is in sympathy with the wishes of a great majority of the American people." LaFollette Declines to Talk. Senator LaFollotte declined to comment, com-ment, r "Any comment of mine wijl be given giv-en on the floor of tho senate," he said. Vice President Marshall made this comment: "I have slowly gravitated to the conclusion that, regardless of any overt ov-ert act against our government, whatever what-ever power assists our enemv is against us and that fact justifies" extreme ex-treme measures upon our part, I am Willing tO follow OUr COirmiandnr.m. chief when he says 'forward and if. for reasons which he may not safely make public, he bids us standstill I am willing to stand so long as it may be possible to do so. Some time medieval me-dieval Europe will he modern enough to catch American ideas and uproot autocracy with a vengeance. The sooner it comes the better." Best State Paper Given. Senator Harding, Republican, said: "It is the best state paper we have had. It fairly expresses the intelligence intelli-gence of the American people especially especial-ly In defining our war aims." Pro-Germans Decline to Comment. Senator. Gronna, Republican of North Dakota, who voted against the German war declaration, . declined to comment as did Senator Hardwick, Democrat, of Georgia, who opppsed' the draft law. "The present anomalous situation with respect to Germany and her allies al-lies is absolutely demoralizing," said Speaker Clark later. "Of course there ought to bo a declaration of war against Austria as tho president recommends. rec-ommends. The same course should bo adopted as to Turkey and Bulgaria. It Is ridiculous to fight one-half of an army and not the other half." |