100 years ago in The Saratogian
Tuesday, April 3, 1917
A U.S. Senator’s parliamentary maneuver delays an American declaration of war against Germany for at least one day, while The Saratogian’s emergency fund for local soldiers surpasses its goal today.
President Woodrow Wilson addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday to request a declaration of war in response to acts of war by German submarines against American shipping. Today’s paper reports the first German sinking last Sunday of an armed American merchant ship, the Aztec. The President ordered ships last month to arm and defend themselves against submarines had no prior warning of the attack. As many as 28 crewmembers are believed lost.
The Senate foreign relations committee has reported a war bill authorizing the President to “employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the reserves of the army to carry on the war against the Imperial [German] government.”
Senate leaders hope for immediate consideration of the war resolution, but antiwar Sen. Robert A. La Follette (R-WI) is one step ahead of them. By “demanding the regular order,” he forces the upper house to postpone consideration of the bill for at least one day. To protest La Follette’s action, Democratic caucus chair Thomas S. Martin of Virginia moves that the Senate adjourn until tomorrow and take up the war bill at that time. “I do not believe the Senate ought to proceed to any other business while this resolution is pending,” Martin says to stormy applause from the gallery.
In Saratoga Springs, The Saratogian’s fund for Company L has raised a total of $255.50 by the time this evening’s edition goes to press. That amount is equivalent in buying power to more than $4,800 in 2017 money. The fund will allow the Saratoga County company to purchase supplies not provided by the regular army.
“That the fund was raised so speedily is evidence of the generosity of Saratogians,” a reporter writes, “The money may be urgently needed at any time, now, and therefore is doubly welcome to Saratoga’s boys with the colors.”
Company L of the Second New York Infantry is currently assigned to police protective duty guarding roads and bridges in Schenectady County. Its exact location is a military secret.
Later tonight, local Masons meet to plan their contributions to the local war effort. These include forming a home guard, encouraging enlistments in the military and volunteers for civil patrols, and “rekindling and encouraging patriotism.”
Another proposal under consideration is to convert local hotels into convalescent hospitals after the summer racing season, so an expected stream of wounded soldiers “may enjoy the salutary advantages of Saratoga Springs.”