the
following dispatch--this method of communication being the usual one
between the executive and legislative branches of the Government:

The President has the honour to communicate to the House of
Representatives the following proposal. Since the severance of
diplomatic relations with Germany, Germany has continued to violate
the rights of the neutral nations and to damage and cause losses in
life and property to our people as well as to trample on
international law and disregard principles of humanity. For the
purpose of hastening peace, upholding international law and
protecting the life and property of our people, the President is of
the view that it is necessary to declare war on the German
Government. In accordance with Article 35 of the Provisional
Constitution, he now asks for the approval of the House, and
demands--in accordance with Article 21 of the Provisional
Constitution--that the meeting in the House be held in secret.

On 8th May, after hearing a statement made in person by the Premier, the
House of Representatives in secret session referred the question for
examination to the House sitting as a Committee in order to gain time to
make up its mind. On the same day the Senate sat on the same question. A
very heated and bitter discussion followed in the upper House, not
because of any real disagreement regarding the matter at issue, but
because a large section of Senators were extremely anxious regarding the
internal consequences. This is well-explained by the following written
interpellation which was addressed to the government by a large number
of parliamentarians:

We, the undersigned, hereby address this interpellation to the
Government. As a declaration of war on Germany has become an object
of the foreign policy of the Government, the latter has held
informal meetings to ascertain the views of parliament on the
question; and efforts are being made by the Government to secure the
unanimous support of both Houses for its war policy. In pursuing
this course, the Government appears to believe that its call for
support will be readily complied with by the Houses. But in our view
there are quite a number of members in both Houses who fail
thoroughly to understand the war decision of the Government. The
reason for this is that, according to recent reports, both foreign
and vernacular, the Government has