Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1917 — PRESIDENT PREPARES FOR WARLIKE ACTION [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENT PREPARES FOR WARLIKE ACTION

Expect Definite Indication From Wilson That War State Exists — Secretary Daniels Acts. Washington, March 19.—President Wilson is expected within the next forty-eight hours to indic..te definitely that lie believes a virtual state of war exists between the United States and Germany. News received from Plymouth that fifteen men, som e of them Americans, had been drowned when the American mcrchantan Vigilancia was sunk without warning by a German submarine, added, if possible, to the already grave view of the situation held here as a result of the destraction of the Vigilancia, the Illionis and the City of Memphis. Whether the president will hasten the extra session of congress already called for April 16, or will take additional steps to protect American commerce without this move was not disclosed tonight. No official pretended to know his plans, and the general view was that he was considering the question in his usual deliberate way. A cabinet meeting will probably be held tomorrow afternoon and at that time the situation arising out of the new acts of aggression on the part of Germany is expected to be thoroughly canvassed. Preparations for aggressive action to protect American rights began today, when the president visited the navy department personally and directed Secretary Daniels to utilize the $115,000,00(1 made available by congress to hasten naval building plans. The New York navy yard was directed to begin the construction- of sixty submarine chasers and announcement was made that bids for 200 more will be opened Wednesday. Throught the early graduation of two classes at Annapolis and the mobilization of forces, it is proposed to make it possible to, man quickly all ships of the navy/ . The question also was taken up of getting into communication informally with Great Britain and France to discuss co-operation in the protection of commerce lanes across the Atlantic. This step probably will not be taken until the cdurse of the United States has finally been determined. —ln addition to his conference with Secretary Daniels, the president saw Secretaries Lansing and McAdoo and William Denman, chairman of the federal shipping board.