The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-04
Submarine Menace Will En-
gage Large Part of America s
War Activities
FLEET WILL TAKE
OVER COAST PATROL
Land Forces of Nation VIII Be
Immediately Brought Up toI
100000 Electives Plan
Aid for Allies
BY T. r. SARTWELL.
International News Service StafT
CorTcSusHlde~uf


Washington. April 3.--War plans of
vast magnitude were today consid
cred by President Wilson and his ad j.
ytsers 8 they waited for congress TO
accede to the presidents demand for
the recognition of state Of war be-
tween the United States and the i'm
periai German government. Assured
by congressional leaders tina, despit @
opposition which cropped out in the
senate today the war resolution viii,
be enacted into law within a few days,
the president. his cabinet. the com =
Gil OF national defense and the chiefs
or the war making branches of the
government worked feverishly on
their projects for O successful prose
cution Of the impending struggle.
The plans for participation in the
war, 1t was stated after todays cabt-
net meeting. VIII follow these gen.
eral lines:
American Participation.
The defense of the nation itself.
Active and aggressive cooperation
with the navies and armies of the
allies, particularly in combating the
submarine menace.
Continued supply Of arms, muni-
tons and supplies 10 the allies over
The control and mobilization Of
supplies for maintaining the civil pop
ulation during the war.
The extension of financial aid to
the greatest possible extent to the
allies actively engaged in land war
fare IN Europe.
The president and his ca 5inet to-
day approved plans worked out by
the war department for bringing the
land forces OF the nation up 10 the
point recommended by President Will
son in mis- war address to congress
These plans contemplate An imme-
date army OF 100000 This num-
Der would bring the militia and the
, regular army UP TO war strength and
would provide the 100000 additional
men asked for by the president. The
plans, which will go to congress at
once, contemplate the raising OF the
necessary additional men by modi-
fed form OF universal military SER
vice They likewise contemplate ag-
sressive steps to officer this force with
trained men from the regular army.
the militia and the officers reserve
corps. As a start toward securing
additional officers. Secretary Baker
TODAY announced that the first class
az West Point 1913 men. will be grad
uated April 20 instead of waiting until
June.
Pl"n For <No-npcra ton.
The cabine, and presidents war ad-
Nisers likewise approved today plans
for cooperation between tho naval
forces OF the United States and those
OF the allies French Ambassado or
Jusserand conferred with Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy Roosevelt on
these plans late today. and British
Ambassador Spring Rice talked with
Counsellor Polk, OF the stste depart
mont AT the navy department II
was stated that u complete naval co
operation plan had been worked out
and would be made completely effec =.
tive Immediately upon the passage
by congress ~ the war resolution +.
was stated tha. the United States will
institute n complete patro, Of tho
Atlantic coast, thus relieving the al
lied fleet. which has been on patrol
duty just outside the three-mile limit.
from Haitfax TO Bermuda since the
beginning OF the war. A large part
of the allied patrol is of light cruisers.
especially valuable in fighting sub
marines. What American naval force
will be used in the war zone itself
the navy department declined 20
state. II was made plain. however,
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