Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-08

Washington, Fef '. The steady stream of reports telling of the destruction of merchant ships by Ger man submarines was brought to a cli- max tonight by a cablegram to the state department from Consul Frost at Queenstown announcing that the Brit ish liner California had been torpedo ed without warning and that an Amer ican was among the survivors.
 May Prove 10 Be Overt Act.
 Whether this will prove to be the overt act to drive theN United States into war no one would attempt to say tonight. President Wilson, who must make the decision, had retired when the news came and officials did not wake him Late in the afternoon he had been informed of a messag ge from Consul Frost telling of the sinking of the California, but giving no detai5s as to warning or the presence of Amer jeans.
 The president will unaoubtedlx wait for comGlete reports on the disaster fefore determining whether the time has come for kim to go to congress to ask authority ito use any means that may be necessary for the protection of our seamen and our people,
 One Death, 30 Hospital Cases.
 The consuFs first report said there was --one death and thirty hospital cases" among the more than 200 peo- pie on board the liner. The second added no information concerning cas- ualties except that the survivors were landed at Queenstown tonight among them being John A. Lee of Montgom- cry. Ala. the only American known to have been aboard and that some still were missing. including two women and several children. Lee is suppos- ed to have been a member of the crew as his name does not appear on the passenger list made public at New York
 Score of Merchant Vessels Sunk.
 The fact that the American .escap- ed iessened in a degree the excitement caused by the news, but only in a degree. More than a score of mer- chant craft have been sent to the bottor in the war zone within the past 24 hours and fifty or more since the | German proclamation of ruthless war 1 fare on the seas went into effect last | Thursday. It is realized that if no | citizen of the United States was among | the victims. it merely was a fortunate | accident and that it can only be | matter of a few hours before Ameri- | cans are caught in such wholesale de- 5truction.
 The California, which was bound from New York to Glasgo, is the first pig Passenger steamer to be destroyed | since the Arabia was torpedoed in the Mediterranean months ago. Her sinking has about swept away the last | lingering hope here that Germany aft CT all. would allow passenger carriers to escape in an effort to avoid driving
 
 The message from Consul Frost came at the close of another day devoted to energetic prepara tions for the war regarded as virtually inevitable and United States which might precipitate hostilities.
 Lansing Instructs Ship Owners.
 The most important step taken dur ing the day was the sending of teIe- grams by Secretary Lansing formally the state department could not advise them as to whether their vessels should sail on voyages through the war zone, but at the same time stat ing that the right of American ves- selS to traverse all parts of the high seas are the same they were prior to the issuance of the German declara- ton and that neutral vessel may take any necessary measures to prevent or resent attack if it believes it is liable to be attacked UnlawfuIly.
 This. in effect. informed American owners that they are at liberty to arm their ships if they desire and send them to sea prepared to resist German aggression. The text of Mir. Iansing's message was not made public for the reason, 1t was officially explained. that It was sent in response to inquiries and the government desired to avoid making a formal announcement on the subject. IT Destruction of 56,6oo Tons in Two
 Days.
 With the California the immediate is sue. officials were impressed by com plete thoroughness Of the German un- derSea campaign and it's promise. on the figures of the last two days of carrying out Germany's threat to iso- late England completely. Lloyds. re- ports received here show total of | 56,sQo tons for two days. or destruc- ton at the rate of So0,000 tons a month. Necessary to Cut of 100000 Tons
 Month. German. naval experts have said it l would be necessary to cut off 1,00o,- 090 tons a month to isolate England If the present rate of $50. tons de- ls stroyed Is maintained, it is suggested i