The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-27
lBv z. r. SartWell.(

,a1nIeSS further submarine agSreSSions
force the United States to act.
Preparedness was the chief duty of
every department OF the government
after the president and his advisers
reviewed the tangled internationui
situation, anu looked over the prepd'
zrations already made.
It was decided to make every EN-
aieayor to mobilize all Of the resourc-
es, men. money and industry behlnd
she president, and to have these re-
sources ready for instant use When
congress convenes
Meantime, the attitude of the ad-
ninistration Will wait upon the de-
velopments in the zone Of death and
destruction where ship after ship OF
she American merchant marine mas
gone down unwarned.
Unless Germany's submarine acti-
~gities force this country into active
warfare. no move will be made until
She direct representatives OF the
American people, in congress assem-
bled. after April 2, decide on the
course which the nation must take
Tonight the congressional leaders,
with Speaker Champ Clark, OF the
house, at their heal, began to arrive
in Washington fof the most momen-
soos session in more than half a ceh-
bury, and they were prepared to 90
TO any lengths to back up the pres1-
dent in his fight for American rights
AT sea.
Calmly and in grim silence, the ad-
ministration today received the ON
cial detailed report Of the death OF Il
men of the crew of the American
tanker Healdton. The Healdton was
sunk without warning almost within
sight of the neutral shore OF Holland
sy a submarine that made no effort
10 aid the crew to escape death. Or
Scially, the only effect OF the Healdton
report was to accentuate the Whole
sale drive for complete preparedness
which the administration has begun.
There was no expression OF formal
regrets, there will be no expression ol
surprise. But from the White House
to CAPITOL Hill official Washington
set it's jaw with grim determination
10 make ready for the apparently IN
eyitable struggle to avenge The men
who went down to their deaths Iii
the peaceful pursuit OF American
commercial life.
Report by Daniels.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels Ialo
before the cabinet meeting today MS
report Of what has been accomplished
and what has been planned to make
8he nations first line Of defense reaoy
for the impending struggle. 1t was
.br5ef and to the point, and 1t placed
sssaarely before the president ana MS
aavisers the need for speed IN naVal
construction and in the enlistment OF
men TO man the nations Warshlps.
Secretary Daniels left the Wnlle
House with all of the authority that
The executive branch Of the govern
3ment can give him to hasten naval
preparation. When congress con-
eVenes a week from next Monday II
win find the navy ready to move at a
moments notice. !
Secretary of War Baker likewise
submitted his plans for army ac1l'lts
and the whole cabinet went over Ill
detail the need for men to guard the
cities of the Atlantic coast, ana OF
Ehe whole country, not only from az
racks without but from conspif-
acIes which might endanger the vital
points of the nations life.
Other members of the cabinet. par
ticularly Secretary Of Commerce Red-i
field and Secretary OF Labor wilson
went over the matters in their depart
nents which will aid in mobllzlns
the whole power of the nation Tor IN
slant use. All Of the presidents ad-
yisers will begin work at once on .
estimate of needed appropriations
and necessary legislative enactments'
which will be asked for when the ex-
traordinary session of congress coll
senes
The cabinet went over the Austrian
situation in detail. but no announce
ment was forthcoming as to what ac-
ton was contemplated. Tonlght'
-noweyer. there was general feellnS
that Ambassador Penfield at vienna
and his staff were prepared to leave
ahe dual monarchy at moments no
lice. The situation of the 1000 or
more American refugees held at Belr-
ut. in Asia-Minor, also agitated the
"a administration and it was stated that
"a peremptory demand for the reiel
..of these refugees would be forwarded
10 Turkey within short time.
The state department has exerteo
every effort to relieve these refugees
and the Turkish government has 50
sar failed to secure safe conducts
through the Mediterranean barred
zone for the cruiser Des Moines ana
and the collier Caesar, loaded WIN
supplies and ready to remove the re-
fugees.
The loss of 81 men in the Healdton
disaster was confirmed in dispatcn
20 the state department from Consu.
Krogh, at Rotterdam. who declareo
The ship had been sunk without warn
7ng ,25 miles from the Dutch coast.
-43t. said % men were reported lost;