The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-05-23
American Destroyers Already Are
Taking Part in the War on
German Submarines.
FIRST TROOPS GOING SOON
President Orders Division Under
Pershing Sent to France at Once
Draft Registration Set for
June 5-HolIWeg Refuses
to Discuss Terms
Russian Crisis
Over
BY EDWARD w. PlCkARD.

The American navy is represented
in the war zone, and an American war
ship has had a fight with a German
submarine,
So much was revealed on Wednes
day by the British admiralty, which
announced the presence in British wa
tiers of a squadron Of American de-
stroyers. 1t mentioned the brush"
with the submarine, but did not tell
the result. Both the British and the
American naval authorities maintain
a policy of silence concerning the cap
ture or destruction of U-bOats.
The destroyers, which are under the
general command of Rear Admiral W.
S. Sims, arrived at Queenstown and
were inspected by British officer,
who asked the American commander
when he could be ready for business.
I'VE can start at once" replied the
American, and they did.
There is reason to believe some OF
these destroyers took part in the re-
cent big raid on the German subma-
rine base at Zeebrugge.
The American vessels and their
crews were given an enthusiastic wei
come at Queenstown, and Vice Admiral
Beatty and Admiral Mayo exchanged
congratulatory cablegrams.
Pershinq to Lead First Force.
Friday evening, President Wilson is
sued orders for the dispatch to France
of the first American eXpeditionary
force. 1t will be about one division of
2S, 600 men, all veterans of the regu-
lar army, and will be commanded by
Mai. Gen. j. J. Pershing. This force
will be sent across as soon as is prac-
ticable, in response to the appeals of
the British and French war missions.
The army CONSUMPTION bill, having
been accepted by both house and SEN
ate, was signed by the president, but
he announced that for the present, at
least, he would not accept the ROose-
Welt volunteer divisions. In public
statement he handed some bouquets
TO Colonel Roosevelt, but said that the
business now in hand is undramatic,
practical and of scientific definiteness
and precision" he was acting under ex-
pert and professional advice from both
sides of the water. The president also
issued a proclamation calling on all
men subject to selective consumption
to register on June 3.
Japan also began taking an active
part in the warfare in Europe last
week. A number Of Japanese gun
boats arrived at Marseille to aid in
the fight on submarines and to convoy
French merchantmen, and ii was I'M
officially stated that a contingent OF
Japanese troops was landed at the
same port and would fight on the west
front alongside the Russian division
that has been there for some time.
Building Up Our Armies.
With no illusions as to the serious
ness of the task confronting it, the
administration is proceeding steadily
in its preparation for the part the
limited States is to play in the war.
President Wilson has ordered the reg
ular army brought up to full war
strength. and all the machinery for
raising the great selectiye draft army
10 ready. All over the country the
training camps for officers were
opened at the beginning of the week.
and thousands of efficient young
Americans are being drilled in the du
ties of commanding officers. The sale
of sTiberty" bonds in denominations
as low as $50 is in full swing. To pro-
vide for the country's own expenses as
. holl;oaran+ fhe concentrations COM