The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-02-27
NO NOTABLE CHANGE
IN SUBMARINE STAND
OFFICIALS SEE NOTHING
BUT WAR PROSPECT.
The President Apparently is Un-
moved by Tactics Adopted
by the Republicans.

Wilson's plan for meeting the crisis
with Germany gave no outward evil
dence of change today but there were
several developments which ap-I
peared to be Fastening eventualities.
Another apparent violation of inter
national law was added to the list
sccumulating from Germany's subma-
rine campaign which officials believe
sooner or later is virtually certain to
make necessary. further steps by the
United States. The onslaught on
Dutch shipping reported during the
day had it's effect here, strengthen
ing the conviction in official quarters
that neutral interests are to be ruth
lessly disregarded under the new
German policy.
In the senate discussion of inter
national crisis broke afresh and a
Republican attack on the admins
trations failure to take more ag
gressive measures was followed by
the introduction of a resolution by
Senator Fall, a Republican, author
izing the president to use the armed
forces of the nation to protect Amer
lean rights against the German SEA
menace Administration senator's,
taken by surprise at the action, pro-
tested against il but sent the resolu.
ton to committee without extended
debate.
1t generally has been understood
that the president would ask some
such authority OF congress before the
session ends next Saturday but il
was believed tonight that the Fall
resolution would not be the basis of
such action but would be laid aside
for a substitute drafted by adminis-
tration leaders.
Attack by Republicans.
The Republican attack came in the
midst of a determined fllibustes
which many Democrats believe is in
itself an effort to force an extra ses-
sion of congress so that the senate
will be sitting at the capitol and can
demand part in whatever action
President Wilson may decide to take
after March A. The Republican
senators are said to feel that the
president is anxious to have con
gress off his hands.
Although three submarine disas-
ters in which American seamen were
involved were reported to the state
department today, only one seemed
on first information to constitute an
invasion OF American rights. Amert-
can consuls reported that the Nor
wegian steamer Skrim and the Nor
wegian bark Blenheim, each with an
American seaman aboard, had been
destroyed but that in each Instance
provision had been made for the
safety OF the crew. A dispatch from
Consul Osborne at Havre said, how
ever, that the Norwegian steamer
Alice had been attacked and shelled
without warning and that Theodore
Joseph, an American negro. was
among the survivors.
Complete information on the Alice
case had not been received tonight
and for the present it takes its place
with several others about which the
state department is preparing evi-
dence. President Wilson is under
stood to be particularly anxious that
any request he may make for more
authority have behind IL incontestl-
BILE proof that such authority is
needed to protect American rights.
So far as could be learned the
president did not discuss the inter
national situation with any of his
callers today and at the state de-
partment the arrival of Consul Os-
borne's dispatch regarding the Alice
was the only development OF note.
In most quarters IL Is believed there
will be no important announcement
before Tuesday at least when Secre-
tary Lansing returns from short
vacation in West Virginia.
Preparing Big Note?
The possibility that Secretary
Lansing, who left last night for a
three day visit to White Sulphur
Springs. may in reality be preparing
an important document for the presi.
dent was given some credence to-
day, especially In diplomatic quar-
ters. II was recalled that on several