The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-03-03
AUTHORITY 10 ARM
SHIPS WILL Be
GRANTED TODAY
Legislation Will Be Enacted By
Congress Before Adjourning
GOND ISSUE OF S10o, ,OOO, 600
President Further Empowered to
man Submarine Menace.

Washington, Saturday, March g.
Aiming of American ships to defy the
German submarine menace waits on
ly upon authority from congress,
which probably will be given before
another day passes.
1t became known last night that
President Wilson Is ready to give the
order and that the navy department
has made its preparations to begin
equipping merchantmen for defence
at moments notice.
The senate debated until early this
morning the bill approved by the
President authorizing the arming of
ships and the employment of other
instrumentalities," to protect Ameri-
can rights, and providing for bond
issue of $100,000,000 Little Opposi-
ton developed and Republican and
Democratic leaders predict passage
of the measure by an overwhelming
majority. The house is expected to
accept the bill as a substitute for its
own, which does not carry the phrase
"other instrumentalities" and pro-
hibits the insurance of munition ships
by the federal war risk bureau,
The cabinet met yesterday after
noon and discussed every phase of the
international crisis There was no
announcement after the meeting,
though 1t was learned that the admin
istration considered there was moth
ing more to be done until congress
acted
About the only new development OF
Importance before the cabinet was
communication announcing that Ger
many would release the American
prisoners of the Yarrowdale on March
z, upon the expiration of quarantine
established, it was alleged, because a
British sailor, detained with the
Americans. had developed typhus
fever.
Washington. March 2.-Congress
finally cleared the way for final en-
actment of the $685., ,000, 900 naval ap
preparation bill tonight after straigh
tening out a controversy between the
two houses over a s150,000,0O0 bond
issue which for a time threatened to
kill the measure and force an extra
session.
The trouble was over the refusal OF
the house to accept an amendment by
the senate authorizing a bond OF
$3.50, 100000 to meet added expenses
provided for in the bill as it passed
the senate late this afternoon.
OF this money s115,O00,000 is TO be
used in rushing to completion vessels
now under construction and S35,OOO,-
600 is for fifty additional submarines
provided for by senate amendments.
Amendments added by the senate TO
which the house is asked to agreed to
increase the total of the bill as it pas
sed the house by sl50,000,000 and pro
vides that all appropriations shall be
available Immediately, instead of on
July ]. as usual.
Efforts to attach the administration
amendments empowering the Presi
dent to commander American ships
in an emergency failed because Re-
| publican senators would not consent
| to their passage without debate.
The great construction program pro
vides for the building of three battle
| ships, one battle cruiser, three scout
cruisers, fifteen destroyers. one de-
| stroyer tender, one submarine tender
| fifty-eight coast submarines, ten fleet
| submarines and three coast guard
| cutters.
| In case of national emergency, the
| President is authorized to suspend
the eight hour law on contract govern
ment work.
To meet the shortage of naval Off.
GERS provision is made for graduation
of two classes at the naval academy
each year for five years, and to short
en- the course from four to three years
| for that period. The cadet corps
| would be largely increased
For an additional navy yard at San
| Francisco there is an appropriation of
| 81, 100000. Another senate amend
| ment appropriates Sl,250,000 for a
submarine base at New London,
| Cpnp