The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-06

Which viii resume consideration to-
morrow of various measures submit
lied by the department OF Justice to
protect the country against bomb plots
and conspiracles
81 The ommiftee today agreed to
fecommend a bill giving the depart
ment of justice further power TO pre-
" vent the destruction of property of
II foreign nations with which the United
n EtAtes Is at peace The measure is
h aimed to afford further safeguards
against attempts TO blow up foreign
n ships in American harbors.
This bill. along with various other
measures to meet internal emcrgen-
X cics resulting from the German crisis.
probably will be reported to the SEN
ate tomorrow
Move Against Bomb Plots.
s TfH senate rules committee had
before II suggestions for further pro-
Z lection of the capital against bomb
plots.
There was some discussion In the
house military affairs committee over
the proposal to mobilize the general
staff, but the Republican members OF
the committee came TO the aid of
the Democratic leaders. and defeated
small Democratic majority. The
The proposal was voted into the army
bill Aat once.
Both house and senate will pro-
coed at once to speed up all routine
measures and clear the way for emer-
gency legislation which may demand
immediate action. The military and
naval committees OF both bodies pre-
pared for day and night work 70
complete the details of all emergency
measures which may come before
them.
President Wilson today received the
very latest data on the development
of aeronautics in the United States,
DIR. Charles n. walcott, secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution and
member OF the national advisory COM
mfttee on aeronautiCs, submitted
complete report on aerial inVeStiga-
ton conducted by scientists. and army
and navy officers since the commits
sion was organized in March 1915,
The nature or the report was closely
guarded.
The censorship over army and navy
orders was frightened up today and
rewspa per correspondents in Wash +
ington were asked 10 cooperate with /
the war and navy departments 10 pre- +.
vent the publication or any matter
which might prove prejudicial 70 the /
interests OF the nation, 1t was stated
Mt the navy department that no or /
ders had been issued 10 the Atlantic
feet
The war department announced /
that armed merchant ships of bel ,
ligerent nations would be accorded
the same treatment in the Panama
canal zone that they are accorded in
United States ports. Under present
state department rulings merchant
ships may carrya single gun mounted
for defense. Foreign consuls were
asked to give advance information Of
armed merchant ships seeking to use
the canal I'm order that they might
be speedily examined and their pas
sage expedited.
Won't Seize Ships
Continued reports that the govern
ment contemplated the seizure OF
war bound German ships in Ameri-
can ports brought forth a fat state
ment today that no such step was
contemplated at this time. II was
stated that such ships as may have
been taken over have been seized by
United States marshals under court
orders. because they were involved
in litigation. The executive depart
ments, 1t was stated. had nothing 10
do with these seizures.
Late tonight the navy department
and the war department were the
scene Of continued industry Officers
and officials were hard at work at
theIf ueskS, on emergency details "
Admiral Benson. aide for operations.
and ranking office OF the navy, who
Joined Secretary Daniels in his con-
ference with President Wilson today. .
was at work far into the night The
lid Of secrecy was Clapped tightly
down on all goings on al the big
state War and Navy buildings, how .
ever
Definite action by the navy depart
ment looking toward the speedy in
crease IN effective naval units now
anoat was expected AT any time Tn
der legislation proposed by Secretary
Daniels, the navy would be able TO
shift from the construction of battle
ships and battle cruisers now author
ized. 10 the construction of subma-
rines and submarine destroyers. The
taking over of merchant vessels may
also be asked for If an emergency
arises, THIS would be facilitated by
the proclamation of the president is
sued today. which read:
Text Of Proclamation.
w hereas congress did by an act
to establish "A United States shipping
board, for the purpose of encouraging.
developing and creating a avail auxil- /
iary and a naval reserve and mer-
chant marine % meet the requirements
OF the commerce Of the United States
with its territory and possessions and
with foreign countries, to regulate 4
carriers by water engaged in foreign
and interstate commerce Of tho United
States and for other purposes ap.
proved September 7. 1913. provided
that during any national emergency
the existence Of which is declared by
procla nation of the president. no yes