The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-19
Next Move Must Be to Clear
Sea Lanes With United
States Warships.
PRESIDENT MAY CALL
IMMEDIATE SESSION
High Officials Say That
Executive Has Power to
Declare War Exists.

announcement of the ruthless destruc-
tion of three unarmed American mer-
chant ships by submarines it was un-
officially admitted here tonight that
virtually a state. OF war exists be-
tween the United states and Germany
Technically the United States remains
in position of armed neutrality,
Whether this shall be changed be-
tween now and April 16, the date fixed
for a special session Of congress, the
War-making branch Of the govern
ment. President Wilson has not de-
cided.
one step the president Is contem-
plating is a call for an immediate ses-
sion of congress to hear an address
asking for authority to adopt aggres-
siVe measures against the submarine
menace. Already American ships are
being armed to defend themselves; the
next move must be to send warships
with orders to seek out submarines
and clear the trans Atlantic lanes.
Some of the highest officials OF the
government hold that the executive
has the power to declare that a state
or war exists and to proceed with ag-
gressive protective steps pending the
assembling of congress. There Is no
indication. however, that the president
will follow that course.
OF the three ships destroyed, two
were unloaded and homeward bound
and all were American built, Amer
ican owned and Differed and manned
largely by American citizens. Meager
dispatches indicate that all were sunk
with complete disregard for the safety
of those on board and that some of
the members OF the crews may have
been lost.
Today's developments brought the
government face to face with the
problem of formulating definite
policy for the hation in case the
United States actually enters the war
This possibility was mentioned by the
president in his inaugural address
March s.
"Overt" Act Hero.
All of the conditions outlined by tho
president in his message announcing
the diplomatic break with Germany as
leading to state of armed neutrality
have now been fulfilled. The covert
act described by him then has ac-
tually come; IL in fact 1t had not been
committed when the president went
before congress again. Since then he
has established a state of armed neu-
trality. without the specific authority
of congress.
President Wilson was out auto
mobiling when the first Associated
Press dispatch telling of the three
disasters came in quick succession.
Through Secretary Tumulty. he was
given all available facts Immediately
on his return. In the meantime Sec
retary Lansing and other state de-
Dartment officials as well as cabinet
Several hours later official reports
came from Consul Frost at Queens
town and Consul General Skinner at
London telling OF the sinking Of the
City of Memphis, the vigilancia and
the Illinois. These dispatches con-
cirmed press reports but added few
further details.
Act Of War.
international lawyers and constitu-
tisnal experts here showed no hesi-
fancy tonight in saying that President
Wilson has fun authority to interpret
this as an act of war. and announce
that this country considers that an
actual state Of war exists by reason
Of Germanys fragrant assault on
American shipping.
Such action would be subject to the
approval of congress, gsi
despite the unwarned sinking OF big
(COntinNeI IN pa pe TuoN