The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-02-08
uND|TED STATES
PLANS DEFENSE.
CONGRESS RUSHING MEASURES
TO PROVIDE MILLIONS OF DOL
LARS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE.

LARS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE.
Washington, Feb 6:-Every phase
of the situation which at any hour
may bring the United States to war
with Germany was discussed by
President wilson and his advisers at
today's Cabinet meeting. The faint
hope that Germany. after all. might
modify her new submarine campaign
so as to avoid making an active en-
emy of America was touched upon.
as was the probable position OF 9TH
er neutraIs. But most of the Cab
inet's attention was given to reports
by each member upon the energetic
efforts of his department of the gov
ernment to prepare for war if it is
to come.
In some quarters here the inter-
view given by Foreign Minister Im-
mermann in Berlin expressing friend
" feeling toward the United States
was viewed as a favorable sign.
Little weight was attached to it by
the Cabinet, however, for the
foreign minister's remark that he
hoped the American Government
would understand Germany's reasons
for inaugurating unrestricted war
fare on the sea was construed as
meaning that no change of course
was to be expected.
Preliminary reports of the sink
ing of the British steamer Eavestone
and the killing of an American ne
gro seaman are not regarded as
establishing such a case as will be
the signal for hostilities.
A brief dispatch from Consul Frost
at Queenstown today announced the
destruction of the ship and the kill
ing of the American sailor by shells
striking the boat which had left the
vessel. Complete report will he
awaited, but officials believe that
circumstances surrounding this in
cident indicate an attempt on the
part of the Eavestone to resist or
escape from an attacking submarine.
There also is involved the question
of whether the ship was in the ser.
, vice Of the British Government. The
consul referred to her as q pro-
visionsl collier" but as the term
collier is used abroad in speaking Of
coal carrying cart generally, MOI
much significance is attached to the
consul's description. Moreover. it
is suggested that the message might
be garbled by skeletonizing for the
cable.
TIE position of the government
was said to be still one of waiting.
It was stated officially after the Cab
met meeting that there had been no
developments to change that a:ti-
tude. 1t also was explained author.
itatively that the next step of the
United States, if one is necessary,
will be taken without. addressing any
inquiry to Germany. If American
lives or ships are illegally destroyed
by the Germans, action will follow
as soon as the fact is established to
the Presidents satisfaction.
Entente diplomatic representatives
here allowed it to become known
during the day that. while highly
gratiied over the break with Ger
many, they were not at all anxious
to see the United States actually
drawn into the war. They frankly
expressed q growing fear that Ger
many deliberately precipitated the
rupture for the purpose of starting
military preparations in America,
and thereby cutting off munitions
and supplies from the allies.
Secretary Houston told the Cab
met today that data in the hands of
the department of agriculture shows
the United States can be self-sustain-