The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-21
Advisers Will Support Pro-
gramme Based on These
Conditions.
COOPERATION WITH
ALLIES IS FAVORED
McAdoo Enlarges Ship III
surance and Raises Ban
on COntraband.

WASHINGTON, March 20. - For two
hours to-day President Wilson dis
cussed the international crisis with his
Cabinet and heard urgent suggestions
that the date for the extra session Of
Congress, fixed for April 16. be set for
ward to consider further steps in de.
fence Of American commerce against
German submarines. 1t Is understood
there was not a dissenting voice
against this advice. The President
himself did not express his views, and
30 far as could be learned later had
not finally determined upon the course
to bo pursued. The prevailing belief
was that tomorrow he would an
nounce the call for an earlier meeting
Of Congress.
Among officials virtually the unani-
nous opinion is that in spite of the
technical armed neutrality status of
the United States actually a state OF
war exists as the result of the ruthless
destruction of American merchant
ships and the killing Of American citi-
zens in defiance of international law
and OF the most solemn warning one
nation can give another The only
question is what shall he done about il
'urther than the arming of merchant
men To resist submarine attack if they
get the chance.
President Goes 10 Theatre.
The Cabinet members geuerallv are
salu 10 nave expressed to-day their will
ngness to support programme based
on an early call for Congress and n for
NAL declaration that state Of war exists
pet"een Germany and the United States
Tonight the President went to the the
are-a thing he frequently does when he
has made preliminary decision on a
grave question and wants distrac ction to
look at the problem anew with freshened
mind.
Two steps taken Immediately after
to-days Cabinet meeting offered eyery
indication that the United States is on
the verge of arraying itself activeIv
WIN the Allies In war against Germany.
Secretary McAdoo called a meeting ~
the advisory board Of the Bureau of War
RISK Insurance and announced shortly
hereafter that the War Risk Bureau
would broaden the scope of its onera
'iohs and insure more generally cargoes
anu vessels bound to European couu-
tries. In effect II was explained this
meant that the ban on shipments Of con.
ditlonal contraband to the Allies. such
as ruober. nickel leather. chemicals and
IoohstuHs in American ships has been
hrtHi, and that in the future this Gov.
ernment will insure practically every
thing except guns arms and o,nr,nn,
tion.
Secretary Daniels immediately convoked
the General BOARD OF the Navy. en-
powered to deal with questions OF
strategy, and discussed with the hoard
the plans for the navy's coOperation
WIN tie forces Of the Entente nations.
Ihe cabinet meeting was plainly a
war session As evidence OF the serious
ness or the situation Secretary Lansing
laid before the Cabinet despatches lust
received from the American Consul n,
flymouth. England showing that hf-
teen OF the crew OF the Vig,ancia sunny
without warning by two torredoes had
peen drowned. and giving the names OF
Two or these who were American citi-
Zens beyond question There ie eop,e
reason to believe that when Congress
acts at the behest of the PresiGen,, AS II
Will as soon as II Is called together. n
VIII declare state Of war ~ have ex-
isted from March Is. when the ViVi.
lancia was sunk
Two Torpedocs Fired.
This was the despatch which Mr.
Lansing laid before the Cahlnet:
The American Consul at Plymouth
England. has telegraphed as follows
through the American Consul General nj
London:
"Vigilanc!a oe Wilmington Del from
View York for Havre. with general cargo
OF smelter structural Iron, asbestos, dried
fruit and straw. sunk without warning
on March is in latitude 4S.57. longitude
S.3t, or about li5 miles from nearest
land. by torpedo from submarine OF un-
known nationality. Two torpedocs fired
at ship. first missing, second struck
ship on starboard side by third hatch
Ship sunk IN ten minutes.
weather 1T time clear with moderate
sea swell No other vessels in sight
Crew OF forty -thi-r men attempted TO
abandon ship IN two lIfchoats. Ocean
swell. twenty-five men washed out OF
boats. OF these ten were saved and nf-
teen drowned Among the drowned are
Third Engineer Karl Adehodc. "A native
American citizen, and Third Officer NeiIs
North, a naturalizcd American citizen
Some Of the crew drowned were Am.ri-
can citizens Crew adrin In lifcboais
from Friday morning 10 o'clock until
SUNDAY afternoon O'Clock
"Suhmaiinc oi unknown nationality
followed lifehoats At distance Of f.ty
yards from ten Friday night to twenty
to -four SATURDAY morning. Submarine
and lifcboats did not speak Survivors
landed st, Mary's In own boats aftcr