Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-05

appropriate an additional $119, 600 900 for the immediate completion of 113 war vessels already authorized and now in various stages of construc Another, suggested by Secretary Daniels and shaped by Representa- tive Padgett, chairman of the naval committee, would empower the presi- building yards and intuition plants whenever in his opinion the interest of the coutry requires such action. Speaker Clark and other house leaders tonight said they believed that the amendment would be adopted.
 Construction of 100 Submarines.
 In addition to the regular appropri- ation bill there is pending in the sen ate with growing sentiment in favor
 Of it's passage, special bill by Sen ator Poindexter, providing for immedt- ate construction of 100 submarines in addition to IT carried in the regular appropriation bill.
 The crisis also finds the house mill
 ftary committee ready with the cur rent army bill carrying s275, ,000, 900. exigencies may demand. The com mittee will meet tomorrow to consider new legislation and suggestions may be received from the secretary of war. President Has Power to Increase Army.
 Under existing law the president has authority to increase the regular army to full war strength of 28e.eoO officers and men in case of war or threatened war. He also has author ity to call on the national guard now having some 15o.000 available men. strength, 400. e.ooo. cannot be acquired until the expiration of four years,
 Emergency military changes win be urged in case of hostilities. Cham
 pions of universal military service al-
 ready are renewing their advocacy of pending legislation on the subject, are
 hopeful that present conditions may
 bring action in the near future. To Safeguard Against conspiracies. To safeguard interests of the na- tion against conspiracies, considera- tion is being rushed in. the senate of general to strengthen the statutes under which prosecutions may be brought against offenders within the United States who further the in Judiciary committee of the senate | urged to action by the administra- tion, will meet tomorrow to consider a favorable report from a sub-com
 mittee on seventeen of these measures Drive on General Legislation. While awaiting developments, how ever, both houses are expected te keep a drive on general legislation tc
 go about regular business as calmly l is possible.
 1 Administration leaders hope to pre- vent discussion of international fs- | sues. They are somewhat disturbed however, lest tranquility may be dis turbed by agitation from the pacifisi element in congress.
 "Pacifist" Group Active.
 Efforts to arouse sentiment against | American participation in the war arc expected to come from the so- -calle6 l Bryan" or ''pacifist'' group and NIT Bryan's presence in Washington and utterances on this subject yesterda. and today. together. with the arriva tonight of Henry Ford, have served to increase apprehension in this re gard: MT. Bryan, who has some fol. lowing in both branches of the con gress, has been urging various altern- atives. including a referendum on ths iQuestion of war with Germany IT view of this agitation administration leaders would not be surprised t have the issue raised by the introduc, tion of resolutions embodying tn, | Bryan ideas.