The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-03-23
WAR DECLARATION
MAY NOT BE MADE.
U. S. to Recognize That Hos
tllItias Have OEsRad.
EXPECT CALL TO CONGRESS-

Sentiment Of Cabinet Is That Actual
War Already Exists Between Amer
iea and eermany-Preparations For
EventualItles Going On.
Washington, March 21.--While from
all appearances there has been no
change in the international situation,
the activity prevailing the navy de.
partment and the conference Of Sec
rotary Daniels and the general navy
board are taken to indicate some i'm.
portant step on the part of the United
States feet is contemplated in con-
nection with the German submarine
menace.
The entire situation was discussed
at the meeting of the cabinet and the
,entiment was unanimous that the
United States virtually is in a state
Of war with Germany The most gen.
eral opinion was that declaration of
war on Germany is unlikely, although
the probability appeared to be for a
formal recognition that a state Of war
exists because of Germany's acts
against the United States.
II was lntimated that an important
statement would be forthcoming from
the White House at any moment. The
impression has grown that the presi-
dent will summon congress in special
session before April 16. the date orig
inally fixod.
While the situation now facing the
nation has been anticipated. by the
president ever since the submarine
question between the United States
and Germany became acute, he is con-
sidering It again from all angles be-
cause of the far-reaching questions
involved In an active entrance Of the
United States into the war.
The president is known to believe
that the objects he has in mind-the
establishment of league to preserve
future peace-has been set far for
ward by the revolution in Russia The
murmurings against autocracy in Ger
many are also being considered.
No doubt now remains in the minds
of most ofieials that unless there is
some unlocked for change before con-
gress meets, the president will open
the extra session with an address
making clean the new position into
which he feels the United States has
been forced by Germany's ruthless
disregard OF American rights. He may
discuss universal military training.
The New Orleans navy yard was
ordered to build at once four subma-
rine chasers.. The New York yard
has been ordered to build sixty.
The department has called upon all
navy yards fitted to undertake small
boat construction, to submit estimates
as to the number of submarine chasers
they can turn out quickly.
Bremerton, Mars Island, Ports
mouth, Boston, Charleston and other
yards probably will be assigned tc
construction of chasers to the full ex
tent of their capacity. It is possible
that the construction of 150 or zoe
chasers may be provided for in this
way, in addition to 200 or more to be
ordered from private builders.
! The chasers are designed to dc
thirty-fve knots an hour and will be
equipped with triple propellers and a
fuel capacity for long cruising radius
Governor Manning of South Caro-
Ina, White House caller, said that
/ although he had been opposed to wal
! with Germany until recently. he now
believed the time had come for using
the full strength of the United States
| to protect it's rights. He declared
for an Immediate session of congress
the calling out of the militia and vol
unteers and the aggressive use of the
navy.