Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-06
u. S. TODECIDE
IT'S OWN COURSE


war department news is O. KID by
Major Macarthur.
Washington. Feb. e.-The United
States anxiously watched today for
the real developments of the German
threat OF unrestricted submarine war.
fare, The five days within which neu-
trail vessels could get out of the pro-
hlblted zone ended at midnight. To-
day, IL the German intentions are car
ried out, as planned, all vessels, no
matter what character, plying the wat.
ers about Great Britain. France or
Italy, except in very Limited area,
are subject to instant unwarned de-
struclion.
President Wilson has directed THAI
all rumors and reports of infringe
ment OF American rights shall be re-
ported to him Immediately. He has
directed that Officials shall refrain
from discussing such incidents or out
lining possible plans OF action and he
has told the State Department which
IN turn has passed the word on to its
diplomatic agents everywhere. that
any reports. OF the sinking of Ameri.
can vessels without warning, or loss
OF American lives on vessels OF anv
nationality sunk without warning.
shall be completely and Immediately
Investigated. The President will take
no snap action and there will be no
hasty judgment. Ii possible, any fur.
ther break with Germany is to- be
avoided. But so soon as a concrete
instance of violation of American
rights on the high seas is substantial
ed he will go before Congress in Joint
session and ask for authority to pro-
teet the rights anywhere and in any
manner with the full strength of the
army and navy.
The State Department is investigat.
ing the reported killing of Richard
Wallace, Baltimore resident, and
member of the crew of the British
steamer Eavestone. The British Off
cial reports say that Wallace was
killed in a life-boat in which he and
others were escaping from the vessel.
which had been shelled. Officials
are going ahead cautiously nasmuch
as the fact that the Smelling took
place both before and during the time
that the crew was getting off the
boats would indicate that the EAyes-
tone either resisted signal to stop
or was trying to escape. Consul Gen
eral Skinner in London had been d. I
rected to send forward a complete re-
port OF the status of the vessel and Of
the death of Wallace. Meanwhile
this government has suspended judg- :
ment.
Meanwhile Congressional leaders
today were prepared emphatically to
endorse the action of the President in
Gus pending diplomatic relations with /
Germany The Stone resolution was
called upin the Senate and it was ex-
pected to be passed with a record /
breaking majority Because of the
TACT that the Senate shares with the
President under the constitution the
esponsibility for the shaping of the
foreign policy of the nation, its en-
torsement of the Presidents position
was expected to haev strong infu-
ence among the neutral nations of the /
world. 1t also would demonstrate ad.
leaders declare, that Ger
nan contention that the country is
lot solidly behind the President is en-
irely unfounded.
The House continued its debate on
is S3lo,W0,C00 naval appropriation
I'll which was to be passed before
NAL adjournment tonight. 1t will then
i've President Wilson unusual plen-
ry powers in that under amended
PROVISIONS he will be able to comman-
eer any and all private ship-building
ards or plants turning out munitions
r ship supplies so that the building
'rogram Of the navy can be rushed
onward to completion at the earliest
ossible moment
Some S50,0G0,G00 is Immediately
lade available for emergency pur-
oses and 1t will be possible for shifts
, be arranged so that all naval op-
rations shall be carried on twenty.
our hours day AS soon as the navy
i'll is out of the way the big army
appropriation bin will be pushed. It
ill give the war department enlarg.
d powers in that it may, in emerg-
ncy bring more than one-half of the
eneral staff to Washington and will
g able to arm with anti air craft guns
Ii government arsenals and powder {