New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-19
City of Memphis Destroyed
After Crew Enters Boats
Washington's Next Move Must Be TO Send U. D.
Warships to Clear Transatlantic Lanes,
While President Awaits Assem-
bling of Special Session

Washington, March ls.-With the
announcement Of the ruthless destruc'
tion of three unarmed American mer'
chant ships by submarines. it was un-
officially admitted here tonight that
virtually a state OF war exists be-
tween the United States and Germany.
Technically the United States re-
mains in a position OF armed neutral
ity. Whether this shall be changed
before April 16. the date fixed for
special session Of Congress. the war
making branch of the government
President Wilson hes not decided.
One step the President is contem-
plating is a call for an immediate ses-
sion Of Congress 20 hear an address
asking for authority 20 adopt aggres-
sive measures against the submarine
menace. Already American ships are
being armed to defend themselves; the
next move must be to send warships
with orders to seek out submarines ard
clear the transatlantic lanes.
No Hope of Peace
Some OF the highest officials Of the
government hold that the Executive has
the power to declare that a state OF
war exists and 70 proceed with aggres-
sve protective steps pending the as
sembling of Congress. There is no in
dication, however, that the President
will follow that course.
To-day's Developments brought the
government face to face with the prob
lem Of formulating a definite policy
for the nation in case the United
States actually enters the war. lhiS
probability WAS mentioned Dy the
President in his inaugural ADDRESS
March ,.
All of the conditions outlined by the
President in his message announcing
the diplomatic break with Germany
as leading 10 a state Of armed neu-
tralty have now been fulfilled. me
covert act' described by him then has
actually come; if in fact 1t had not
been committed when the President
went before Congress AGAIN. Since
then he mas established state OF
armed neutrality without the speci1c
authority of Congress.
President Wilson was out automobu-
ing when the first Associated Press DIS
patches telling OF the three disasters
came in quick succession. Through
Secretary Tumulty he was given all
available facts Immediately on hls re-
turn. In the mean time Sccrctarr Ian
sing and other State Department ON
cials, as we'll as Cabinet members, were
given the information.
President Gets News
Several hours later Official reports
came from Consul Frost, at Queens
town. and Consul General Skinner, az
London. telling Of the sinking or the
City Of Memphis. the Nigi!ancia and
the Illinois. These dispatches con
frmed press reports. but added few de-
tails.
Despite the unwalned sinking Of big
passenger liners like the California and
the Iaconla, tne JeOpdIdALiL- " ANA'it-
cans on almost score Of other yes
sells and the sinking Of three other
American ships. the Housatonic. the
Lyman NJ. Law and the Algonquin, since
the unrestricted warfare began. some
officials. inspired by the Presidents an
nounced reluctance 20 believe that Ger
many would carry through her threat.
have clung desperately 20 the hope that
some slight respect for internationa.
law might still be shown.
With the practical certainty that thi|
country will become involved IN host!li-
ties with Germany. officials are scan
ming the news from ,le various W1r
fronts with The closest scrutiny. Tie
apparent crumbling Of Turkish power
in Mesopotamia and Persia, the uneX
pected sweeping forward OF both Brit.
ish and French in a wide swath IN tho
West front. the pro-war revolution in
Russia. threats Of internal trouble IN
Germany and China's severance of re
lations have served 10 convince many OBJ
servers that the beginning of the end IS
near.