The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-04-12
United States to
Bridge Atlantic
With WarShipS
Gigantic Preparations to Smash the Submarine Cam
paign Under Way-Virtua Bridge Will Be Con-
structed--Conflctng Reports Made Regarding Peace
Overtures--G GOmpers Reiterates Utmost Support for
Government by Labor.
Omitted Press)

WASHINGTON, April 12-The Uni
ted States will virtually bridge the At
lantic in order to smash the submar-
inc blockade. The plans which have
been completed and approved by the
president provide for the use of 5000
wooden boats, of 5000 tons displace-
ment with a speed of ten knots and
hour They will be run in such fash
ion as to form a veritable pOntOOn
bridge across the sea with boat every
three miles.
The war department today issued
statement to the effect that the re-
cruiting for the national guard would
continue 1t was stated that numer-
GUS inquiries resulting from misun-
derstanding of the orders with refer
ence to the discharge of married men
rendered this statement advisable.
The state department issued a state
ment declaring that no peace over
lures had been received informally or
otherwise, adding that the govern
ment is not redy to receive such and
was opposed to concluding a separate
peace at this time. The statement was
issued as a result of a circumstantial
account from Copenhagen of alleged
overtures said to have been made by
Germany looking toward peace.
A great many rumors regarding
peace negotiations are afloat here. A
report from Rome asserted to be
authentic stated that Austria had
tried to bring pressure on Pope Bene-
dict to make another move for world
peace at this time and that the pope
refused to do so at this time "for dip
| lomatic reasons" Another report
from Luzanne, Switzerland coming
i through London and declared to be
semi-official, declared that Bulgarian
delegates were in Switzerland seek
ing basis for separate permanent
peace with the entente countries. An
other dispatch stated that Bulgaria had
broken diplomatic relations. This last
was declared by officials to create no
surprise, although not officially con-
firmed. Inquiry at the Bulgarian le-
cation relative to whether Bulgaria
had severed relations with the United
States or not elected the reply that
the legation had mot heard from home
for some time" This report came from
Paris where it was stated that a report
from Sofia by way of Zurich stated
that the American ambassador to Bull
garia had been given his passports.
President Samuel Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor assured
the government today that the coop
Grafton of the Federation during the
war would be absolute and that the ut
most efforts would be made. The ship
ping board today called for 10000
woodworkers. Congress has authoriz-
the expenditure of 100000 for lum-
bermen and will be asked to appro.
pirate $500, 100000 more. Work has
already begun at Beaumont, Texas
Jacksonville, Florida and other points
on ships that will cost 100000 each
and will be manned with gun crews
guns and wireless apparatus. These
ships now begun will be ready by No
vember 1. Three new ships are being
turned into the service now.
Rumors of a secret submarine bas'
on the Mexican coast have been re
vived by the report of the presence o
submarine in the Pacific flashed
from here yesterday. All ships hav'
been warned to be on the lookout, ant
to send in reports promptly.