The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-22

Of war looming close ahead, polll-
iCal differences began 10 fade
way. Some congressman. already
here went 81 far as 10 suggest
that the fight for organization OF
the house be postponed until after
the international situation had
been dealt with.
In laying the whole situation be-
fore congress The president Is eX-
pected TO detail fully the war-llke
acts OF Germany against. the
United States and to pay particu-
lar attention to the future Of the
American government as the great
conflict draws TO close.
1t is not improbable that he will
ask congress 10 declare state Of
war existing. although there is
some indication that he may only
outline the situation fully and
leave to congress the action which
is accepted as unavoidable. So
much can develop. however. be-
fore congress assemblies, that the
president Is keeping his plans
in tentative form. Germany.
by her acts. in the interim may
throw all the plans awry and &C
c"pt the onuS OF having faced the
war.
Every Preparation.
Meanwhile every preparation
for putting the nations defenseS
in condition to meet a state Of war
are going forward. The principal
activities center in the navy,
where far.reachins preparations
are being carried on to deal with
the submarine menace whether II
is to be met in the war zone
about the British coasts, or at the
gates OF American cities.
The army's plans are in a less
definite state because Of the un-
certainty as to what part it will
be called upon 10 play. General
staff plans 10 fit several contin-
gencieS have been worked out.
however, and every step that can
be taken in the present situation
has been taken. Tonight Secre-
tary Baker conferred with the
president. but the details they dis
cussed were not revealed.
The Nearer Danger.
The possibility Of Germany eI-
tending submarine operations 10
the Atlantic seaboard has not
been underestimate. but It is
recognized that when she extends
her warfare from the comparative
~ limited barred zone TO the three
thousand miles Of. broad Atlantic
- she so effectively weakens her
starvation blockade Of England
that the announced objects Of the
campaign of ruthleSsness will Of
necessity be abandoned. At the
same time the submarine menace
10 shipping will comparatively de-
crease.
Next to war. the attention OF
the American government is upon
one other object-the internal sit
uation in Germany. With a mill
tary censorship screening the his
tnry-making events transporting
within the German empire. and
equally screening from the Ger
man people the full meaning Of
events in the world outside. the
real condition of affairs in that
country. guardedly reflected in
dispatches from abroad, com
mands close attention.
Murmurings Of Revolt.
NIurmuring OF revolt against
aurocracv emboldened b. the
revolution in Russia; reports Of
food riots in Berlin. which are
said to have necessitated the with
trawaI of troops from the fighting
lines: military successes by the
entente on the western front and
In Asia Minor: the submarine
campaign operating far below the
efficiency predicted for it. lead to
the belief among officials here
that possibly before congress can
assemble to meet the situation.
the world may be confronted with
an entirely different set Of condl-
lions.
While It has been generally az
sumed that any aggressive action
BY the United States against Ger
many and in cooperation with the
entente allies would be- purely OF
a naval character, designed to aid
in the determination Of submar-
ines and raiders preylng upon
commerce. state department Off
Gals declared today that this
country might take any and all
military measures deemed necrs-
sary TO make effective its protest
against Germany without actually
entering into a formal political
alliance. Even the sending Of an
expeditionary force to Europe. it.
was held, would not obligate this
country to all tho details Of the
allied program.
An Army to Belgium,
Officials say that an army could
propnrlv be sent to Belgium, for
instance, 10 help in the reStora-
ton of that violated territory and
to throw Americans influence in
a real and practical way on the
side Of the international law and
order.
The possibility Of large bond
issue to provide credit for some or
the Allies who need 1t most In
their campaign against Germany
was suggested at the capitol today
in the conferences Of members or
congress. still in the city.
1t was pointed out that the Al
lies have plenty of equipment or
men and munitions now and that
they want most Of all credit.
The Present Status.
The armed neutrality status AT
present in force Is held by the in
ternational law experts 10 present
many points Of weakness. Neither
war nor peace. it involves the
country in continual misundcr-
standing with both sides. 1t Is
said 10 leave open the door for I'M
limited litigation with Germany
after the war. In that status. the
United States still Is technically
neutral and might be held rcslon-
sible by Germany for any un-ncu-
trail acts committed here. with
an actual recognition OF a state
of war, this difficulty would dis
appear.
Moreover. automatically the
United States is in most extra
ordinary situation. setni-hnstile 10
the Central Powers and yet not
aligned with the Allies. The gov
crnment is not taken into the con-
fdence Of nations with which t.
formerly communicated most free
Is. Especially Is this so as 10 the