The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-15
May Not Wait for Serious
Disaster to Seek Authority
to Protect Life.
SINKING OF AMERICAN
SCHOONER LAW VEXES
Act Committed by Austrian
Sub-No Decision on Arm
ing Merchantmen.

Washington, Feb. 1i.---Thc STEADY
accumulation OF violations Of AmerI-
can rights by Germany made 1t appear
possible today that President Wilson
would go before congress to ask au-
ihority for further protecting lives and
property without waiting for n serious
disaster which might shock the coun-
try. There were no indications, how
ever. that he believed tho time for
such step had come. and 1t again
was stated authoritativcly that no
would move deliberately and with fun
appreciation of att the consequences
involved.
official reports OF the sinking of tho
American schooner Lyman NJ Law in
the Mediterranean by an Austrian sub.
marine added only slightly to tho ten
sion, for while the act is believed to
have been Illegal, no lives were lost
and tho vessel apparently was warned
The incident was not looked upon AZ
one in itself sufficient to hurry tho
development of the situation.
Shipping Piles Up.
Preliminary reports began coming to
government departments showing tho
pllihg un about the Atlantic scaboard
Of goods destined for export to Euro
pean ports. No serious effect from
this condition will be felt. however.
until lapse of sufficient time for ships
remaining in American ports to havo
gone to Europe and returned. While
only approximately 10 per cent OF
American commerce with Europe Is
carried on American ships, the sail.
ing of vessels Of other nationalities In
many instances have been cancelled
or postponed. and therefore the result
OF the ruthless submarine campaign In
time will result In far reaching dis
turbance Of the industrial life Of tho
United States.
Preparations by the government for
any eventuality still are going forward
without interruption. Much impor-
tance is attached to the work OF the
council OF national defense, which is
holding daily sessions to consider pro-
visions to coordinate American re-
sources. H. S. Stettinius of J. y. Nor
gan & Co, New York. was before tho
council again today furnishing infor-
nation gained from experience Of his
firms huge transactions In war orders
for the entente allies.
Won't Furnish Guns.
1t was stated during the day that it
was entirely possible the government
would take no steps towards actually
furnishing arms to American ships un-
less and until the president decides 10
should go before congress.
While the state department takes
the position that the government has
the right to furnish the guns other
questions which make this situation
more complex have arisen. The great
est OF these is the determination OF
the president to do nothing which
might give Germany tho excuse in any
trouble which may follow to place tho
responsibility upon tho United STAGES.
Sunk by Austrian.
Consul Trcadway at Komc. forward
g! dispatches today showing that the
schooncd Law was sunk by IAN Aus
TRAN submarine without Il flag" APP
parently by placing u bomb aboard
after the vessel had been stopped.
The reports Indicate that tho vessel
was illegally sunk, ~ her cargo of
lumber Is not considered contrabanu
py this government and that the rec
osnized rule that u war craft must
show its flag before taking hostile
action was violated.
Most serious, however Is the state
mcnt that the submarine was Aus
'rian. In replying to the queries that
| Will be sent to Vienna as to the sink
ing 1t Is thought moro than probable
| That Austria may make some statc-
ment which will precipitatc the cx-