The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-19
WILSON MAY ISSUE CALL
TO ENACT WAR MEASURES
ton of Navy First Steps Lkely-May
Call Congress Before April 16

WAsHi%oToS, March ls.-with the
announcement Of the ruthless destruc-
ton of three unarmed American mer-
chant ships by submarines 1t was un-
yfficially admitted here tonight thacvir-
;ually n state Of war exists between the
'nted States and Germany.
Technically the United States remains
n a position OF armed neutrality.
Whether this shall be changed before
Apri, 16, the date fixed for a. special
esson of Congress. tho war making
ranch OF the Government. President
wilson has not decided.
One step the President is contemplate
ing Is a call for an immediate session
OF Congress to hear an address asking
or authority to adopt aggressive meas
Tres against the submarine menace. AL
ready American ships are being armed
to defend themselves. The next move
must be to send warships with orders
to seek out submarines and clear the
transatlantic lanes.
Some Of the highest officials of the
Government hold that the Executive has
the power to declare that a state of war
exists and to proceed with aggressive
protective steps pending the assembling
of Congress. There Is no indica ton,
pwever. that the President will follow
that course.
To-day's Developments brought the
Government face to face with the prob
lem Of formulating definite policy for
the nation in case the United States
actually enters the war.
The Presidents first action will prob
ably be taken tomorrow. It Is expected
that he will issue proclamation de-
c!aring that national emergency exists
and authorizing a bond Issue to cover
more than 500. 100000 to be used In
rushing the work Of defence.
Secretary Daniels will probably order
the immediate mobilization Of the navy
or at least such part OF II IS will be
needed to guard the Atlantic coast These
steps have been under consideration for
several Gays.
How Wilson Got News.
The President received the first de-
tails from extra editions of the newspa-
peTS Wnlcn were on the streets early IN
the evening. Confirmation was obtained
from official sources OF the State De-
partment. but the official advices came In
more slowly than press dispatches and
lacked details. No comment whatever
was forthcoming from the White House.
Secretary Lansing was at his home
when the first reports were received
here. He expressed the deepest concern
and asked at once for all available de-
tails He made arrangements for the
State Department to communicate to him
any information received and gave or
ders that all available facts be given to
the public without restriction.
The only dispatches which the State
Department had received up 10 q late
hour tonight were two messages from
Wesley Frost. American Consul az
Queenstown and one from the American
Embassy in London.
Consul Frosts first message read:
American steamer city OF Memphis,
Cardiff to New York. sunk by German
submarine = NJ. 18th thirty-five miles
south OF Faslnet. Fifteen survivors
landed Schulz, A. NJ. to-day. Thirty
four additional survivors on Admiralty
vessel which continued search for eight
missing. VIII land Baltimore (nesr
Queenstown probably to-day
U-DOat Released tO Tow.
His second despatch said
city of Memphis. thirty-three sur
v!vors now landed here. vessel sunk by
ty,Indre submarine large type remained