The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-08
Preparedness Measures.

Preparedness Measures.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Ihe navy
has taken further preparedness meas
ures. II was announced today In let
ter from Secretary Daniels to Chair'
man Padgett of the ouse naval com,
mittee, recommending an Increased
appropriation Of 100000 for the tor
pedo station at Newport, X. l., TO IN
crease the facilities for the manulac-
ture of torpedoes.
The capacity of the plant has been
doubled the last three years ana this
appropriation is expected TO douDie
the present capacity. =.
The department estimates that II
will save 1000 900 on its initial order
over the price made by private plants
safe Conduct.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Safe con-
duct home has been granted German
Ambassador Bernstorff by the fTench
government, the state department q
nounced today. ,.,,
The French permit did not specify
the route the envoy should take,
British safe conduct was expecteo
during the day.
No News From Austria.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Austria
thus far has failed to give any lndl'
cations that she will relax her en-
dorsement OF Germany's U boat war'
| It was officially stated today.
Insofar as authorities will reveal
negotiations are still under way to
have her modify her position AM
thus avoid break.
Submarine Question.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Sine SUD
marine question came UP in the sen
I ate again today when Senator NC
Cumber offered a resolution asking
that the secretary OF state be d1recteu
i to submit to the senate the views 81
| the United States government upon
| Limitations of the use OF the SUD-
marines"
McCumber asked;
"The limitations of the use OF the
submarines as against belllgereni
merchant vessels carrying American
goods not contraband.
GAS to the warning and SAFETY Of
passengers and crews.
'In respect to the sinking OF Amer,
lean vessls carrying contraoano
without notice where the death OF
crews does not result.
"ln respect TO AueTiOShu Vossoin
carrying mails; and,
"Regarding any other acts OF SUB
marines which this government holds
to be clearly against tnternatlonal
| law and cause for war
McCumber said he offered the reso
lution so that 'any belligerent ma
tion may fully understand what acts
Of submarine warfare may involve
this country IN the present world
conflict"
At the suggestion Of McCumber the
resolution went over under the rules
and will be called up for further dis
cussion later.
McCumber held that the presidents
MANY declarations leave doubtful
and uncertain just what the obligs-
tons are which we impose on the
imperial German government as
condition for the continuation OF
! peace" ~
the many notes addressed to Ger
many by the president. merchant YES
sells have been sunk by the undersea
craft of the German government
without notice and without further
protest on the part Of this govern
ment, indicating acquiescence by this
government in such warfare at least
as long as it does not involve the
loss of lives of American citizens.
Fate Of the Four.
NEW YORK, Feb. S.-Four big
messenger liners left this port Janu-
airy 90. The California has been
sunk, the Ryndam turned back after
getting twelve hours away from the
"barred zone" and the Baltic and
Saxinia due in Liverpool yesterday
and today respectively under normal
sailing conditions. have not been
heard from.
Since the German proclamation,
New York has been more nearly g.
biockaded port than have ports in
the zone itself. Transatlantic lines
on both sides are holding their ships
in port waiting for the crisis to clear
or break wide open.
The Adriatic, Carmania and Roch-
ambeau, passenger liners, are now
on the seas. daily nearing the dan
ger zone. The Ladrone, carrying a
great cargo Of explosives. is also
making the run through the U boat
blockade.
Await Impending Crash.
[By Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-The Unit
ed States government has set itself
to await what Is regarded az the in
evitabie Z boat stroke that Will
trinc war between America and Ger
many. Officials today believe tbs
blow will fall very soon. Tremendous
activity of German submarines, in
GLIDING spectacular and unwarned at
tacks on the British steamers Califor.
MIA and Eavestone almost entirely re-
moved any hope that Germany would
not carry out her avowed intentions.
The California and Eavestone were