Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-07
Mails to Germany Suspended.

Mails to Germany Suspended.
Postmaster General Burleson today
ordered the suspension of mail service
10 Germany and her allies. Postal money
orders We're also suspended
The navy and its newly organized
power boat coast patrol squadron was
being mobilized; naval militia and naval
reserves were complying with orders
to join the colors.
From many cities came word that
United States marshals had carried out
orders of the Department of Justice for
arrest of sixty Germans whom the gov
ernment believes it dangerous to allow
at large.
Plan to Utilize German Ships.
Of1cials had about determined to use
the German merchant ships. nearly 100
of which have been seized, for govern
ment service. though no announcement
was made whether they would be con-
fscated or paid for at the close of the
war.
Government seizure of all radio sta
lions ana the clOSlHS oI an tNNSpS
those needed for naval communication
was authorized by President Wilson
Both the War and Navy departments
We're arranging with contractors to
furnish enormous quantities of sup
plies: steel manufacturers agreed to
furnish the navy their product at last
years prices. effecting sls,000,000 saw
ing in the navy's 1917 steel bill: the
Treasury devised means of raising
funds. subject to Congressional author
ization, and the Department of Agri-
culture set forth movement to in
crease and conserve the nations sup
ply of foodstuffs and to simplify dis
tr:bution. Many other similar activi-
ties were started after the cabinets
council of war last night
Baker Explains Army Bill.
The House military committee met
today to hear Secretary Bakers ex-
planation of the army general staff bill
TO draft and train one million young
men within year and the accompany
ing three -biIlion-dollar budget, all of
which had President Wilson's approval.
The Senate military committee also had
the army bill under consideration
today.
Without congressional action the
only thing the War Department can do
to increase the nations authorized
armed forces is to order the regular
army expanded to full war strength.
IT seemed likely today that large
part of the wars cost. which for the
first year alone may run far above the
$4,000. 100000 already asked by Con-
gress: even to $4,000, 100000. will be
raised by higher taxes on incomes, in
heritances and excess profits. An an
nouncement from Secretary McAdoo on
details of the s474, 100000 bond issues
already authorized. but not issued. was
expected at any time. Conferences on
finance problems were begun today be-
tween Secretary McAdoo and members
of the Senate finance committee and
the House ways and means committee.
U. S. Harbors for Allies.
Announcement will be made soon that
free admission to American harbors has
been granted war vessels of the allies
President Wilson today received ca
Diagrams from King George of Eng gland
and King Victor Emmanuel of Italy
congratulatins the people and govern
ment of the United States on their en-
trance into the war against Germany
The coast and geodetic survey, now
under the Department of Commerce.
will be put under the Navy Department
as soon necessary congressional au-
thority be secured. The survey
headed by DR.. Il. Lester Jones. performs
valuable maritime work including the
preparation OF charts. II owns several
vessels.
New State Department Problems.
Foreign relationships of the United
States today underwent the greatest
change in the country's history, sweep
ing away practically all the interna-
tional questions of the past two years
and substituting entirely new prob
lens AS result the State Depart
ment is entirely reorganzed and the
great mass of routine which has over
whelmed even the highest officials is to
be redistributed along new lines.
An enormous amount of work is ex-
pected In the near future. with various
commissions. military, economic and
diplomatic going back and forth be-
tween this country and it's allies.
There will be endless communcat ions
on matters of common interest
First Act After War Is Declared
The first act by the State Department
when war became a fact to pre-
pare copies of the war resolution and
proclamation for all the foreign mis-
sions here for immediate transmission
to their governments. Cables were sent
to American missions abroad, and full