The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-25
7DUTCH SHIPS TORPEDOED:
SAFETY PROMISE VIOLATED:
NINE SLNKLNGS, 24,741 TONS
RIGHT TO WAR
ASKED BY FALL
New Mexico Senator Offers
Resolution Giving Free
Hand to President.

| WAsHlEGToS, Feb 24.--A resolution
authorizing the President to use the
armed forces of the United States to
protect tho commerce. property and lives
OF the citizens of the United States, was
introduced to-day in the Senate by Sena-
tor Fall, Republican. and referred to the
Foreign Relations Committee. Adm!nis-
tration Senators. surprised at the action
protested. but sent the resolution to COM
| rnittec.
! Senator Falls resolution was offered
by unanimous consent after a bitter two
| hour debate on the international situa-
ton. In which Republicans disciaimed
| any desire to withhold support from the
President in handling the situation
| The authority to be extended by the
resolution Is along the general line Of
that which. as has been understood,
! President Wilson would request from
| Congress some time next week
| Senator Falls resolution points to the
! depredations on the commerce Of the
United States by submarines Of the Cen
trail Powers, and authorizes the President
| TO instruct and direct the commanders
| or the armed vessels belonging to the
| United States 10 protect American ships
| and property and ito take, seize or bring
into port or destroy II unable to seize,
! any armed vessels OF either OF the Gem
tral Powers. and particularly OF the
! Imperial German Government, which
have committed or are threatening to
commi. depredations against ships con-
veyins Americans or American property.
1t would make It legal also for the
| commander and crew Of any merchant
| American vessel to oppose and defend
| against any search restraint. seizure or
attack which shall be attempted on such
| vessel by any armed ship of the Gem
trail Powers and to "repel by force any
assault or hostility SO committed and to
| 'subdue and capture or destroy" such
| vessel.
Right 10 Cali 100000 Men.
! On the army side the President would
be authorized "in the event Of a declara-
| ton of war against the United States"
| or OF invasion or OF imminent danger OF
| invasion discovered In his opinion to
| exist" before the next session Of Con.
gress to GALL into service in addition to
the regular army and the National
| Guard 100000 men TO serve not more
than three years or during the continu-
ance Of the existing differences" with
the Central Powers. The President also
| would be given authority to accept VOL
unteers and to organize the 100000 men
| called into the proper service branches
and to officer them, when the Senate Is
not in session. by his commission alone.
The resolution said that when Ger
many and her allies shall disavow" and
cause their commanders TO refrain from
the lawless deprcdations and outrages
hitherto encouraged and authorized
and shall cause "the laws of nations to
be observed" then the commanders of
merchant ships NAV be directed TO SUBJ
NIT to any regular search" by Central
| Power war vessels and to refrain from
| ANY force or capture"
The act would continue in force for
six months "anl until the end OF the
next session of Congress thereafter"
Senator Fall asked that the hill go to
the Foreign Relations Committee and
Chairman stone consented after he had
objected to the way in which the measure
mad been introduced.
With three more ships sunk upon
which there were American citizens the
week of tension ended here with no
promise OF relief. still undecided as TO
just when he should go before Congress as
and admittedly worried because the Ger
man threat has In effect swept Ameri-
can shipping Illegally off the seas, Presi-
dent Wilson has sought temporary
refuge In further delay. He decided "a
let matters rest until next week. and the
whole series Of momen;ous problems
calling for decision have consequently
been deferred until then.
The possibility that Secretary Lansing
who left last night for three day visit
to White Surphur Springs may in reality
be preparing an important document for
the President was given some credence
to-day. especially in diplomatic quarters.
Watching HOLLANDS Attitude.
Germany's raid on Dutch shipping was
given particular attention because II Is
understood here that the vessels virtually
were in the service OF the Dutch Govern
! ment 4 serious crisis Is expected I,
result. though it Is realized that Holland
| would be loatA to risk the consequences
Of actual hostll!ties with Germany.
officials here are watching very close
ly the attitude of the European neutrals
Hollands situation Is regarded now as
the most desperate. with foodstuffs SC
scarce that slaughter OF her immense
cattle droves Is contemplated as the only
way out. Sweden s reported in the
throes OF bitter dlssension AZ TO the send
ing out Of Swedish ships to face the Ger
man sea terror Norway and Denmark
have already been reported as heavy
losers, SPAN III hlIOWu 10 nave TeaCntO
y serious stage In her relations witt,
Germany, while Switzerland has been
forced to adopt war rationS pro.
Granme. with two meatlcss days weel,
and other restrictions.
The sinking Of hire. more vessels with
Americans on board by German cub.
marines We're. meanwhile reported of.
flcially TO the state Department by
American consuls.
American Consul Osborn nj Havre
reported that the Skrim was sunk by
bombs planted in the ship aftcr warming
had been given. The Skrin was IN
ballast and bound from Trcport to Car
diff. The crew, fourteen In number
included Louis Pinto. Porto Rican
They We're rescued after twenty hours In
small boats,
American Consul Frost at Queenstown
reported that the bark Blenheim VIZ.
sunk of Fastnet ny shell frc after heI
crew had abandoned the ship. and with
out injury 10 any OF the ships per
sonnel This ship sailed from Pcnsa
cola, Fla, January 10 for Greenock. The
sole American on board was Solomon
Troiche. born in Porto Rico who's.
parents reside at 1865 Montgomery
street San Francisco.
On board the bark Alice, carryins
coal from Port Albert to Treport. wa,
an American. Theodore Joseph. Th,
ship was sunk by bombs being plante,
by the Germans aboard her,