Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-03-23
European Neutral to Intervene
With U. S., Seeking Delay,
But to No Avail.
NATION PREPARES FOR WAR
Plans for Entering Great Con-
flict Are Rushed, as Days
of Suspense Pass.

WASHINGTON. March 22-Word
that a European neutral might offer
mediation to prevent open war be
tween the United States and Germany
has come to tn. administration with
out causing surprise or in any way
affecting the governments plan for
meeting the situation forced by sub
marine ruthlessness. Such proposal
is regarded here as nothing more than
another scheme fostered by Germany
with the hope of confusing the issue
and possibly dividing sentiment in this
country while the destruction of
American lives and ships on the high
seas continues.
At the state department. today Of
ficials would neither deny nor con
firm that the government already had
been approached on this subject llthc
| ii was admitted informally that some
such move was not unexpected. II was
very cmphatically stated that no sug
| gestion OF mediation or discussion
would be considered unless it was ac-
| companied by abandonment Of illegal
assaults upon American shipping, a
course to which there is no reason for
| believing the imperial government is
| giving thot
To Delay no Longer.
The feeling in all quarters here is
| that the United States has with in
| finite patience and forbearance done
everything possible with honor to
avoid the virtual state of war now
existing. So long as German aggres-
sion continues, officials say there Is
nothing to be done but adopt measures
| of defense and no basis exists for dis
cussion.
During the ten days that must
elapse before congress assemblies in
response tc his call President Wilson
will give close personal attention to
| the preparations going forward thru
the war and navy departments. He
saw no callers today, but was in touch
with both of the departments. He
| signed formal proclamation sus-
pending the eight-hour law as applied
TO plants engaged in naval work,
step authorized by congress as a part
OF the general plans for speeding up
| construction.
Calls Defense Council.
Secretary Baker as chairman Of tho
| council of national defense today
called the council and its advisory
| committee of heads of great indus
|
to discuss how much more work Is
necessary to put the country in a state
| or adequate Preparedness for defense
The council already has accomp-
lished much toward mobilization Of
| all the nations resources and these
results will be surveyed at Saturdays
meeting. Samuel Gompers, as chair
man OF councils committee on labor
| issued invitations to n large number
of workinen, employers and scientists
to accept membership on the com nit
tee and attend its first meeting on
April ..
Additional efforts to stimulate rec
rafting for the navy were launched
during The day. The response to the
recruiting service during the last few
months has been the best on record.
bat Secretary Daniels is determined to
fill up promptly to the full author
ized strength of 74,500 men.
Word was received that every ship
building plant capable Of building de-
stroyers would be represented at the
department Saturday when great
number OF building orders will be
placed, The department plans to build
TO the full capacity of the Yards and
the number of destr oyers to he ordered
can he determined only when that ca
pacity Is known. Cons;ruC tioa of d
! standard type boat the 35-knot ves-
sci designed last year will be ordered
| hasteucd
The newly-created compensation
board of the navy will discuss details
of the destroyer orders with the build
ers and determine the steps to be
taken. The board also will hold its
first conference on Saturday with the
builders recently awarded contracts
for battle cruisers
Ex-Sailors to Enlist.
The department is receiving an en-
couraging number of communications
from former sailors saying they will
present themselves for service in the
event of war. Most of these men
have not entered any branch of the
naval reserve because they have mar
ried and do not want to be called to
the colors for any but an actual war
emergency.
The only army order given out to-
day was the recall of the Twenty
second infantry from the border as
signed to Governors Island, n. Y.
The regiment is destined to be used
in connection with spring training
camp work and regiment also will
be sent to the central department for
that purpose. The Twenty-second
has been under canvas practically
continually since early in 1911, when
1t was called out for border service.
Its service in the field has been more
continuous than that of any other in