Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-24
THIS GOVERNMENT
TO TAKE SWEEPING
ACTION AT ONCE
Preparations Not to Be
Marked by Any Half
Way Measures.
COMPLETE PROGRAM
READY FOR CONGRESS
Military, as Well as Naval, Co.
Operation With Entente
Allies Is Probable.
AMPLE MONEY AND SUPPLIES
Whether an american Army Will Be
Sent Abroad Is Question
for Future.
AMPLE MONEY AND SUPPLIES
fBy Associated Press. ]

N'ri ii.N'i'N, Narcn e5-lhe
American government has decided
upon sweeping measures to be put into
effect following the expected declara-
ton by Congress soon after 1t meets
on April that Il state of war exists
between the United states and Ger
many.
Fully appreciating Germany's policy
of acting in war first and talking af-
terwards. the government has deter
mined to provide against every pos
sible emergency.
Questions involved were discussed to-
day at Il Cabinet meeting to which the
heads OF departments carried reports
on preparations already made and
others contemplated.
Regretfully. the government appar-
emily has decided that since Germany
is making war upon the United States
through ruthless killing Of Americans
and destruction of their ships, the Issue
must be met with steps much more
far-renching than mere attempts to
protect individual merchant craft. Once
L state Of war Is declared to exist, ag-
gressive measures are expected to be
taken.
AS outlined after to-day's Cabinet
meeting. the preparations OF the gov
ernment are not to be for short war,
or II war marked by halfway meas
ures. y complete program has been
prepared. so that everything will be
carried out in systematic manner.
10 BE UNSPARING IN
MONEY AND SUPPLIES
The exact measure of American par
ticipation In the war is not expected
TO be revealed until after the President
addresses Congress, and until public
sentiment crystalizes. So far as is
known, no political alliances with the
entente allies is contemplated. al
though military. as we'll as naval. CO.
operation Is possible, and the govern
ment will be unsparinS in both money
and supplies for the allies.
The Presiden; has not yet written
his address to Congress. although he
has a general idea OF what he Will
propose.
Whether an army will be sent abroad
is left to the future. But this possi-
bility is being taken into considera-
ton. and the government proposes to
be ready for il AS soon as practicable.
Detailed plans requiring congress
sional action are expected to be COM
plete when Congress meets on April
>. Prior to that time the leaders will
confer with the President and members
of his Cabinet. Speaker Clark and
Representative kitchin returned to
Washington to-day from the South.
The measures decided upon are mil
itary, naval. Industrial and financial.
They are understood 10 be most COM
i,rchrnSiVe.
FULLY TO PROTECT L. =.
AGAINST ANY CONTINGENCY
The army plans have been fully
drawn. Their first object will be to
fully protect the United states against
any continsency.
The navy program coutemplates the
building OF vessels OF all classes as
rapidly as possible. and the manning of
them as fast as they are completed.
secretary Daniels Will confer with
private builders tomorrow.
The industrial plans being co-ordfi-
mated by the Council OF National De-
fensc include the mobilization OF
skilled and unskilcd labor for the man
u.Icture OF munitions III AS large guam
titles possible. and also for the con-
,inuance of all necessary industries.
Adminisi ration officials realize that
during the period OF waiting sus-
tanned effort is being made i'm Germany
to place the responsibility for war on
the United states. The hint of an oner
OF mediation is regarded as an added
evidence of this movement. but the
President and all his advisors are de-
tarmincd that ii war actually comes.
il shall he clear to the world that it
has not hccn Of Americas choosing.
The President. to keep In touch with
army and navy preparations, Cancelled
practically all engagements to-day eN-
ccnt one with Governor Mccall. OF
Massachusetts. who wanted to confer
on ways in which the state might CO.
operate with the Federal government.
The question OF cooperation on sup
plying munitions is understood to bs
more pressing. 1t is understood that
the allied governments are fearful that
In preparing the American army and
navy for war operations the supply Of
munitions to the armies In Franco
might be decreased at vital m moment.
Plans are being considered for a CO.
operative distribution of output which
would DO most effective.