The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-03-20
u. S. Ships Sunk
Without Warning
Merchant Vessels Torpe-
doed by German Subma-
rines-State of WariNow
Exists, it is Declared.

cha was announced Sunday. Fourteen
.Ben from the Vigilancia are missing
SIS are some of the men Of the City of
Memphis. The crew of the Illinois
was landed safely
The Vigilancia was torpedoed with
out warning. The submarine did not
appear. The captain, first and second
mates, first, second and third engi-
Eeers and twenty-three men of the
crew have been landed at the Scilly
Islands. The fourth engineer and thir-
teen men are missing.
The City Of Memphis, in ballast from
Cardiff for New York, was sunk b.
sunfire. The second officer and fifteen
nIen of the crew have been landed. A
patrol boat has gone in search OF
other members of the crew. During
The night the boats became separated
and at 4 o'clock Sunday morning three
boat crews were picked up by patrol
vessel and landed. The boats contain
Cd thirty-three men, mostly Ameri-
cans. All Of the officers were Ameri-
cans. The officers believed that the
other boats will be rescued. The
Illinois, from London for Port Arthur
Tex. in ballast, was sunk at o'clock
Sunday morning.
With the announcement of the ruth
less destruction of three unarmed
American merchantmen by submar-
ines il was unoficially admitted in
Washington that virtually a state of
var exists between the United States
and Germany.
Technically the United States re-
mains in a position of armed neutral
ity. Whether this shall be changed be
fore April Is, the date fixed for a
special session Of Congress, the war
rsaking branch of the government,
PRESIDENT Wilson has not decided.
One step the President is contem.
plating is a call for an immediate ses-
sion Of Congress TO hear an address
asking for the authority to adopt ag-
gressive measures against the submar-
inc menace. Already American ships
are bling armed to defend themselves:
the next movement must be to send
Varstfps with orders TO seek out sub
marines and clear the transatlantic
lane.
OF the three ships destroyed, two of
them were unloaded and homeward
bound, and all were American-built,
American-owned and Differed and
raanned largely by American citizens
Meager dispatches indicate that all
were sunk with complete disregard for
the safety Of those on board, and that
some of the members of crews may
have been lost.
The developments brought the gov
eminent face to face with the problem
Of formulating a definite policy for
the nation in case the United States
actually enters the war. This possibii-
ity was mentioned by the President in
lis inaugural address, March 5.
WASHINGTON, Mar l9.-Reports of
preparations for a dash TO sea by elev-
IN war-bound German ships at Santo
Rosalia, Lower California, in the event
Of war between Germany and the
United States, have been received a.
The State and Navy Departments and
ny the French and British embassies
The interest of the United States in
such dash is, at present, purely pas
,sive as the ships are not in an Ameri
can port and this government has nc
jurisdiction over them. The allied
government undoubtedly look to the
Mexican government to prevent the
German ships taking to sea as com
MERGE raiders. Japanese warships
which have been conducting practical
y all operations in the Northern AT
Iantic for the allies, probably woulc
Re called on TO look after them.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-Secre
1ary Daniels is considering the ad
disability of seeking the personal co
oneration of nress association official