The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-19
Win tuaI State of HOstilities Ex-
lists Between Nations.
20 American Lives Lost; 3
Z. s. Vessels Sunk.
COVERT ACT" COMMITTED
No Question Now as to Attitude
of German Government.
City of Memphis, Illinois and
VigiIancia Sent Down.
ARE CALM AT WASHINGTON
New War Shock Arouses No
Undue Emotion at Capital.
Ships Fired On and Sunk With
out Warning by U-BOats.
New War Shock ArOuses No
Undue Emotion at Capital.
Ships Fired On and Sunk With
out Warming by U-BOats.

Washington, March 19.-The Uni
ted States and Germany are on the
verge of open hostilities.
With a virtual state of war existing
a result of the ruthless sinking by
German submarines of three American
freighters, it is now believed newt
able that the first meeting between
an armed American merchant vessel
and a U-boat will mark the opening
of actual hostilities.
Semi-official view is united that
Germanys destruction of three Amer
lean vessels with possible loss of twen-
ty American lives leaves no question
that the kaiser has forced this gov
eminent into state of war. 1t prob
ably will have been found to have ex-
listed since the American steamer Al
gonquin was sunk last Wednesday.
No Effect on Germany.
The state of armed neutrality" in
which this government was placed By
the president continues; altho it APP
parently has failed of its object to
prevent sinking of such ships as the
Laconia, Algonquin, the City of Mem
phis, the Illinois and the Nigilancia-
That the president, as his next step.
would call congress- in extra session
even before its scheduled meeting
date. April / 6, was deemed likely by
some, tho preponderant view was that
he would have them assemble the
sixteenth, then inform them that a
state of war had existed. since March
18 and ask real war measures
1t was expected Wilson would con-
suit his premier and other author
tiles during the day. And having
broad war power already, according
to legal experts. it is regarded prob
a he f.t-
protective means than merely arma-
ment of American merchantmen.
Navy May Take Vigorous Action
The navy may be called upon to
take a vigorous hand, searching OUT
and destroying submarines Any call
for an army undoubtedly will await
full authorization from congress I'M
der declaration of war.
The president studied dispatches
from abroad up to an early hour this
morning and was up early to receive
any further reports on the three latest
sinkings from Consul Frost. Queens
town. and Consul General Skinner at
London.
The messages thus far at hand left
but little hope that no American lives
had been sacrificed. The report of
men missing seemed to carry the
doieful conviction that they had
persisted when the German U-boats
carried out their orders.
Largest American Haul Yet.
Sinking of the three vessels, the
largest American haul yet made, was
attended by circumstances that justi-
fled the administration conviction that
Germany is going the limit and that
this nation can hope for no favorab bic
exceptions, but despite the fact that
the United States is nearer a call to
arms today, there is unruffled calm in
Washington, not only among officials
but among the people of the capital.
Apparently Washington, thru ever
recurring experience with internation-
al shocks, is no longer susceptible to
emotion There is no war spirit in
evidence.
% Men Arc Missing.
London, March 19.-ShortIy before
noon today United States consular re-
ports to the American embassy here
declared captains boat of torpedoed
American steamer City of Memphis
was still unaccounted for. There were
eight men in this boat.
In all twenty-five men of the crews
of two of the three American ships
sunk by German submarines, were
missing today.
The three ships were the American
steamers Vigilancia. City of Memphis
and Illinois. All of the crew of the last
named were safely landed.
The Figilancia was struck by a tor
pedo without warning Lookouts did
not even see the periscope of the sub
marine. nor did the U-boat emerge
from the sea after the ship had been
struck her death blow
The City of Memphis was struck
first by shell fire by the submarine
and then sunk by torpedo.