The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-03-01
ON THE VERGE
Of WAR TODAY
CLOSER TO VORTEX THAN ANY
TIME FOR WEEKS PAST.
MERCHANTMEN TO BE ARMED
Administration is Determined to Go
Ahead Regardless of What Con-
gress May Do. President Gets
Hoy's Dramatic Plea.

gress May Do. President Gets
Hoy's Dramatic Plea.
Washington, Feb. 2S.-The United
States was closer to the war vortex
today than for weeks past.
The report from Berlin today said
that Germany still holds the Yarrow-
dale prisoners after weeks of misin-
formation, the immense break which
is about to take place with Austria,
the Chancellors speech against Ameri-
cans and the Laconia sinking all serv-
ed to make German-American rela-
tions more dangerous.
The administration it is reported is
now prepared to go ahead with the
aiming of the American merchantmen
even IL Congress does not give them
the right to do so.
The administration is determined to
guard American lives and rights re-
CARELESS of any action Congress may
take to thwart the administration
will.
Demands Revenge.
The dramatic plea of Austin Hoy
whose mother and sister We're killed
in the Laconia sinking demanding that
the United States avenge the death
was received today by cable to Presi-
dent Wilson.
"As an outraged American cali up
on my country to preserve its citizens,
Iserve respect and save others of my
country men from such terrible grief
as | now face" said the message. "If
my country can use me against these
brutal assassins | am at its call" eff
lit stultifies my manhood and my ma
tons by leaving passive this outrage
1 would seek my chances under an
lother fiag.''
Break is Near.
London. Feb. 2S.-Report here to-
day says that break is very near
at hand between America and Aus
tia. British newspapers continue
to declare that theN Laconia sinking
cannot be construed otherwise than
as an overt act.
Died From Exposure.
London, Feb. 2S.-Mrs. Mary HOY.
the American woman who persisted
in the Laconia disaster, died at 1880
a. M, Monday, and her daughter,
Elizabeth, All hour later. according
to information obtained from Amer
lean Consul Frost at Queenstown.
Both died from exposure in the cold
in an open boat after it had been
partly swamped in launching. Both
the mother and the daughter were
buried in the sea at daybreak.
Say Sinking Justified.
Berlin, Feb. 2S.-First editorial
comments of newspapers ON the
sinking of the Cunard liner Laconia
justify the sinking on the groundsthat
the English people do not use their
vessels in the right way.
An editorial in the Gaglische Rund-
sechuse said: THE Laconia was on
the British list of war cruisers in
1916. If she has now met her fate
in the passenger service this is one
time out of many where the English
admiralty uses ship first as war
ship then as passenger ship and
finally as a hospital ship. Whether
this is done for tactical advantage
or is result of shortage in ships,
we do not know"
Allies Want U. S.
New York, Feb 29.-The allies want
the United States on their side in case
of war was the word brought today by
the United States senator elect Hale
of Maine who has been in Europe for
several months studying the condi-
lions.
IL talked with Lloyd George and
other officials and without exception,
they are elated over Americas break
with Germany" Hale said. "They be-
lieve that the next omye will carry
the United States into the war on the
allies side"
Given Guns, Gunners and Coin.
Washington. Feb. 2S.-The House
Foreign Affairs committee today
agreed to report a bin granting Presi-
dent Wilson guns, gunners and $780,
100000 to protect American ships and
American lives against unlawful at
Jacks on the nlgn seas.
The president was refused the au-
thority from the use of "other instru-
mentals" aside from money. guns and
gunners.
The next step toward passage of this
report is to obtain a present rule for
an early vote. This probably will not
take effect in the rules committee be-
fore tomorrow and the house may
await the Senates action first.
Representative Shackleford Demo
crat will make minority report de-
lclaring that the United States should
lgive up her rights on the high seas
rather than to 90 to war under the