Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-06
PRESIDENT IS TAKING
STEPS To PREPARE
COUNTRY FOR WAR
Legislation to Take Over Navy
Yards, Munitions Plants and
Other industries, + Necessa-
~, Discussed With Officials
CBy Associated Press. J

by ASsooiAted Press
LONDON. Feb. s.-Reuter's Rio janet
TO correspondent says there is reason TO
believe the reply OF the Brazilian govern
rnent to the German note will be in har-
mony with the attitude Of the United
States
WASHINGTON. Feb 5.-President
Wilson at conferences today with Secre-
tAry Baker. OF the war department. and
Secretary Daniels. Of the navy. discussed
expediting legislation TO empower the
government TO take possession of ship
yards. munitions plants, and other facil-
tiles for hurrying the work Of prepared
ness. If II becomes necessary.
When President Wilson left Secretary
Bakers office after a fifteen minutes
conference he said
Just routine business Nothing seri-
ozss
Before has conference with the presi-
denz. Secretary Daniels conferred with
Chairman Padgett, OF the house naval
COMMITTEES, chiefs OF all bureaus ana
assistants to plan further steps TO make
zhe navy ready.
Formal suspension of the eight-hour
law applying TO navy yards may be in
cIuded in the navy's program.
Indications are that the navy Depart
ment would decide in the event of war
TO put the building energies of the coun-
try to quick construction OF Submarines
and submarine crase<s-
Virtually all ship builders and many
zIaunition plants have already reported
10 the navy department their readiness
10 take Up any policy the government
proposes.
President Wilson today issued a
proclamation. under the authority Of the
recent shipping act prohibiting Amer1-
can ship owners from transferring their
vessels to any other registry.
He then returned TO the White House
While officials refuse to admit that
Austria's formal announcement Of her
adhesion to Gernlany's declaration Of un-
restricted submarine warfare has been
received officially. there is reason for
believing il is now before the govern
nent and that appropriate action is be-
ing considered
Despite the severance OF diplomatic
relations with Germany. President Will
son believes his long struggle to pre-
serve the country's peace has not yet
been lost. lie still hopes not only that
hostilities will be avoided, but that other
neutrals, adding their voices to that of
the United States. will unite the major
moral force of the world to compel peace
in Europe
II had not been revealed today wheth-
= er any responses had come from the
suggestions to neutrals. presented with
notification OF the break with Germany.
that they follow the example OF the
United States and thus bring to bear
10 end the war the united pressure of
the whole neutral world. The president
is known to be very hopeful that this
new stroke for peace Will hasten the
end OF hostilities-
DISPATCHES WATCHED.
With distinct anxiety cable and wire
less dispatches bearing on Germany's
newly announced war plans are being
watched for the first indication of Amer
lean lives lost or ships sunk without
. warning
officials today heard with considerable
satisfaction the reports that the Ger
man government had ordered the imme-
date release of the American sailors
taken from British ships by the Ger
man raider in the Atlantic. as demanded
BY the United States. This action was
interpreted in some quarters as an in
dtcation Of a conciltatory attitude since
formerly Germany had maintained these
men were legally prisoners OF war, hav-
4. Ing accepted service on armed belliger-
emit merchant vessels
The state department IS making eff
forts TO get a guarantee OF safe conduct
from the allied powers for Count Won
BernstorH TO return to Germany with
his stan. and preparations were under
way today 70 turn over affairs Of the
embassy here 10 the Swiss minister. Re
quests that German cOnsuls in this
country be accorded full protection have
been sent TO governors Of states and
territories BY the state department
RED CROSS PREPARES.
--r:- or &c B-u Cross throughout
the Unfted States today had orders TO
prepare Immediately for relief work
Transportation OF Belgian relief SUP
plies was temporarily suspended. but
the Spanish ambassador in Berlin was
expected to present an urgent request
today for guarantees OF immunity from
attack for vessels chartered by the
BelEian relief commission
Government officials authorized a
statement denying reports that seizure
or German war-bOund merchant ships
IN American harbors Is contemplated.
u was explained. however. that steps
have been taken to prevent the obstruc-
tio1 OF harbors by the blowing up or
sinking Of any OF these vessels.
The department Of justice also is MAX
ing secret preparations for forestalling
Expectations which German sympathIz-
ers might commit on rnunition factories
or public works. In Washington. the
capitol and state. war and navy build
" guarded. and additional police have
been placed about the Write House.