Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-20
WILSON AND CABINET
HOLD WAR COUNCIL
Action OF Government to Be Deter.
rinsd soerPrssidsnt May Issue
Proclamation Declaring State Of
War Exists or May Decide to Call
spseiaI Session, Of cessrsss-Feres-
ful Action Under Way.

1 atoms Of German submarines are ex-
pected to take more definite form after
{ today's cabinet meeting.
AS has been the case since all Off
I HciaiS Washington acknowledged that
: state Of war practically exists between
the United States and Germany, there
is wide speculation Of the precise ac-
ton the president expects to take.
Y Calling Of congress in extra session
before Aprn 1s. the day first chosen
for. its assembly, still continues fore
most among the probabilities, but
there are no Indications that President
Wilson had finally decided upon it. On
tlie other Aanl there was some indica-
tlon that ths day Of assembling would
not be advanced.
ThA work Of carrying out armed
neufrality is being hurried by the
naval department. Active cooperation
4 at - with the British and French
I nsete 4 tn prospect Il
WI pseseeul Aeaie0 piannsd.
s-4s ith0pt AWAi1ing - the pE0clanA-
fi6n ls1sg ygiissn I = expected 70
\ y 1u1 f tosnorT0w that I sta1a
I ~ ~ ~ iBtD between the sU1ltetl
j States md Germany. the government
st0day prepared for forceful action to
clear transatlantic ship lanes Of Ger
man submarines.
Sixty submarine chasers. 10 feet
long, speedy craft, were ordered from
xyo n 10 ho
pleted in about two months and bids
w for 200 more will be opened by the
& naval department tomorrow.
The naval academy was ordered to
graduate the senior class March 20
= and the junior class in September, so
that s74 more Junior officers may be
available speedily
1000 Submarins Chassrs.
The president has authorized e1-
penditure Of the $115,0o0.000 emer-
gency fund provided by congress to
speed up construction Of warships and
\ suspended the law limiting labor in
government plants to eight hours a
day.
Naval officers authorized plans to
call out privately-owned motor boats
and for manning the 1000 submarine
chasers and patrol boats to be ready
for action within four months.
The New Orleans navy yard was to-
4 day ordered to build at once four sub
marine chasers. The New York yard
yesterday was ordered to build sixty.
Holds Germany 10 Making War;
1t was learned definitely before the
cabinet meeting that the president,
while considering deliberately all
phases Of the situation, had not final
" made up his mind on any forward
step beyond the preparation Of the
navy for any eventuality.
For the present the president takes
the position that at all events the ma
tioi must be placed IN a better state of
preparedness because he believes Ger
many is making war on this country.
The president is known to believe
i that the objects he held in. mind-the
establishment OF a league to preserve
future Ipeace-has been set far forward
By the revolution Russia, The MUIR.
nurings; OF autocracy In Germany are
also being considered
9Eats Of War Now Exists. '
No doubt now remains In the minds
of most officials that unless there is
sornS unlocked for change before con-
gress meets the president will open the
extra session with an address making
clear the new position into which he
feels the United States has been forced
by Germany's disregard for American
rights.
The indications before the cabinet
4 $assemblediwere that there would be no
change in the situation before tomor-
row, altho it was possible that discus
sion at the meeting might lead the
!, president TO act at once.
administration A officials believe the
nation already virtually Is in state OF:
war with Germany and the only aues-
tion undecided Is whether there shall be
I'm isamediate announcement of that
status thru q new call for congress or
5Othersyise.
May Enlist Wemsn.
~ Secretary Daniels today ordered
! naval cpmmandants at shore stations
ana all recruiting officers to be pre-
4 nared to enlist women in the act9al
I naval service In case of emergency. The
sjudge adyocate general has ruled that
Z women can be enlisted under the laws
81 7 r. iila tiux recruiting. While 1t is not
sGided 10 place women aboard ships
|sfhey may be utilixed for shore duty in
y; ! xS5s, ssth zssoast defense work -
MJ3sades corresponding to- the yeonaan
81 Z. u