Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-07
NATION AROUSED
G|RDS ON ARMOR
FOR COMING FRAY
Every Branch Of Government
Rushing Preparation at
Top Speed
FIRST STEPS TAKEN TO
RAISE $3,5OO,OOO. 900
Navy Takes Over All Wireless
Plants--May Lend Allies
Billion or More

Washington, April THE powerful
war machines of the United States are
running full speed this afternoon
preparing to hurl unlimited men and
money against Germany.
Congress is whipping into shape the
rush war measures now before the com
mittees so that there will be no delay
in their passage when the senate and
house meet Monday.
A war steering committee will be
created for the purpose of sending en-
ergency legislation to committees that
can handle them most expeditiousIy
King George of England and King
Victor Emmanuel of Italy, officially
recognized America entrance In the
great war by kilograms Of congratula-
tions to the president.
| Representative Hubert, New York,
paved the way for efficiently organic
ing the aerial arm Of the war machine
by introducing bin creating a depart
ment in aeronautics, giving its secre-
tary portfolio in the presidents cab
met.
| AORboA H1aALc 1kuppuus
Mails to Germany were ordered stop
ped by Postmaster General Burleson,
for the duration of the war ''Mails to
! Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey
likewise ceased, as they must pass
through the enemys country.
Citizen military camps were 0rdeyed
discontinued and win be replaced by
training camps for America 3 expedi-
ltionary force to Europe.
The navy department completed seIz-
urc Of all commercial wireless plants
for war purposes and began the tTe-
mendous task Of dismantling thousands
of private radio stations throughout
the country.
The president eabled greeting to
Russia announcing that 'fthe United
States arrays itself in opposition to the
greatest enemy and menace TO democ-
raey"
/ Start Raising Funds.
Secretary McAdoo took the first step
toward raising $4,000, 100000 asked
the first war financing fund.
Suggestion was made that the United
States extend credit Of from one TO five
billion dollars to the allies
Secretary Of War Baker, General
Crowder and Major General Scott, chief
of staff, conferred with the house
military committee on the administra-
toms bill for raising men to fight Ger
I many.
Baker asked insertion of provision
in the staff bill for conscfiption of tech
nically trained men to be used in the
engineer and signal corps.
The Austrian situation, while in
; tense, remained officially in status quo
late this afternoon.
Wheat Crop Light.
Official crop estimates shew that
g winter wheat this year will be fifty mil
lion bushels less than last year and
y 240, 100000 less than the year before.
. The navy department was official
: " notified that the German cruiser
: Cormorant had been blown up by ben
. crew in the harbor of Guam with the
:. loss of at least one German officer and
, seaman. One officer and four men are
I "missing."
The first house opposition to the gen
eral staff plan for raising five hundred
!, thousand men by conscription develop
ed when Representative Anthony, Kan
a sas. announced he would introduce an
= amendment asking that the men b.
raised by the volunteer system.
!, Anthony told Secretary Baker thou
:. sands of Kansans, although willing te
;. join volunteer army, do not want t'
. Join drafted army. The general stat
. plan, Anthony said is cumbersome ane
v would take months to be put into oper
> alton. Other members of the commit
). tee showed agreement with Anthony