Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-03-27
WAR MAY FOLLOW
SINKING OF j. S.
SHIPS BY U-B0ATS
CABINET MEMBERS URGE PREsl-
DENT WILSON TO SUMMON
CONGRESS AT ONCE.
AMERICAN LIVES ARE LOST
Officials Say Germany's Submarine
Attacks Cause Virtual State of
War-Rush Work on Fleet
of U-Boat chasers.

Washington, D. c., March - For
two hours on Tuesday President Will
son discussed the international crisis
with his cabinet, and heard urgent
suggestions that the date for the ex-
ira session of congress. fixed for April
is, be set forward to consider further
steps in defense of American COM
merce against German submarines. 1t
is understood there was not dissent
ing vote against this advice.
Among officials virtually the uDani-
nous opinion is that in spite of the
technical armed neutrality statute of
the United States, actually a state of
war exists as the result of the ruth
less destruction of American merchant
ships and the killing of American cit
liens in defiance of international law
and of the most solemn warning one
nation can give another. The only
question is What shall be done about
it, further than the arming of mer-
chantmen to resist submarine attacks
if they get the chance?"
Favor War Declaration.
The cabinet members generally are
said to have expressed their willing
ness to support a program based on
an early call for congress and a for
NAL declaration that state of war
exists between Germany and the Unit
ed States.
After the cabinet meeting Secretary
Daniels, saying that no new naval or
ders had been issued, hurried to the
navy department and went into con-
ference with members of the general
board.
The only argument known to have
been advanced in official circles
against the early calling of congress
was that che president himself can do
almost everything possible immedi-
ately. But in spite of this argument
the preponderance of official opinion
seemed TO be that congress should be
summoned just as soon as possible so
that the full power of the government
would be assembled in Washington.
May Cooperate With Allies.
1t is stated in official circles that
the United States, Great Britain and
France may join in garding the
transatlantic ship lanes against Ger
man U-boats, and that the work of in
formal negotiations with these nations
will probably be undertaken this week
through the state department and the
British and French embassies here.
With it's proposed big fleet of patrol
and submarine chaser boats, plus larg-
e. naval vessels, the United States
will be in position to offer protection
to commerce off the American coast,
while Great Britain and France will
be expected to reciproeate in the
barred zone.
See Menace to U. S. Coast.
Navy meE believe that the subma-
rine menace may be brought directly
home; that facts such as the U-53
performed off Nantucket last summer
will be repeated.
Navy and army departments are buzz
ling with preparations. The navy
bears the brunt of the work, but un-
der the surface the army has shaped
its plans whereby it can call out the
national guard anew and also provide
sufficient officers for the training of a
half million men.
The New York navy yard is at work
on forty submarine ehasers,a hastily
ordered, while bids have been opened
for 200 or more Ito foot boats avail
able for coast patrols and submarine
chasers.
Sink Three American Steamers.
London, March 19.-The sinking of
the American steamships City of Mem
phis, Illinois and Vigilancia was an
nounced here.
Fourteen men from the Vigilancia
are missing. as are some of the men
from the City of Memphis. The crew
of the tank steamship Illinois was
landed safely.
The City of Memphis. in ballast
from Cardiff for New York, was sunk
by gunfire. The second officer and
10 men of the crew have been landed
A patrol boat has gone in search of
the other members of the crew.
The Illinois. from London for Port
Arthur. Tex, in ballast, was sunk at
eight o'clock Sunday morning.
Torpedoed Without Warning.
The Vigilancia was torpedoed with
out warning. The submarine did not