Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-19
ELlI(EE u. s. VESSELS
\ BY U-BOAT CALLED OVERT ACT

- frsa Pass 0ss
I11lp Algonquin was sunk last wednes
- state of ARMED neutrality" in which
0overnment was placed by the Presi
oontinues, although It apparently has
- OF Its object--to prevent what hap
I'D when the Laconia. Algonquin, the
n Of Memphis the Illinois and the Vigil
.cja were sunk
That the President. as his next step
Ould call Congress In extra session even
44fore its scheduled meeting date. April
E14 wss deemed likely. although the pre-
0ndcrant view was that he would have
Shen assemble the 18th. then inform them
1at state OF war had existed, since March
y ~ anC ask real war measures.
MAY CALL ON NAVY
5 The navy may be called upon TO take n
XIgorous hand, searching out and destroy
- submarines But any call for an army
Adoubtedly will await full authorization
nom Congress under declaration of war
W The President studied dispatches from
4 Abroad up to an early hour this morning
}. md was up early to receive any further re-
& Dorts on the three latest ruthless sinkngs
Tlfpm Consul Frost, Queenstown. and Consul
0eneral Skinner at London.
& The messages at hand left but little hope
!. nat no American lives had been sacrificed.
The report of men missing" seemed to
GArry the doleful conviction that they had
tperished when the German U-boats carried
cut their ruthless orders
a Sinking Of the three vessels the largest
american haul yet made. was attended by
circumstances that justified the Admins
tration conviction that Germany was going
the limit in her ruthlessness and that this
nation could hope for no favorable excep-
tions.
But despite the act that the United States
4 = nearer a call to arms today. there Is un-
ruffied calm in Washington. not only among
but n.
ital
Apparently Washington. through ever-re-
SURFING experience with International
shocks, Is no longer susceptible 10 emotion
There is no war spirit in evidence and the
extras announcing the sinking Of the three
American vessels failed to disturb the thea
trc-goers and pedestrians who thronged the
streets last night
SENATORS BELLIGERENT
Only a few Senators are left in Wash
1ngton, but those who are here. and who
would discuss the situation. were inclined
to be warlike in their utterances.
"The sinking Of these American vessels
With their attendant loss of American lives
. an act of war and as such we must
deal with It," said Senator Porter j. Nc
Cumber. of North Dakota, member of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
''war has been thrust upon us said
Senator Miles Poindexter. of Washington
I
war and that is to make war. aggressively
and with grim determination from the very
outset"
Congress should be called in extra ses- |
sion next week." said Senator William |
T. Borah, of Idaho.
"a This means war. nothing else. I have |
no doubt what the American response will |
oe; Il will be united response" said |
Senator W. C. Harding, of Ohio
''The situation hardly could be more |
esrious," said Senator Hoke Smith, of Geor- |
Uia.
'If the sinking of these three American
vessels Is not an overt act, / do not know |
what you would call it," said Senator John
W. Weeks, Of Massachusetts.
This is very serious matter and not
Dne for free discussion now" said Senator
Atlee Pomerene, of Ohio member of the
Benate Foreign Relations Committee.
IF there can be an overt act this is cer-
lainIy one" said Senator Duncan U.
fletcher, of Florida.