South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-23
Will be Added to List of
Crimes Which President is
to Enumerate When
Congress COnVeneS.
MEDIATION OFFER is
SURE TO BE REJECTED
Various Bodies Are to Meet in
Washington and Aid in
Getting Country Ready
For Conflict.
Internatlonal News Service

international News Service.
WASHINGTON. March 25.--De-
struction OF the Standard oil tanker
Healdton, with consequent loss OF p
lives. merely added today TO the
grave tension in official circles. It
increases the list OF the crimes
which will be cited 10 congress by
Pres't Wilson when that body meets
one week from next Monday. IL is
not expected that any new action
viii be made at this time.
The very fact that the tanker was
torpedoed without warning almost
i'm the very shadow Of the Terschell-
ing lightship on the coast OF neutral
Holland intensifies the concern here
and brings home 20 ofiicialdom that
no vessel now is safe anywhere on
she ocean from submarine frightful-
ness. Complete. official reports have
been requested by the state depart
ment
President I'm Charge.
Pres't Wilson is In direct charge
Of all immediate defense prepare
tions Elaborate reports or every
detail are kept before him and until
he has presented the situation 10
congress he viii see only essential
callers. At his request Sec'y OF War
Baker has summoned the advisory
council 10 meet here tomorrow with
the council Of national defense. A.
that time reports VIII be presented
by all com mittees showing what al
ready has been accom- plished.
1t also has been arranged for the
committee on labor OF the council
OF which Samuel Gompers is chair
man. 10 meet here simultaneously
with congress on April 2. 10 devise
plans for speeding up all along the
line I'm defense preparations. II is
expected that the committee viii az
that time make arrangements so
that when a state Of war officially
is declared i'm progress the eight
hour day will be waived in all lines
OF industry in which needs OF the
government are supplied and ar
engagements viii De made 20 permit
private industries 20 follow the ex-
ample Of the navy yards. 20 work
men as long as possible paving
them overtime AZ the rate ~ time
and one-half
Angered Over Proposal.
Officials still were angered TODAY
over the mediation suggestion
fathered in Sweden and proposed q.
the American minister I'm stockholm.
Ira Nelson Morris bv which 50 was
proposed that Sweden act as medi-
ator 20 reconcile the differences be
tween Germany and the United
States. The state department may
comment on u later
Because the propositions come
from friendly nation it viii have
20 be rejected II 60 ever is officially
presented. in courteous manner no
matter what the feelings OF the
United States actually NAV be. How
ever. the fact that such "a suggestion
comes a. the very moment when
American vessels are being sunk
without warning in supposedly
friendly waters has incensed Of
hclals very much. They also arc
inclined % inquire about the meth
DDS in which publicity was sought
been communicated 20 the state de-
parment.
No word has been received from
the four United States consuls last
reported detained ar Munich. Ger
many. They had been ordered trans
ferred 20 Turkey and Germany had
insisted that they could not proceed
70 their new posts until 81 was de-
termined whether they were salts
factory 20 Turkev The state de-
parment has so far been unable IN
its inquiries through Or Ritter. the
Swiss minister. who now represents
German interests in the United
States. - get word Of the wheSs-
abouts o. these men. In view 81
the experiences Of Ambassador Ger
ard and his party officials admit
they are apprenticeship over the
treatment these Americans may be
receiving.