Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-19
Destruction of Three Steam.
ers Attended With Loss
Of Lives.
CONGRESS MAY BE
CALLED TO ACT
President Considering Steps to EN-
pioy Submarine chassrs in Effort to
Clsar Sea Lanes Of .Boats-No
Doubt, Some Aggressive Action Will
Be Taken, Without Consent Of Con-
sress-cIear Cause For War.

Washington, March 19-New and
aggressive action to protect American
shipping against German submarines
appears certain as the result of the
sinking of three unarmed American
with the possible loss Of
American lives.
Calling of congress in extra session
before April 16 loomed up as a posi-
bility.
With American ships already being
armed, the most probable step would be
an active campaign to clear subma-
rines, out of the shipping lanes. There
appeared to be no plan to have the
United States enter the war in the
sense that the European nations have
entered it.
Need Submarine chassrs.
4 The fact that some American ships
are on the other side of the ocean un-
armed Is a factor in the situation, and
as large warshtps are Ineffective
against Submarines the problem for the
government is to get small submarine
Echasers. X I, ~ i.
s.s, Most of the American sfeet is
needed at home to guard against oper-
alton Of German submarines in Amer
lean waters
There seemed to be no doubt that
steps to protect American ships would
whether the president would take such
steps on his own responsibility or await
the action of congress
Secretary Lansing was called to the
White House by President Wilson early
today and they discussed the policy Of
the government
Several Courses Open.
president Wilson considered courses
open to him. He might continue arm
ing merchantmen until the special ses-
sion Of congress April 16; he might
summon congress to immediate ses-
sion. or he might move forthwith to
declare a state Of war already exists.
Dispatches from the various battle
fronts took on added interest today as
officials realized that the United States
is practically certain to become in
volved in hostilities with Germany. The
war and navy departments practically
were confronted anew with the prob
lens of precisely what plans they SHAH
follow If the war comes.
Many senator's and representatives
who remain in Washington express the
opinion that the German submarines
latest acts constitute a clear cause Tor
war.
Several Americans Missing.
Tho following dispatch, undated,
M or n.
reached the state department late last
night and was given out today:
Thirty three survivors of City Of
Memphis do not include Capt. L. f.
Borum and four other Americans and
four Americans, but indications
are they are aboard some merchant OF
patrol vessel without wireless. The
captains boat did not separate from the
others until a. m. and was picked up
emptv at 10 a. M, weather remaining
moderate.
"Ship carried fifty eight persons. Al
a.b5 on the 18th the submarine fired
warning shot from three miles on the
starboard quarter. Vessel was stopped
submarine approaching to one mile
firing once more, fragments striking
vessel, ship then only being able to
read submarine signal to abandon ship
captain replied by long blast
whistle signifying comprehension. then
rave four short blasts, signal to crew
to take to boats, which was done In
five minutes. No injuries. Submarine
came up, hailed captains boat, fired
eight shots sinking vessel. Weather
heavy. Southwest swell, sky squally,
weather improved during night.
No Attsmpt, to Resist.
First officers boat picked up by ad-
miralty ship 3:45 a. m. today. Chie1
engineers boat $3.50 a. m. today by
same vessel. Landed Queenstown 4:S0
D. m. today without accident.
Carried no gun. No attempt to re-
sist. When captain is located he may
have further evidence.
Survivors here include First OFFICER
Charles e. Laird, Chief Engineer W. r
Percy, Assistant Engineer Fred Devil
Third Officer NJ. j. Tierlan, Third En-
gineer w. n. Thompson, p. A. Donahue
and T. ]. welch, wireless operator. and
eight other Americans ten Spaniards
two Danes and one each Swede, Rus
sian and Chilean.
.City Of Memphis was stopped by
submarine Feb. off Scilly Islands.
Failure to use wireless this time was
due to experience Of former occasion
due to ship being passed wireless not