The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-24
NAVY GETTING. REny
pREf,Ar; Ar;ArIoNc
sIVE ACTION AGAINST GER.
MAN SUBMARINES RE.
ING SPEEDED>
Many U-BOat Chasers Ordered-Naxs,
Academy Glasses to Be Graduated
to Secure Officers at Once.


against the German submarine men
ace began today at the direction of
President Wilson.
1.-THE president authorized the .ex-
psnditure of the $4,000, 900 emer.
gency fund provided by congress to
speed up naval construction and nav
for special additional war craft and
the suspension of the eight-hour la
Dor law in plants engaged on navy
work.
Immediately, afterward Secretary
Daniels ordered the New York navy
yard to begin building sixty subma-
rine chasers of the 1I0-foot type, to
be, completed in from sixty to eighty
days. -4~. ..,i 49,. ... o..
With the presidents approval the
secretary also ordered the graduation
Of the first and secortd classes at the
naval academy. The first class will
SO, out March 20, releasing 172 junior
officers to fill existing vacancies, and
the aecond in September, furnishing
202 more full year before they 9TH
erwise would be available. ......e,
While the energies of the navy will
be concentrated for the present on ef-
forts to get into commission craft
DR. 'sned particularly to destroy SUBJ
marines and guard the coast; warship
building generally Will, be speeded up
under the recent agreement with pri-
vate builders and with the funds now
made available. .r.. ..-. q,
The announcements from the de-
partpent followed an hours confer
ence between Secretary Daniels and
the president, who walked. over from
the White House to the State, war and
navy building for the purpose.
Engines for the ..chasers'' to be
turned out by the New York plant will
be bought from private manufacture.
prs In time to have them installed
promptly upon completion of the
hulls.
Bids for 200 or more additional
craft of the same type "coast patrol
boats" as they are to be designated,
will be opened next Wednesday.
Mr.. Daniels has called upon the en-
tire small boat industry to submit
figures as to the number that would
be turned out at high speed. He plans
to mOnopolize the market with gov
ernment orders.
A large number Of privately owned
motor craft available for navy use
may be drawn upon at any time. Re-
tired navy officers have been at work
along the Atlantic coast surveying
boats for a month. Contracts have
been. made for their purchase and a
telegraphic order will make them
government property overnight.
Volunteer crews for the hoats have
been enrolled among yachtsmen and
others along the coasts.
Navy. officials estimate that within
four months a fleet Of 1000 patrols
and chasers will be ready for action.
1t Ia planned to assemble the volun-
teers within a few days to begin ac-
tual operations as a matter of train
ing. pending orders from the presi-
dent for complete mobilization of the
navy.
Officials say it is planned to estab-
lish a submarine-proof patrol off the
American coast. insuring safe passage
to and from American ports for all
ships.
Since the visit Of the German sub
marine U-63 to Newport last summer
made it clear that the underwater
craft could operate across the Attain
tic. it is believed necessary to pro-
vide for protection Of American har-
bors in the event of war.
Informal negotiations will be start
ed for working agreement with the
British and French patrol squadrons
now endeavoring to protect ships
passing through the German subma-
rine zone.
1t Is planned to make American wa
terra safe against submarines for all
ships with the understanding that
American ships will receive full pro-
lection in the war zones from patrols
OF the Allies.
The plan would necessitate inter-
change Of information as to the rout-
ing Of merchant craft across the At
lantic.
Recent naval contracts were let
with the understanding that the eight
hour law would be suspended be-
cause Of the shortage Of skilled labor