The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-03-22
VIRTUALLY STATE OF WAR
WILSON CONTEMPLATES IMNlE-
DIATE SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON is ArOuSed.-SOme OF
tirials Declare President Has Pow
er to Take Aggressive Steps.

fiCialS Declare IfeSlOcnt 1aS row
er to Take Aggressive Steps.
Washington. March lS.-With the
announcement of the ruthless de-
struction of three unarmed American
merchant ships by submarines, it was
unofticially admitted here tonight
that virtually a state of war exists
between the United States and Ger
many.
Technically the United States re-
mains in a position Of armed neu-
trality Whether this shall be.
changed before April l6, the date
fixed for a special session Of Con-
gress, the war making branch of the
government. President Wilson has
not decided.
One step the president is contem-
plating is a call for an immediate ses-
sion OF congress to hear an address
asking for authority to adopt aggres-
sive measures against the submarine
menace.
Already American ships are being
armed to defend themselves: the next
move must be to send warships with
orders to seek out submarines and
clear the transatlantic lanes.
Presidents Powers.
Some of the highest officials of the
government hold that tie executive
has power to declare that state OF
war exists and to proceed with ag-
gressive protective steps pending the
assembling of congress. There is no
indication, however. that President
Wilson will follow that course.
Of the three ships destroyed. two
were unloaded and homeward bound.
All were American built. American
owned and officered and manned
largely by American citizens.
Meagre dispatches indicate that all
we're sunk with complete disregard
for the safety of those on board and
that some of the members of the
crew may have been lost.
Today's developments brought the
government face to face with the
problem of formulating definite
policy for the nation in case the Unit
ed States actually enters the war.
This possibility was mentioned by the
president in his inaugural address
March D.
All of the conditions outlined by
the president in his message an
nouncing the diplomatic break with
Germany as leading to state OF
armed neutrality have now been full
filled.
The overt act" described by him
then has actually come. if, in fact,
it had not already been committed
when the president went before con-
gress. Then. since he established
state of armed neutrality without
the specific authority of congress.
President Wilson was out automo-
billing when the Associated Press dis
patch telling of the three disasters
came in quick succession.
Through Secretary Tumulty he
was given all available facts imme-
diately on his return. In the mean
time Secretary Lansing and other
State department officials. as we'll as
cabinet members. were given the in
formation.
Several hours later official reports
came from Consul Frost, at Queens
town. and Consul General Skinner, at
London. telling of the sinking of the
City Of Memphis, the Nigilancia and
the Illinois. These dispatches con-
firmed press reports, but added few
Details
International lawyers and constl-
tutional experts here showed no hesl-
fancy tonight in saying that Presi-
dent Wilson has full authority to in
terpret this as an act Of war and an
nounce that this country considers
that an actual state Of war exists by
reason OF Germany's fragrant assault
on American shipping.
Such action would be subject to
the approval of congress.
Despite the sinking Of big passen-
ger liners like the California and the
Laconia. the jeopardizing of Ameri~
cans on nearly score OF other YES
sells and the sinking of three other
American ships. the HOusatOnlc. the
Lyman VI. Law. and the Algonquin.
since the unrestricted warfare began.
some officials. inspired by the presi-
dents reluctance 10 believe that Ger
many would carry through her
threat. have chung desperately to the