The Green Forest tribune., 1917-03-23
J. 5. PREPARES FOR
 WAR WITH GERMANY
PRESIDENT AUTHORIZED ExPEN- DITURE OF $115,OOo,ooo TO
 SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION.
ORDER SUBMARINE CHASERS
British and French Naval Patrols Will Assist in Protecting American Ships Passing Through Ger
 man Submarine Zone.

Washington.-Prep for ag- gressive action by the navy against the German submarine menace began at the direction of President Wilson.
 The president authorized the expen- diture of the 5,000,000 emergency fund provided by Congress to speed up naval construction and pay for special additional war craft, and the suspension of the eight-hour labor law in plants engaged on navy work.
 Immediately afterward Secretary Daniels ordered the New York navy yard to begin building 60 submarine chasers of the 110-foot type, to be completed in from 60 to 80 days.
 With the presidents approval the secretary also ordered the graduation of the first and second classes at the naval academy The first class will go out March 29, releasing 172 junior officers to fill existing vacancies, and the second in September, furnishing POP more full year before they otner- wise would be available.
 While the energies of the navy will be concentrated for the present on eff forts to get into commission craft de- signed particularly to destroy subma- rines 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.
 ,4c t1,o partment 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.
 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 gov ernment property overnight.
 Volunteer crews for the boats have been enrolled among yatchmen and others along the coasts. Com handlers of naval districts are ready to call them out and begin patrol work with virtually no delay.
 Navy officials estimate that within four months a fleet of 2,000 patrols and chasers will be ready for action It is planned to assemble the volun- teers within a few days to begin actual operations az a matter of train ing, pending orders from the presi- dent for complete mobilization
 In this connection officials say it is planned to establish submarine proof patrol of the American coast, insuring safe passage to and from American ports for all ships. Since the visit of the German submarine U-33 to Newport last sumner made it clear that the underwater craft could ope- rate across the Atlantic, it is believed necessary to provide for protection of American harbors in the event of war.
 Informal negotiations will be start ed for a working agreement with the British and French patrol squadrons now endeavoring to protect ships passing through the German subma- rine zone. It is planned to make American waters safe against subma- rines for all ships, with the under. standing that American ships will re- ceive full protection in the zones from patrols of the allies. The plan would necessitate the interchange of infor- nation as to the routing of merchant craft to and from across the Atlantic.