The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-31
KNOWS OF GERMAN PLOTS.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT r
HAS SECURED INFORMATION
OF TEUTONIC IN.
TRIGUES.
NO Developments are Expected PriOs
TO Assembling of Congress, Which
would Change Conditions From
Present Status-Gathering OF Re-
sources Continues,

N'"SN oShhilSiy tOuay tnat the
american government has no knowl-
edge of any development likely &c
come before congress convenes which
would change the presehx situatio:
between the United stasss and Ger
many.
II Germany contemplates any sor;
Of peace move or has considered
abandoning submarine ruthles6ness OF
If any other nation has steHa lsi7fII
designed to alter the present Inter
national status. the government is
without information on the subject.
Except for information concernin,
German plots, the public knows as
much Of the general situation as docs
the government. Concerning German
intrigue in this and other countries
the government has much informa-
ton which up to the present it has
rot thought wise to make public.
President Wilson continued confer
ence with his advisers. preparatory
to writing the address he will deliver
to congress next week. :
The administration is said to be
chiefly concerned at present with the
form Of action to be taken by congress
recognizing that Germany is making
war on the United States and with
preparedness measures
Aggressive steps. while being care
fully considered, are understood to he
looked upon as questions for deter
mination after congress has defined
the status Of the nation.
Whether suggestions that a hug
loan or gift of money to one or NOR,
OF the entente allies should be adopt
ed, whether an army should be sem
abroad, anu whether Increased SUP
plies OF munitions should be fo,-
warded are generally regarded a..
question which would only confuse
the issue if pressed TO decision now
The president has told no one jus
what his message to congress will in
ciude. 1t is expected to review the
history of the negotiations with Ger
many leading up to the present situa
ton and submit what he believes con-
gress should do. The preponder-
ance of opinion still is that congress
will adopt resolution declaring ths
a state of war exists.
The president conferred during Tho
day with Col. e. NJ. House, who came
here last night. and returned to New
York today, and with Senator Hu.tils
OF Wisconsin, just back from home.
Secretaries Lansing. Daniels and
Baker met to discuss activities com
mon to their departments and at the
department Of labor. there was q CON
ference to lay plans for the mobiliza.
tion of the labor forces of the coum-
try. Secretary Daniels. Attorney Gen
eral Gregory and Secretary McAdoc
paid brief visits to the White House
On leaving the White House Senat,,
Husting said he could not give the
presidents views, but that his per-
sonal opinion was that Germany is
making war on the United States and
that the United States should recog-
Hize that fact. He added he believed
the people Of the West ready to sup
port the president fully.
ARMED neutrality has not kept
Germany from sinking our ships"
Senator Husting said. "and therefor,
think we should go further. q;
course. I am opposed to war if it can
he avoided, but we have no say ir
the matter.
Germany is making war on us. ]
en- not concerned with details jus
row; just what steps are best should
he left to the determination of the
board of strategy, whoever that may
he. Discussion Of details at present
only causes discord."
President Wilson and practically
every member of his cabinet have re-
ceived invitation within the last few
days to address patriotic meetings il
various arts of the country, but s.
far have consistently refused to ac-
cept them. They have done so parity
because they have been too busy here
with actual preparations, and partly
because they do not desire to be plac- |
cd in a position of making efforts to |
stir up the country. They believ
that the nation is fully aware OF the |
danger Of the present situation and /
will respond readily to any reasonabl' |
dc mand for money or for men.