The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-03-21

country out Of the war so far, tho
/ President would be reluctant to enter
| IL now. when there are indications OF
! developments In Europe which Of
! themselves promise To hasten the end
OF the conflict
President Wilson. when he asked
Congress for authority 10 arm Ameri-
can merchantmen, declared that he
was contemplating no step that would
lead 20 war, and that he wns not con-
templating war itself. Nothing, he
said. but the war!ihe acts OF another
nation against the United States,
could bring the country into war. The
| President. the Cabinet and all official
Washington now believe that such a
moment has come and that ~ has not
been OF this countrys choosing.
Since last sunday when the three
| American ships were sunk off the
British Isles. bringing the total num-
/ Der OF Americans lost through Ger
/ man submarine operations 10 more
I than 20L. the President and all his
advisors have recognized that a state
Of war existed. From all parts OF the
country have come calls for the inn
mediate summoning Of Congress in
extra session.
Although the President by the pro-
visions OF the constitution must leave
II to Congress to make the practical
declaration OF war. such adviees as
have come TO the White House from
members OF Congress, Governors OF
States. public officials and many hun
dreds OF citizens have contained state
ments OF support OF such a policy In
It's fullest sonse.
All the resources OF the United
states Industrial as we'll as military,
are speedily being mobllized to place
the nation In the fullest state OF
readiness for any evehtuality.
For the present the responsibility
rests with the navy, which Is arming
American merchant ships. placing
rush orders Cor submarine chaBers,
spending tilt 900. 900 by special nu-
thority OF Congress 10 hurry the nav
al construction already under way,
advancing the graduation Of classes
at Annapolis, protecting American
hHrbOrs against invasion by German
submarines and marshalling the in
dustrinl resources necessary to stand
: behind tho fleets
, Plans for the army are not so fully
matured. II Is believed. however,
that President Wilson will recognize
the possibility Of the army's partici-
patton In war when he addresses
Congress by discussing the need OF
, universal military training. In ten =
tatlvo way plans for marshalling the
full strength OF the regular army.
the National Guard and the raising
I OF volunteer army OF 500.O men
al N ha A
War College. The volunteer army OF
500. 900 Is planned as a nucleus OF
what eventually would be an army
OF 100000 and would be assembled
In training camps.
The mobilization OF Industrial re-
r sources has gone r"uch further.
Hundreds OF great corporations,
, through the efforts Of the Council OF
y National Defense. have prepared
10 themselves so utilize thelg FUN EN-.
e cheney In the defense OF the nation.
d BY THE NAVY.
One Of the speoltie plans undsI
y. consideration by the Naval Genera
. Board 10 the feasibility Of establish
y ing Joint naval bases on both sidel
J. OF tho Atlantic for the use OF IN,
Ia patrollinp fleets OF the United States
Great Britain and France engaged II
" the hunt for submarines. Shoul,
Al such q plan be ado pied II will b,
II with the understanding that the CO
n operative measure 10 solely for tn
Z. purpose OF guarding merchant ships
" Bids for the first lot OF li0-foo
Il wooden huh submarine chasers an,
ID coast patrol boats were received a
- the Navy Department to-day fror
, private builders along the Atlanti
y Coast Proposals from private yard
70 In other parts OF tho country viii
D. received a week from to-day. and
:, was thought probable that to-day
~ proposals would not he made publ
until all offers are In. although con
IA tracts will be awarded confidential!
no Orders for slNty-four boats alread
have been placed with the New Yor
q and New Orleans navy yards at $50.
80 900 for boats without engines. Th
,e Department has about completed aT
rangements with an engine bulldin
company which will insure tn
promIt delivery OF 200 or NOR
| motors.
Efforts 20 speed mp aeroplane con
structiOn will be made by both tn
| army and navy. Builders are hav
Ing dimculty In making doliverie
on the hundreds of machines alread
| ordered Some orders are now man
months overdue, despite the fact the
the builders designs have been ac
cepted. without question.
Tho Navy Department Ia concer
trating its energy on production {
swift scouting scaplanes. About eigt
builders are at work on craft I,
this purpose and as soon as n SUE
cessful type Of machine is produces
IA HFalN A. 81