Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-19
) SHIPS TORPEOOED
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
LOOK UPON LATEST PRUSSlAN
OUTRAGE AS CLEAR CUT CASE
WILSON MOVES WITH CAu-
TiON.
By JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.
international News Service Staff
Correspondent


Correspondent
Washington, Mar. 19-The time for
talking has passed That was the po-
sition taken by the national capitol
today following the latest German
submarine outrage in sinking the
City of Memphis, Illinois and Vigil
iancia. There was little disposition
anywhere to lessen the gravity of the
situation from the secretary's atti-
tude that the gravity of the situation
could not be underestimated But he
had no comment to make either on
entering or leaving the White House.
Any statement to come will come
from the President himself, it was
stated. In this very connection Coun-
sellor Polk, of the State Department,
in refusing to legally define whether
as a result of the latest outrages a
state of war existed, summed up TIA
official position by declaring that the
situation was too serious for comment.
The President is being urged to
cal Congress together next week ir
stead of on April 16, as already d.
rected lie also has been urged to
announce that state of war" between
Germany and the United States eS-
iFts. He may do both. but officials
said that he was carefully Weighing
all of the facts before acting and
would take no hasty judgment.
One very significant development
was the making public by the State
Department of all messages dealing
with the submarine outrages immc-
diately on receipt. Heretofore many
of this character have been held up.
To suggestions that the City OF
Memphis and the Illinois were warned
the State Department officials said
that the warning was not Of the legal
character which the United States de-
mands 1t has insisted that all Amer
ican vessels must be stopped visited
and searched.
Lansing confers with Wilson.
Washington Mar l9.-Secretary
Lansing went into conference with
President Wilson at 1l:l0 a. m He
said there was nothing to say at this
time
Counsellor Polk, Of the State De-
partment, was asked whether the De-
partment had construed the sinking
of the American vessels as AN act CT
war"
The situation is too serious to dis.
cuss, he said
II was stated that the Department
would make all facts bearing on tho
situation public as soon as possible
Hold National Guard.
Washington, Mar. l9.-Secretary of
War Baker today admitted that orders
had been sent out by him last night
to all commanding officers of depart
ments to stop mastering out national
guards units but stated that these
orders were cancelled today ami that
the mastering out will proceed.
The Secretary refused explanation
of the reasons for the original orders
or tor the cancellation
Washington, March 80 Germany's
war challenge today was before presi-
dent Wilson Sinking Of the Ameri-
can ships City Of Memphis, the Illinois
and the Vigilancia viii compel speedy
action In official circles everywhere
it was accepted as an overt act OF
war.
Up to the present the administra-
tion incorporation is withheld But
the officials who know the presl-
dents mind best insisted that when
an official announcement Is made it
will be couched in language which
will leave no doubt rs to its meaning.
Locked in his study early today
with the preliminary reports to the
State Department telling Of the latest
outrages against the honor of the
United States before him President
Wilson was considering the following
To amend his call for special ses'
sion of congress so that It can as.
semble as fast as the members can be
brought to Washington Officially to
announce that In view of the ruthless
cf the interests of the Unit