The Dermott news., 1917-03-22
J.. S. PREPARES FOR
WAR WITH GERMANY
PRESIDENT AUTHORIZED ExPEN-
DiTURE OF $t15,o0o.ooo TO
SPEED UP OBSTRUCTION
ORDER SUBMARINE CHASERS
British and French Naval Patrols viii
Assist in Protecting American
Ships Passing Through Ger
man Submarine Zone.

Washington -Preparation for aS-
gressve action by the navy against
the German submarine menace began
at the direction of President Wilson.
The president authorized the eXpen-
dture of the sll5,000,0 600 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 &c submarine
chasers OF the l10-foot type. TO be
completed in from so To so 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 %, releasing IT, junior
officers to fill existing vacancies. and
the second in September. furnishing
202 more full year before they other
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 pr'
vate builders and with the funds now
made available.
va 70 no -
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
\ 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 4
telegraphic order will make them gov
eminent property overnight.
Volunteer crews for the boa->
have been enrolled among yatchmer
and others along the coasts Com
manders of naval districts are ready
10 call them out and begin patrol
work with virtually no delay
Navy officials estimate that within
four months fleet OF 1000 patrols
and chasers Will be ready for action
II is planned to assemble the yolun-
teers within a few days 10 begin
nf ~
ing. pending orders from the presi.
dent for complete mobilization.
In this connection officials say il is
planned TO establish a submarine
proof patrol of the American coast
insuring safe passage 10 and from
American ports for all ships. Since the
visit OF the German submarine U-32
TO Newport last summer made II clear
that the underwater craft could ope
rate across the Atlantic, IL is believed
necessary to provide for protection of
American harbors in the event OF
war.
Informal negotiations will be start
Ell for a working agreement with the
British and French patrol squadrons
now endeavoring 10 protect ships
passing through the German subma-
rine zone. 1t is planned TO make
American waters safe against subma-
rines for all ships. with the under
standing that American ships Will re-
ceiye full protection In the zones from
patrols of the allies. The plan would
necessitate the interchange OF nfor-
nation as to the routing OF merchant
craft to and from across the Atlantic.