Iditarod pioneer., 1917-03-24
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
 OF C0NGRESS IS CALLED

WASHINGTON March 2l.PreSldent Wilson, recognizing '"' the policy make the United States on the seas today called congress assemble extraordinary session on April deal with the situation The purpose of the on as announced the Presidents proclamation Is to receive com grave questions of national policy inc res dent his address congress will detail ho" the "ea nave the United States by thelr ruthless o American lives and ships high contravenlon Of all laws of nations humanity Congress then expected to pass resolution declaring that state of war has existed between ue United States and Germany for some tlnle
 On Monday last was unoficially admitted that virtual existed between the United States and Germany ana President said be considering several new courses open him sinking of American vessels Sunday by the Ger mans was responsible for his proclamation convenng congress m extraordinary session. Secretary Lansing today told newspaper reporters that situation serious for dscusson
 THREE AMERICAN SHIPS SUNK
 LONDON March 19Ihe sinking of the American steamships City of Memphis Illinois and Wgancis announced as having taken place yesterday Fourteen from the Nancla are missing and some the City of Memphis also The crew oi the Illinois landed The Memphis was Tn ballast from Caro for New York She s.nk by gun fire.
 PROPOSED MEDIATION A GERMAN INTRIGUE WASHINGTON March 22An offer of mediation prevent between the United States and Germany e ected by the which learned today that European neutral contemplating such move It was frankly branded backed by Germany to divide sentiment in congress in order to enoarrass the President
 EXPECT GERMANY TO DECLARE WAR
 WASHINGTON, March 22The ports of the United States probably will opened wahps of the entente navies Dis patches from abroad declaring the German pected declare of to exist within the next S hours have placed an aspect the uation it taken to Germany will declare the United States fre dent favor actual declaration of by he United States but merely recognition Of the fact that state or exists.
 PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
 WASHINGTON, March 2o.-secretary Daniels has ordered the New York navy yard complete submarine chasers within sixty days exceed eighty days With the Pre approval the has also ordered the graduation Of 1he classes the Annapolis naval academy The first will go March 29 relieve l72 junior officers and to fill existing The second class will be called out on September l5 furnishing POP officers than full year before they would be available otherwise.
 TO COOPERATE IN CLEARING SEAS
 WASHINGTON, March 2O.The United States, Great Britain will join guarding the transatlantic lanes aganst if present plans materiaize The admin expected begin work today formal negotiations with those nations
 TO ExTEhD INSURANCE FEATURE
 WASHINGTON, March 21-The government risk insur- ce bureau which has insured only contraband announced today that would boaden the of its ons Hereafter will practically all forms of contraband fol European countries except arms and munitions
 AMERICAN SHIP ToRPEDoED
 AMSTERDAM March 23-The American steamship Healdton has been topedoed and sunk Three boats launched One containing eight of whom badly wounded, was brought to Terscheng torpedo boat One died the Nothing known of the other boats It believed four teen killed by the explosion Of thirteen Americans the Healdton but six have been accounted for.
 American Consul Reports
 WASHINGTON, March 23American Consul Mahin, at Am sterdam cables the department that the Healdton sunk by submarine of Terschng Holland She torpedoed without warning and twenty of the drowned
 Was Standard Oil Vessel
 PHILADELPHIA March 23-The Healdon owned by the Standard Company She sailed from Chester January 26 with cargo refined petroleum for Rotterdam She command of Captain Christopher and carried of thirty eight