The Mankato free press., 1917-03-23
ONE OF YANKEE CRAFT WAS
GIVEN no WARNING
Report That President Wilson May Call
Special Session of Congress Prior to
!. April 16; But at That the People and
Officials in Washington Are Very
= Calm; Executive Awaiting the News
From ConsuIs Abroad
ROBERT ]. BENDER.

GU OtdlSo ssiIN HSilhoiy oAS oh 1hS
verge of open hostilities. Three
more American vessels have been
sunk. 1t is believed that when first
an American armed ship meets a
German submarine, that will be the
beginning of actual fighting between
the two nations. With about twen-
ty American sailors missing and
probably victims ofN~the attacks on
the three vessels, and with at least
one of the three vessels attacked
without the slightest warning, Sthere
is an indisputable demonstration
that the kaiser is ready for war
with the United States and is not
seeking to avert it.
May Have Session Sooner.
There is some talk at Washington
that President Wilson will call an
extra session :. of congress prior to
April 16, which is the date for which
the call was issued. Others have
taken the view that the president
will merely let the date OF the call
remain as April 16, and will in the
mean time take such measures as
he can under the law to protect the
american merchant ships. He may
md message to congress stating
at a state of war has existed be-
yeen Germany and the United
Eates since March IS. 1t is even
bought that. the president will call
! certain part of the navy into ac-
ion to hunt down German subma-
ines, without a declaration of war,
on the. theory that this is neces-
tsary measure for the protection OF
1.-THE American merchant ships.
!, Full and Ready Support.
1t is not thought that there is any
doubt that the president will have
the full and ready support of con-
gress, if he asks for authority to
raise a great American army.
The president has been eagerly
looking for every bit of news that
has come in. He seeks further par
ticulars from Consul Frost at
Queenstown and Consul General
Skinner at London.
The officials and the public OF
Washington are very calm. There
is no war scare. They have become
accustomed to receiving exciting
news and the situation is viewed
stoically.
There is no doubt in the minds OF
Washington officials that the re-
ceipt of the news in regard to the
sinking of the three American ships
was the immediate cause OF the
railroad strike settlement. The rail-
roads gave way, expecting war.
First May Be Called.
IUnited Press Dispatch.1
Minneapolis, March 19.-Four days
have now passed since the First
Minnesota infantry was mustered
Tit of the federal service and the
len have gone back to work. Yet
Colonel E. D. Luce today received
orders to get ready for a new in
spection of that regiment. This in
spection is to be by federal officers
although the companies have been
mustered out of the regular army
service. Furthermore, it is remem-
bered that less than three weeks
ago there was an exhaustive inspec-
ton of the regiment in camp at Sar
Antonio. Moreover, there was
plenty of additional opportunity fol
their inspection while in the bar
racks. All of this leads to the be-
lief that the new developments III
the countrys foreign relations anC
the danger of an early outbreak o.
war mean; that the companies are
likely to be called back into the
federal service.
Government Sent Out Appeal.
(United Press Dispatch.l
Washington, March 19.-The navy
department today sent out an appea
to all ship manufacturing companies
to manufacture as many motor boats
as possible, such as are ordinarily
sed in the fighting of submarines. L
known, too, that in all the leoas
furhtes, federal officials are taking
hosts of the owners of such boats, ano
4nese are likely to be commandeeret
hnto the federal service at any mo
Jment. With such boats England ha:
had much success in fighting ant
sinking German submarines. 1t ap
nears that Uncle Sam is about to gel
busy on the same kind of work. An
other indication of the feverfsl
anxiety of the government to get hole
of motor boats, is the fact that the
bids on hand for the construction O
motor boats are to be opened by thu
navy department next Wednesday. A:
a rule, long time elapses betwee1
the time of the advertising for sucf
bids and their opening.
Feared Captain Is Prisoner.
IUnited Press Dispatch.l
Washington, March 19.-It is nov
feared that Captain Borum of thu
American merchant steamer City o.
Memphis is prisoner on the subma-
rine that sank that ship. Consul Frost
representing the American govern.
ment at Queenstown. Ireland, cablet
that the captains boat had beer
found drifting and empty. Inside the
boat was found tin box, containing
the captains papers. 1t looks as i
thei boat had been left very hastily
The boat was found at eleven o'cloci
this morning.
Waiting on the President.
limited Press Dispatch.]
IS Washington, March 19-lmmed
late announcement by Presiden
wilson of what course he expected
to take with reference to the lates
affront from Germany was expected
every hour today. While Washing.
ton was anxiously waiting for some