The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-05-25
American Destroyers Already Are
Taking Part in the War on
German Submarines.
GUNBOATS FROM JAPAN HELP
Chancellor Holiweg Refuses to Dis
cuss Teuton Peace Terms-Cabi-
net of Distracted Russia Re-
constructed-British and
French Still Hammer
ing at Hindenburg
Line.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.


The American navy is represented
in the war zone, and an American war
ship has had fight with Il German
submarine.
SO much was revealed on Wednes-
day by the British admiralty, which
announced the presence in British wa
tiers of squadron of American de-
stroyers. 1t mentioned the brush"
with the submarine, but did not tell
the result Both the British and the
American naval authorities maintain
policy of silence concerning the cap
ture or destruction of U-boats.
The destroyers, which are under the
general command of Rear Admiral w.
S. Sims, arrived ut Queenstown and
We're inspected by British officer,
who asked the American commander
when he could be ready for business.
I'VE can start at once" replied the
American, and they did.
There Is reason to believe some of
these destroyers took part in the re-
cent big raid on the German subma-
rine base ut Zeebrugge.
The American vessels and their
crews were given an enthusiastic well
come ut Queenstown, and Vice Admiral
Beatty and Admiral Mayo exchanged
congratulatory cablegrams.
Japan also began taking an active
part in the warfare In Europe last
week. A number of japanese gun
boats arrived at Marseille to aid in
the fight on submarines and to convoy
French merchantmen, and it was UNI
officially stated that a contingent of
Japanese troops was landed ut the
same port and would fight on the west
front alongside the Russian division
that has been there for some time.
Building Up Our Armies.
With no illusions as to the serious
ness of the task confronting it, the
administration is proceeding steadily
In it's preparation for the part the
United States is to play in the war.
President Wilson has ordered the reg
ular army brought up to full war
strength, and all the machinery for
raising the great selective draft army
is ready. All over the country the
training camps for officers were
opened at the beginning of the week,
and thousands of efficient young
Americans are being drilled In the du-
ties of commanding officers. The sale
of Liberty" bonds In denominations
as low as $50 Is in full swing. To pro-
vide for the country's own expenses as
belligerent, the appropriations COM
mittee submitted to the senate the
greatest war budget in the history of
the nation, the total being nearly 3d.
400 100000. All the week the house
debated the war revenue bill.
Obeying the behests of the house
and disregarding the wishes of Presl-
dent Wilson and the advice of the war
department, the house and senate con-
ferees wrote into the army conscrip-
ton bill the Harding amendment au-
thorizing the acceptance of the volun-
teer divisions which Colonel Roosevelt
proposes to raise. Both senate and
house accepted the report. This put
souarely UP to Mr.. Wilson the decision
whether or not Colonel Roosevelt is to
be sent to Europe In command of
American soldiers.
Aggravated by criticisms Of con-
gress for its alleged dilatoriness in the
matter of war legislation, many sena-
tors on Wednesday bitterly attacked
the war policies of the government.
Their especial targets were Secretary
of War Baker, the advisory commits