The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-03-23
Mediation TALK IS
NOTHING BUT A BLIND
WORTH BUT LITTLE is GEN.
ERAL OPINION.
Every Department Goes on
Apace With Preparedness
Plans in Army and Navy.

Washington, March 22.-Word
that European neutral might Of
fer mediation to prevent open war
between the United States and Ger
many has come to the administration
without causing surprise or in any
way affecting the governments
plans for meeting the situation fore
ed by submarine ruthlessness. Such
a proposal is regarded here as moth
ing more than another scheme fos-
tered by Germany with the hope of
confusing the issue and possibly di-
viding sentiment in this country
while the destruction of American
lives and ships on the high seas cen
tinues.
At the state department today of
hcials would neither deny nor con-
firm that the government already had
been approached on this subject al
though it was admitted informally
that some such move was not unex-
pected. 1t was emphatically stated
no suggestion OF mediation or dis,
cussion would be considered unless it
was accompanied by abandonment Of
illegal assaults on American ship,
ping, course to which there is no
reason for believing the imperial
government is giving thought.
Has Been Patient.
The feeling in all quarters here is
that the United States has with in
finite patience and forbearance done
everything possible with honor to
avert the virtual state OF war now
existing through German aggression.
So long as this aggression continues,
officials say, there is nothing to be
done but adopt measures of defense
During the 10 days that must
elapse before congress assemblies in
response to his call, President Wilson
Will give close personal attention TO
the preparations going forward
through the war and navy depart
ments. He saw no callers today, but
was in touch with both of the de.
partments. One of the duties he per,
formed was the signing of a formal
proclamation suspending the eight
hour law as applied to plants engaged
on navy work, step authorized by
congress as Il part of the general
plans for speeding up construction
Council 40 Meet
Secretary Baker, as chairman of
the council of national defense, today
called the council and it's advisory
committee of heads of great indus
trial concerns to meet here Saturday
to discuss how much more work is
neressar! 20 put ne Cuun' y III =
state of adequate preparedness for
defense. The council already has ac-
complished wonderful results toward
the mobilization of all the nations
resources and these will be surveyed
at Saturdays meeting Samuel
Gompers, as chairman of the coun-
ellis committee on labor, issued in
viations to a large number OF work
men, employers and scientists to ac-
cept membership on the committee
and attend its first meeting April ..
Additional efforts to stimulate re-
cruiting for the navy were launched
during the day. The response to the
recruiting service during the last
few months has been the best on re-
cord but Secretary Daniels is de-
termined to fill up promptly to the
full authorized strength of 74,5OO
men,
Word was received that every ship
building plant capable Of building de-
stroyers would be represented at the
department Saturday when a great
number of building orders will be
placed. The department plans to
build to the full'capacity OF the yards
and the number OF destroyers to be
ordered can be determined only
when that capacity is known. A
standard type! the 35 knot vessel.
will be ordered to hasten construc-
tion.