The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-02-08
&C RMAN CRISIS
IS UNCHANGED
HOUSE FAVoRs 100000 BILL
FOR NAVY.
RUSH U. S. DEFENSE PLANS
Tension Among Washington Officials
Relieved Over Finding that the
Eavestone Was a British
War Vessel.

Washington, Feb. THE house,
under stress of national emergency,
almost unanimously approved Chair
man Padgett's naval committee report,
which appropriates $352,000,000 for
naval preparedness. The house acted
In committee Of the whole. This as
sures passage Of the items.
Included in the appropriations are
81, 25O,0O0 for machine guns, $1,000,000
for anti-aircraft guns and ammunition
at arsenals, $5,5S1,174 for batteries
for merchant auyiliaries, with S7,2S1,-
OIL for ammunition for the latter.
Another amendment to place the
entire amount Of the bill, subject to
immediate useIin the presidents dis
erection, was also offered. Ordinarily
the bill would take effect July /.
Cabinet Discusses Crisis.
At the close Of twO-hour cabinet
meeting it was indicated that nothing
had happened to change the position
of the American government In the
submarine crisis. The state depart
ment, 1t was said, has received no
official word that Germany might al
ter her policy.
Reports made to the cabinet told of
rapid progress in carrying out precau-
tionary measures directed by the vari-
Gus departments.
The statements of Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmerman at Berlin served also
TO reflect the idea that Germany so
far does not want actual war with the
United States.
Nothing has occurred to make the
situation more serious or less seri-
ous,'t said one cabinet member. II
should say the situation Is unchanged.
The cabinet carefully reviewed pre-
paredness work of the last few days
and gave the view that the govern
ment is now on the road to being in
good shape for future possibilities"
Postmaster General BurlesOn said
before the meeting that he was not
insisting on the fulfillment of con-
tracts with owners of vessels leaving
the United States and passing through
the German submarine zone, for car
rying American mails.
81 am leaving that to Them" he
said.
President Wilson had no engage
ments during the morning, but re-
manned in his study working on ques-
lions connected with the international
situation.
Wilson Urges Amendment.
Chairman Padgett told the house
that the aircraft amendment was
urged by President Wilson and the
secretaries of war and navy.
The Wright company and the Cur
tlss company, he said, practically are
the only ones making airplanes In the
United States and the purpose of the
amendment is to have the government
buy out the basic patents.
The house also added to the naval
bill an appropriation of $3,SO0,000 for
lis anti-aircraft guns and ammunI-
ton for defense of naval stations, on
request of the navy department..
Shortly after Padgett's action Chair
man Webb Of the house judiciary COM
mittee reported favorubly three war
bills. They would prohibit fraudulent
use or counterfeiting of government
seals: punish attempted injury of
vessels engaged in foreign commerce
or of their cargoes or crews, and
would prevent the disclosure of ma
tional defense secrets.
Would Seize Patents.
The aircraft amendment would en-
able the secretary of war and the Sec
rotary of the navy "to obtain by pur-
chase, condemnation, donation or 9TH
erwise. such basic patent or patents
as they may consider necessary to the
manufacture and development of air
craft"
Republican senators in conference
decided to stand back of Senator
Poindexter's bill for immediate con-
struction of 20 fleet and so coast SUBJ
marines at a cost of S4,0O0.0O