Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-24
GOVERNMENT TO
PREPARE ARMY
FOR ANY MOVE
Wilson and Advisers Decide te
Make Military and Indus
trial Resources of the
United States Ready.
OVERSEAS FORCE TALKED
Tentative Form of Message to
Special Session Discussed
by Presidents Advisers.
NAVY AND ARMY ARE BUSY

Washington, March %. - The
American government has decided
that steps to meet the situation with
Germany shall include preparation
for effective and aggressive warfare
in addition to measures for the pro-
lection of shipping.
So far it was learned after today's
cabinet meeting there has been no
decision as to whether the sending of
military force to Europe shall be
postponed, but the army as we'll as
the navy and the industrial resources
of the nation are to be made ready
for any demand that may be made
upon them.
One of the first steps under con-
sideration is the supplying OF the en-
tente allies with money. Preparations
also are being made to speed up the
manufacture of munitions.
Take Up Message.
President Wilson's address to con-
gress was taken up in tentative form
at today's cabinet meeting. While its
exact nature will be determined by
the developments of the next ten days.
it is expected to be specific in charac-
ter and probably will outline just
what steps he believes congress
should take to meet the warlike oper-
atoms of German submarines.
Administration officials realize that
during the period Of waiting a sus-
tanned effort is being made in Ger
many to place the responsibility for
war on the United States. The hint
of an offer of mediation is regarded
as an added evidence of this move
ment, but the president aud all his
advisers are determined that if war
actually comes it shall be clear to
the world that it has not been OF
Americas choosing.
The president, to keep in touch
with army and navy preparations, can
celled practically all engagements to-
day, except one with Governor Nc
Call of Massachusetts, who wanted
to confer on ways in which. the state
might cooperate with the federsla
government.
sinking OF Healdton.
Sinking by German submarine Of
the American steamer Healdton, with
the probable loss of a score or more
of its crew, many of whom were
Americans, while another grave addi-
tim to the long list OF German ag-
gressions against American commerce.
cannot cause any immediate change in
the situation between the United
States and Germany, it was said here
today. A virtual state of war already
exists, government officials believe.
and they are doing everything pos
sible to prepare the nation to meet
that condition.
The destruction of the Healdton.
however, will be included by President
Wilson in his summary of German at
tacks on American commerce when
he goes before congress which meets
in extraordinary session on April 2.
The president received his first Off
cial reports on the incident early to-
day. The news came i'll cabled re-
port last night from American Con-
sui Mahin at Amsterdam after the
president had retired The consul re-
ported that the vessel. which was un-
armed, was torpedoed without warn
ing off the coast Of Holland on We'd
nesday.
The president is devoting his al
most undivided attention to prcpara-
tons for national defense and it is
expected that he will continue TO do
so in the interval between now and
the convening OF congress.