The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-03-20
PRESIDENT PLANS TAKING AG-
GRESSIyE STEPS ON ACCOUNT
or SINKING OF SHIPS
PLANS PERFECTED FOR PROTECT
ING SEA LANES TO EUROPE
Calling of Congress Together For Is
suance of Formal Declaration Not
Expected Until Armed Merchant
Ships Are On the Sea.

WASHINGTON, March 2O-A formal
declaration of war on the part of the
United States will depend upon tie
fate of the armed merchant ships of
this country in the opinion Of those
best informed here. 1t appears today
that President Wilson will not call
congress together for the purpose of
declaring war formally on account OF
the sinking of the freighters Saturday,
but is considering aggressive steps.
However, the cabinet is in session this
afternoon and new developments may
follow. Several members of the cabi-
net expressed the opinion before going
to the meeting that a state of war ac-
tually existed.
In view of the confirmation received
through consular reports of statement
that the Vigilancia was torpedoed with
out warning, leaving survivors adrift
fourteen hours, conditions are rapidly
assuming definite shape. 1t is expect
ed that President Wilson will publicly
4 outline the status of relations exist
= ing between this country and Ger
; many within the next twenty-four
u hours, as the next step toward pre-
u pairing the people for possible or
|
: it is taken for granted that a state
9 of war exists, few believe that the
d president will state this in terms, at
= this time, as it might be construed as
9 a declaration of war on his part; an
exercise of power reserved to con-
=" gress.
y 1t is known that the government
plans joint action of the United States
y with Great Britain and France in pa
=. trolling ships in lanes between this
- country and Europe The plan calls
. for the use by the United States of
y the proposed big fleet of chasors
which. it is said, are being assembled.
The patrol boats will protect shipping
along our coast while England and
France will take care of the barred
zone near their own coasts The
lT navy and army departments are rush
n ing preparations.
That war will come speedily is gen
70 orally believed. The fact that the
~ Socialist party has called a national
'o convention to meet at st. Louis tx
determine the attitude of the organic
alton in case of war is taken to NEAR
a that even the extreme pacifists be
ay lieve a conflict practically inevitable
On President Wilson today replied t
Z. the recent Carranza peace note re
to jecting the proposal that an embargo
4 be placed on arms by this country an'
IT, asking cooperation among neutral
as against the German submarine policy
Ia Reports from the Trench front in
as dictate that the Germans are still
IN slowing retiring. This with the an
at nouncement from London that Arttu
srs Bonar Law, the Conservative leader
nd would take up the question of settl
ise ing the Irish question in the imperis
he conference over which he is presidin
IN and that he hopes to bring about
snt satisfactory adjustment of the issue
ort which will result in Strengthening tn
nd empire and the allies, coupled wit
-he the consequences which are expecte
The to flow from the Russian revolutio
em make many think that the Germa
ion star is on the decline. The Unite
re States, it was announced today,
prepared to recognize the revolution
ary government in Russia. Advice
from Russia say that it was Gran
Duke Nicholas who induced the czs
rr to abdicate in the interest of the Ii;
ton, and that the war will at once
Il rushed under the direction of t.
grand duke.