Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-21
WILSON EXPECTED
TO CALL CONGRESS
IN EARLY SESSION
Belief Prevails That He Will
Announce Final De-
cision To-Day.
WlTHHOLDS HIS VIEWS
EVEN FROM ADVISERS
Officials Unanimously Agree
That State Of War With Ger
many Already Exists.
STEPS FOR PREPAREDNESS
Administration Plans for Defense
Are Being Pressed Forward US
Rapidly as Possible.
STEPS FOR PREPAREDNESS
administration Plans for Defense
Are Being Pressed Forward us
Rapidly AS Possible.
Iny Associated Press.I

by Associated Press.l
WASHINGTON. March 2O.--For two
hours to-day President Wilson dis
cusscd the international crisis with his
Cabinet aud heard urgent suggestions
that the date for the extra session of
Congress tiXo1 for April I6 be set for
ward To consider further steps in de-
fcnse Of American commerce agains.
German submarines.
The President himself did not cx-
press his views. and so far as could bo
learned later. had not finally deter
mined upon tho course to be pursued.
The prevailing belief was that he
would announce the call for AN earlier
meeting of Congress tomorrow.
Among officials virtually the unani-
nous opinion is that in spite of tile
technical armed neutrality status OF
the United States, actually state OF
war exists as the result of the ruth
less destruction OF American merchant
ships and the killing CT American citi-
2ens in defiance OF international law
and Of the most solemn warnings one
nation can give another. The only
question is what Shall be done about
It, further than the arming OF mer-
chantmen to- resist submarine attack
il they get the chance.
READY no SUppORT
WAnLII<E PROGRAM
The Cabinet members generally are
said to have expressed to-day their
Willingness to support Il program based
on an early call for Congress and a
formal declaration that state OF war
exists between Germany and the
United States.
Tonight the President went to the
thcater-l thing he frequently does
when he has made preliminary de-
cision on a grave question and wants
distraction in order To look at the
problem anew with freshened mind.
After the Cabinet meeting Secretary
Daniels. saying that no new naval or
dcrs had been issued. hurried to the
Navy Department, and went into con-
ference with members of the General
Board. Information for the President
and tentative plans for further naval
activities were discussed.
The only argument known TO have
been advanced in official circles
against the early calling of Congress
was that the President himself can
do almost everything possible inmedi-
ately. But in spite OF this argument
the preponderancc OF official opinion
seemed to be that Congress should be
summoned just as soon as possible, so
that the full power of the government
would be assembled in Washington.
PATROL S0UADRONS
WILL. BE ORGANIZED
Plans for organizing patrol squad
rons OF privately owned otor-boats
and yachts along the Atlantic coast
were discussed Tonight ut Il confer
encc between Secretary Daniels and
Captain George r. Marvcll. an assistant
for operations. who has just returned
from IA trip to New York. Boston and
other coast points. to enroll valuable
craft. Captain Marvell reported nc
had arranged contracts with many
owners Of small. speedy boats suitable
for mounting guns and chasing sub
marines or patrollins the coast. to turn
their vessels over TO the government
in an emergency. a number OF boat
owners also agreed 10 volunteer as re-
serve officers. =
Both Secretary Daniels aud Sccrc-
tary Baker spent several hours at
their offices tonight going over de-
partment business.
SOLEMNLY REVIEW
COURSE or GERMANY
WASHINGTON. March 20.-Gravcly
and socmn!y, President Wilson and
his Cabinet spent more than two
hours reviewing the incidents Of the
German submarine campaign which
have brought the United States to the
edge of the great war in Europe. To-
night an added weight Of concern and
apprehension lay over Washington. as
the members OF the Presidents Cabinet,
shaking their heads graveiy. said that
no change in the ATTITUDE or the United
States towards Germany had yet been
ordered.
Under a pledge of secrecy. the mem-
bers of the Presidents official Cabinet
declined 10 discuss the result of ths
days discussion. There was no effort
however. TO disguise the gravity OF the
situation, and several members of the
Cabinet have made IL plain that they
believe thatthe events OF the past few
weeks have precipitated state OF
war between the two nations.
From the White House came
the statement that ,bc Cabinet had
thoroughly discussed the entire tntap