The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-23
Neutral Proposals Would
Not BE Considered Seri-
ously by This Country.
WILSON SUPERVISES
NATIONS PREPARING
Snspends Eight-Hour Day on
Naval WOrk-Defense
Council Is Active.

Washington, March 2o-Word that a
european neutral might offer media
ton to prevent open war between the
United States and Germany has now
come TO administration without caus-
ing surprise or in any way affecting
the government plans for meeting the
situation forced by submarine ruth
lcssness. Such a proposal is regarded
here as nothing more than another
scheme fostered by Germany with the
hope of confusing the issue and pos
sibly dividing sentiment in this coun-
try, while the destruction of American
lives and ships on the high seas con-
tinues.
Won't Consider.
At the state department today of
ficials would neither deny or confirm
that the government already had been
approached on this subject. although it
was admitted informally that some
such move was not unexpected 1t was
very emphatically stated that no sug-
gcstion of mediation or discussion
would be considered unless 1t was ac-
comnanied by abandonment of Illegal
assaults upon American shipping. a
course to which there is no reason
for believing the imperial government
is giving a thought.
The feeling in all quarters here is
that the United States has in patience
and forbearance done everything pos
siblc with honor to avoid the virtual
state Of war now existing through
aggression continues. officials say
there is nothing to be done but adopt
measures OF defense, and no basis
exists for discussion.
President supervises.
During the 10 days that must elapse
before congress assemblies, President
Wilson will give closer personal at
tention to the preparation going for
ward through the war and navy de-
partments. One of the duties he per-
formed today was the signing OF a
formal proclamation suspending the
eight-hour law as applied to plants en-
gagged on naval work a step used by
congress rs n part of the general plans
for speeding up construction.
Secretary Baker. as chairman of the
council Of national defense, today
called the council and its advisory
committees of the heads of great in
dustrial concerns to meet here Satur-
day to discuss how much work Is nee
essary to put the country in a state of
adequate preparedness for defense.
Samuel Gompers. as chairman of the
councils committee on labor. issued in
vitations to a large number of work
men. employers and scientists to ac-
cept membership on the committee and
attend the first meeting April ..
Recruiting Increases.
Additional efforts to simulate re-
cruiting for the navy were launched
today. The response to the recruiting
service during the last few months has
been the best on record but Secretary
Daniels is determined to fill up
promptly to the fun authorized
strength of 74,5O0 men.
Word was received that every ship
building plant capable of building de
stroycrs would be represented at the
department Saturday when great
number OF building orders will he
placed. The department plans to build
to the fullest capacity of the yards and
the number of destroyers to he or
dered can be determined only when
that capacity is known.