The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-06
Under Shipping Act President
Directs No American Craft
to Go to Foreign Registry
AUTHORIZED TO TAKE
OVER SHIPYARDS
Measures Under Consideration
to Make Country Spy-Proof.
Censorship Tightens Over
Military News

Washington, Feb. 5.-PreSidenf
Wilson today took personal charge
of preparing the United States
and all its resources to meet the
emergency into which II may be
plunged at any moment as q result
of the German crisis. Weighted
down with his responsibilities
the president left the White House
today and made his way to the
grim. gray State, War and Navy
building, where he conferred with
secretary of War Baker and Sec
rotary of the Navy Daniels. Tho
conferences were shrouded in
mystery. but the day brought
forth a wealth Of preparatory
measures, executive and legisla-
tive. The president later con-
ferTed with Secretary OF State
Lansing.
Then, to make clear the intentions
OF the government as to~its prepara-
tory actions in the present condition
OF affairs, Secretary to the President
Tumuty authorized the following
statement.
No Haste or Panic.
We will do nothing that we have
not clear and legal right to do.
When we act we will act upon prin-
ciples of right and not upon princi-
pies of expediency. There is no haste
nor panic anywhere"
The president personally took pre-
liminary steps to insure the navy the
aid of all American shipping in event
OF trouble. He issued proclamation
forbidding the sale or lease to foreign
owners of all vessels under the Ameri-
can flag. He acted under the act cree
ating the shipping board. which au-
thorized him to prevent American
vessels going into foreign ownership.
The procla declared that an
emergency exists by reason OF the "in-
suffictencv OF maritime tonnage to
carry the products of the United
States" The procla nation was eff
fective Immediately.
Secretary of War Baker and Secre-
tary of the Navy Daniels. in addition
to rushing routine preparation details
in their departments, conferred with
congress leaders as to speeding up
needed legislation and as to additional
legislative authorization needed to
meet any emergency. Out OF the con-
ferences came the following:
Representative Padgett chairman
of the house naval affairs committee.
perfected an amendment to TIE naval
bill to be considered in the house to-
morrow. giving the government CONF
plete authority to take over all pri-
ment and personnel complete, in order
TO rush naval construction. Tho
amendment will make available for
the use of the president $50. 200. 600
for naval purposes.
complete list of all craft lying In
American harbors, available for naval
use. and Of the complete capacity Of
all yards was compiled end submitted
/ to naval officials.
-, trat
hour-day on naval work, and authorize
ing the navy department to disregard
legislative limitations on naval con-
struction were proposed M
To Mobilize General stan.
AIRS 1gements were made to tr-
clude in the armv appropriation bill
in the house a provision authc rizir~
the president to mobilize the genera.
staff of the army - Washington.
present. only one-haif - - .enefai
staff can he assigned to dury -. the
Capitol. The amendment would :, y
thorize the mobilization OF the sta
lin time OF war. or the imn.nencr
VIZ"
Secretary Baker asked for an n-
crease in the army general staff. but
the house military committee declined
to authorize it.
Congressional leaders assured the
executive heads of the war-makfnx
departments that funds or Legislative
authorizations will be Forthcoming Just
as rapidly as the president believed
they are needed
Steps to make the country "spy-s
proof were initiated in the senator
when Senator Overman, chairman Of
the senate rules committee, introduced
a drastic espionage measure. framed
by the department of justice. Tho
measure provides $4,000 finc and two
years imprisonment for such offensees
as: s
Make Country "Spy-Pro0f."
Approaching. going upon. or nyinG@
over. any institution or II strument
connected with the national defense.
Taking photographs or making
sketches or blue prints OF anything
connected with the national defenacs
Obtaining or attempting to obtain D
possession of signals or codes used I
in the national defense. I'd
Mailing communications written m
invisible" ink. M
The bill was Immediately refeFro1
to the senate judiciary committoo