Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-07
GOVERNMENT GETS
ON WAR FOOTING
CONTINUED from page H.

for Austria-Hungary. Luxembourg, Bull
garia and Turkey, as such matter can
not reach those countries except by
passing through Germany Mail re,
ceived from the last mentioned coun
tries will be forwarded to destina
ton.
The postmaster general also sus-
pendeld the exchange of postal money
orders between the United States and
German empire. International money
order offices have been instructed ac-
cordingly No further money orders
will be allowed by them and they will
decline to pay orders drawn upon
them by German offices on and after
yesterday.
Close Boston and N. Y. Ports.
Boston, April For the first time
in 10 years the port OF Boston was
closed to all navigation during the
night upon orders of the navy and
army officials of this district, who
have mined and nette1 the entrance
to the channel.
Chief of staff Captain A. II. Mobert-
son, issued warning to all vessels
to keep away from the mine fields
and to report to the patrol boats at
, the entrance OF the harbor.
New York, April 7-Beginning today
the port of New York will be closed
promptly every night at six O'Clock
on orders from Washington.
Democracies May Join.
Buenos, Aires, April THE govern
mcnt of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay
are considering the severance of dip
lomatic relations with Germany, The
cutting of diplomatic relations, it is
believed would be followed immedi
ately by declarations of war against
Germany.
The hostile feeling against Germany
over the violation of the national
rights of South American countries
has been intensified in Brazil by news
of the destruction of the Brazilian
steamship Parana with the loss of 3
Brazilian lives.
The Mexican minister to Chile Is en-
route here from Santiago for a con-
ference
Newport. r. l.. April IA German
sea raider was sighted off Nantucket
this morning. The presence of the
raider was officially reported by Off
GERS attached to the United States
Naval Station here. All shipping has
been warned to remain in harbor.
The Nantucket shoals lightship was
the first point on the coast to learn OF
the raider. A raGiogram was at once
sent to Newport by the Nantucket
wireless station and Immediately al
terward a warning was sent out which
sent ships scurrying into port al
alcng the Massachusetts and Rhod'
Island coasts.
The spot where the raider was seer
was more than lc) miles from New
port and on the scene of the destruC
ton of a number of merchant ship
by the German U-53 last October
, The raider was sighted at ~
o'clock and word of her presence wa
at once flashed by wireless. She wa
stcaming west. Nantucket is on tn
Massachusetts coast. 1t is near tn
chief steamer lane used by vessels ply
ing between the United States ant
Europe.
Investigate Raider Report.
Washington. April 7-Reports o
suspicious vessels which may be Ger
man raiders or milc layers are reach
ing this city from number OF places
These reports are circumstantial ant
all are being carefully investigated
The strongest report deals with thu
presence of vessel which "looket
like Q converted cruiser off the New
England coast. This vessel first wa
reported from Nantucket, and thu
Navy department Immediately direct
: cd that she be investigated Certain
units of the navy are searching 70
the ship and in the meanwhile shil
ping generally will be held With
: places Of safety.
Officials very frankly say that tn
reports may be based on the presenc
OF vessels of an entirely innoceD
character but the policy from now Q
Is to be safe Instead OF sorrowiul
and nothing will be left to chanc
y The fact that it Is known that &c
many will try to strew the coasts
= the United States with mines ski
: fully dropped in the steamship lane
and in the channels leading into II
!. various harbors has caused the dec
+ sion to take every precauti0n
n Reports of German submarine baS'
, continue also to reach here and The
o also are being investigated. For Sc