Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-05
ais entire attention today to the Ger

his entire attention today to the Ger
man situation.
In line with the policy of abandoning
public functions whenever and wher-
ever possible President Wilson cam
celled the army and navy reception set
for tomorrow night att the White
House.
The question Of abandoning public
inaugural ceremonies Is under consid-
GRAFTON.
Navy Instructed to Fight.
American naval commanders in ships
all over the world Sunday received
specific instructions from the navy de-
partment as to the courses they are to
pursue in emergencies or difficult situa-
tions.
Wireless and cable instructions were
sent out by Rear Admiral Benson, chief
of the bureau of operations. It Is
known all ships are expected to keep
their fires banked and be prepared to
leave their moorings at a moments
notice.
The commanders were warned to pre-
serve the neutrality of the United States
for the present but to be prepared to
act along definite line in case Of
emergency.
Work All Day On Naval Plans.
All day long the. navy department was
bristling with activity. During the day
Rear Admiral Benson consulted with
Secretary Daniels and both received
minute reports as to the activity of the
American naval forces during the last
twenty four hours. These reports indi-
Gated that commanders Of vessels and
commandants of yards had carried out
instructions and that all of the navy
property had been protected.
The reports also showed that the
small ships have been shifted to points
where they can assist in patrolling the
coast and protecting vessels close to the
coast. The details of these movements
cannot be printed.
Complete Plans For Ships.
The craftsmen Of the bureau Of con-
struction and repair were at their desks
completing plans for the ships author
lied by the last session of congress.
Representatives of some of the ship
building companies repeated assurances
OF yesterday LudL tuclI yuAuo oAC a.
the governments disposal.
Instructions have been sent to Off
GERS in command of the various reserve
fleets to report Immediately upon the
condition Of their ships and to make
recommendations covering the time
material, and labor required to bring
them to the highest state OF efficiency.
Commander Marble, in charge of the
motor boat coast patrol, Is preparing
to have the tiny boats supplied with
guns, so that they may be mobilizcd
on the coast If they are required.
Open Recruiting Campaign.
Preparations were also made for an
extensive campaign to be started to-
morrow morning. All recruiting officers
have been ordered to speed up as much
as possible and to enlist every avail
able man as soon as possible.
The various training stations were
also ordered to speed up their work OF
traini gn Recruits who have nearly
completed their work are to be as
signed to ships at once.
Orders were also sent to the naval
academy that all active officers on
duty there must prepare at once for
service. t
Tkere was some discussion relative
to having number of the senior class
leaders at Annapolis graduated at
once. These men are now competent
to serve as officers.
Commanding officers Of United States
ports were ordered to make a COM
plete inspection Of their mining outfits,
Including mines mine layers, and cleo
trical devices and to report to WASH
ington on what changes, if any, are
necessary in order to bring their or
ganiza tions up to the highest point Of
efficiency.
War Measures Taken.
President Wilson today issued a
proclamation under authority Of the re-
cent shipping act, prohibiting Amer
lean ship owners transferring their
vessels to any other registry. The pres
ident, on his proclamation, pointed out
that a national emergency exists, and
that many ship owners are permitting
their vessels to pass by alien registry
to foreign trade in which we do not
participate and from which they can
not be brought back without permis-
sion Of foreign nations.
Carrying provision to empower the
president to take oevr railroads In time
of war the administration railroad bill
was introduced In the house today.
Brazil Protest Ready.
Rio Janeiro, Feb. 5,-The note Of pro-