The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-04-12

event, as soon as they can be made
seaworthy the fine merchant fleet
| thus acquired will give America 6
merchant marine that could not be
duplicated in several years and ado
more than 100000 to the tonnage
available for the transportation OF
Supplies and munitions to the allies.
Word that King George and Pres.
ident Poincare had dispatched mes
sages of congratulation to President
Wilson was received unofficially.
Only unofficial information, also,
came concerning the action of Presi-
dent Menocal, of Cuba. in recon-
: mending a declaration of war against
Germany by Cuba, and the growing
sentiment for war in Brazil.
Foreign relationships of the Unit
ed States today underwent the great
est chance in the country's history.
sweeping away practically all the in
ternational questions of the past
two years and substituting entirely
new problems. As a result. the
State Department is being entirely
reorganized and the great mass of
routine which has overwhelmed even
the highest officials, is to be distri-
buted along new lines.
The first act by the department
when war became fact was to pre-
pare copies of the war resolution
and proclamation for all the foreign
missions here for immediate trans
mission to their governments. Ca
bles were sent to American missions
abroad and full mail dispatches pre-
pared to 60 forward at once. So
much of this work had been fore
seen that it merely awaited release
on word that the President had sign
ed the proclamation.
Instructions prepared several days
ago were sent to the Treasury De-
partment to cease transmitting de-
tails of the armament and armed
guards on merchantmen entering
American harbors, on the ground
that henceforth no restrictions will
be placed on such vessels. An
nouncement will be made shortly
that all the allied war vessels have
been given free admission to Amer
lean harbors. 1t is probable, how
ever, that with the seizure of Ger
man shipping here and the enlist
ment of the American navy in the
patrol forces, the entente will with
draw virtually all war craft from
this side of the Atlantic.
Negotiations are now practically
completed for the admittance Of
American armed ships into neutral
European harbors. All European
neutrals are expected to receive
them. except possibly Holland.
When President Wilson signed his
proclamation declaring that a state
of war exists, the United States,
for the second time since 1914, en-
tered war with an European power.
While the United States is the
first republic of the western hemis-
phere to join the ranks of the bel
ligerents in the world war, there
are indications that her step soon
may be followed by others. Presi-
dent Menocal of Cuba has urged the
Cuban Congress to declare a state
of war exists between the newest
republic of the new world and Ger
many. Anti.German feeling is re-
ported high in Brazil after the sink
ing of asBrazilian merchant vessel.
and the largest republic of South
America also may join in defending
herself against German methods of
naval warfare.
Washington, April 6:-Methods of
financing the war with Germany and
of extending huge loans to the Allies
constituted one of the chief subjects
considered at today's Cabinet meet