The Monticellonian., 1917-03-22
j. S. PREPARES FOR
WAR WITH GERMANY
PRESIDENT AUTHORIZED ExPEN-
pITuRE OF s115,ooo,ooo TO
SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION.
ORDER SUBMARINE CHASERS
British and French Naval Patrols Will
Assist in Protecting American
Ships Passing Through Ger
man Submarine Zone.

Washington.-Prep for az
gressive action by the navy against
the German submarine menace began
at the direction of President Wilson.
The president authorized the expen-
diture of the S115,000,0 600 emergency
fund provided by Congress to speed
up naval construction and pay for
special additional war craft, and the
suspension of the eight-hour labor law
in plants engaged on navy work.
Immediately afterward Secretary
Daniels ordered the New York navy
yard to begin building SO submarine
chasers of the 110.foot type. to be
completed in from SO to so days.
With the presidents approval the
secretary also ordered the graduation
of the first and second classes at the
naval academy. The first class will
go out March 20, releasing 172 junior
officers to fill existing vacancies, and
the second in September, furnishing
202 more full year before they other
wise would be available.
NHlIe lIle tIleIS Ito Vi lut navy viii
be concentrated for the present on eff
forts to get into commission craft de
signed particularly to destroy subma-
rines and guard the coast. warship
building generally will be speeded up
under the recent agreement with pri-
vate builders and with the funds now
made available.
The announcements from the de
partment followed an hours confer
ence between Secretary Daniels and
the president. who walked over from
the White House to the State, War
and Navy Building for the purpose.
A large number of privately owned
motor craft available for navy use
may be drawn upon at any time. Re
tired navy officers have been at work
along the Atlantic Coast surveying
boats for a month. Contracts have
been made for their purchase and
telegraphic order will make them gov
eminent property overnight.
Volunteer crews for the boats
have been enrolled among yatchmen
and others along the coasts. Com
manders of naval districts are ready
to call them out and begin patrol
work with virtually no delay.
Navy officials estimate that within
four months fleet of 1000 patrols
and chasers will be ready for action.
It is planned to assemble the volun-
teers within a few days to begin
actual operations as matter of train
ing, pending orders from the presi-
dent for complete mobilization.
In this connection officials say it is
planned to establish a submarine
proof patrol of the American coast,
insuring safe passage to and from
American ports for all ships. Since the
visit of the German submarine U-33
to Newport last summer made it clear
that the underwater craft could epe-
rate across the Atlantic. it is believed
necessary to provide for protection of
American harbors in the event of
war
Informal negotiations will be start
ed for working agreement with the
British and French patrol squadrons
now endeavoring to protect ships
passing through the German subma-
rine zone. It is planned to make
American waters safe against subma-
rines for all ships, with the under.
standing that American ships will re
ceive full protection in the zones from
uecessitate the interchange of infor-
nation as to the routing of merchant
craft TO and from across the Atlantic.