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Newspaper
Washington Post
Location
Washington, Washington Dc, United States of America
Date
Feb 20, 1917
Page
1
Reports say President Wilson may seek congressional authority to protect Americans and ships from submarine attacks. Officials expect a joint address before March 4 if needed, while awaiting further developments in Germany's policy and possible emergency legislation.
Julius Rosenwald called on twenty top industrial leaders to join a "millionaire cabinet" to mobilize food resources in case of war. The national defense council assigned him the task to provide food and uniforms for an army of 1,000,000 and a naval force of 100,000 if emergencies arise.
New Haven reports Prof. William Howard Taft as the first citizen enrolled in the city military census ordered by Gov. Holcomb. He certified his ability to swim drive and ride a horse though joking it would be hard on the horse. Taft said he lectures at Yale and could practice law for income.
London reports the sinking of the British steamers Tolo and Okement. New York advices note two Kerr Steamship Company vessels, the Dalmata and Mar Adriatico, sunk in submarine zones. Overseas News Agency lists Gravina, Maria, and Hugo Hamilton as sunk by a German submarine, with eighteen prisoners taken.
Miss Marie Haviland of New York music student, after a taxing ten day trip from Warsaw to Berlin, faced border delays and disinfection requirements before reaching Berne in transit to Switzerland. Authorities seized excess funds beyond 1000 marks, while diplomatic courtesy aided smoother passage via Lindau, and a late visa process complicated her return. Cardinal Gibbon released a new book A Retrospect of Fifty Years by John Murphy Company.
Debates over the Cummins spy bill push its likely passage in the Senate as 27 of 35 members back the measure. Senator Overman highlights 100,000 spies and warns DoJ cannot cope under current laws, while Cummins, Walsh, and Fall spar over strict wartime powers and potential censorship of press and discussion. Continued on fourth page.
Washington reports claim American sailors of the Yarrowdale held in Germany would be released soon amid a U S ultimatum. Other accounts say the men have been freed. the State Department awaits formal action from Berlin while authorities weigh the reliability of Berlin promises. Police also report arrests in New York of two men charged with gathering military information for Germany. The suspects Albert A. Sander and Charles W Wannenberg face charges of conspiring to obtain maps and other data in England and Ireland to aid Germany with information transmitted to the United States. Women were said to have been used to carry documents, with ink that remains invisible until chemical treatment.
Special to The Washington Post Newport R I February 19 One or more Prussian U boats may be in American waters and ready to attack merchant ships or trigger war if the United States and Germany clash A warship from the Newport torpedo station was sent to sea after a submarine was sighted near Brenton's Reef lightship Commander Robison Lieut Stark and crew cheered at the mission and were confined aboard the ship for hours officials say the encounter may have been a drill or an escape observation with no confirmation of contact
President Wilson sent a letter to Senator Stone urging action on the treaty to indemnify Colombia for the separation of Panama. He warned that in any U S hostilities a misunderstanding with a hemisphere partner would be undesirable. The foreign relations committee was convened to review his letter. The administration fears Colombian resentment if delayed could threaten the Panama Canal.
President Wilson named two to the Federal Trade Commission filling vacancies from Hurley and Rublee. Nominees are J. Franklin Fort, former New Jersey governor, and William B. Colver of Minnesota. Fort will serve Rublee’s unexpired term. Colver’s term runs to 1920 and he is a Minnesota newspaper publisher. Also named were D. C. Westenhaver for district judge in Ohio and several navy officers promoted to rear admirals and captains.
President Wilson requires an exact appraisal of the regular fighting forces. Army and navy bureau chiefs must report on personnel and materiel to form a precise view of national defenses. Both services struggle to reach authorized strength as enlistments rise. Veterans and retired officers are being sought as navy shipwork accelerates. Navy rooms in the State War and Navy building were provided by the army.
A serious food riot broke out in Williamsburg with enraged men attacking provision stores and pushcart peddlers. Women atop tenements hurled flaming missiles at carts as a thousand residents joined the uprising. Police rushed to the Bedford Avenue district and clubs drove rioters back. extra patrols guard the area and stores stayed barricaded.
London reports the new war loan exceeds 3.5 billion dollars excluding banks. Chancellor Andrew Bonar Law told the House of Commons that on the last day applications were so heavy that 200 000 to 300 000 were not processed and final totals will be known next week. He noted the funded amount surpassed his expected 3.0 billion but warned against exaggerated estimates. The excess over 3.0 billion may total about 500 million.
Page 1 reports Wilton delaying action while the vote favors a spy bill and two individuals are held as conspirators. Additional items include Gen. Frederick Fanston dead, two names for a trade board, Willison seeking military data, Borah discussing a food plot, Washington horse show opening, and House night sessions scheduled.
In New York Henry C. Frick reportedly paid 266000 dollars for a full length Van Dyck portrait of the Countess of Clanbrazil Ann Cary. The piece, once in the Earl of Denbigh’s collection, is among the season’s top art purchases and joined five other Van Dycks brought to America last December for display.
The Department of Commerce reports January exports at 613,441,900 beating the prior best by about 1020,000,000. Early year and seven month totals show sharp increases due to high prices. Year ending January exports reach 5,764,828,000 against 3,616,827,000 the previous year.
Count von Bernstorff and other German officials aboard the Frederik VIII may depart Halifax within a week as British inspection of the liner nears completion. Passengers have expressed satisfaction with the handling of the inquiry and officials report no suspicion of contraband.
New York February 19 John D Rockefeller Jr was granted a permit to carry a revolver today He said he often arrives late at his Pocantico Hills country estate and must travel lonely roads in general terms to justify the carry
The House approved a measure to temporarily continue the current government in the Danish West Indies and appropriate 25,000,600 dollars to pay Denmark. The bill allows duty free goods with up to 20 percent foreign material and imposes an eight dollar per ton export tax on sugar. A related Senate bill to authorize a presidential temporary government and investigate local needs has been favorably reported, with passage expected soon.
Maj. Gen Frederick Funston head of the Southern Department dies at 61 from acute indigestion and heart artery disease after dining with friends and playing with a child. He had led US forces on the Mexican border and captured Aguinaldo in the Philippines.
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