Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-20
SITUATION IS REGARDED
AS OF GRAVE CONCERN
Cabinet Members Decline to Predict
What Course Of United States
VIII BE.
GERMAN ATTITUDE DISCUSSED
Some Points in Note Lend to Appre.
hension That Critical Point Might
Bc Prccipitated in Relations BE.
tween the Two Countries.

WASHINGTON, February Io-prcsI
uent wilson and his Cabinet discussed
at ienslh to-day dangers to American
,ehseiS ana commerce growing out OF
me reiterated determination OF tho
.'crtt"h government TO wage sub
! marine ana mine warfare on enemy
! vessels, and disclaiming rcsponsihiIitv
, lor what may happen to neutral YES
sris NenturinS into tho new sea war
| zones
canvass OF Cabinet officers later dis
cioseu mat the administration regarded
| the developments of the last few dnys
us Oh grave Importance. Cabinet mem
hefs declined to predict what would
re the course Of the United States
some pointed out that in every serious
situation in international affairs, much
| discretion was vested in the President,
ana that his action necessarily would
| ne guided by the circumstances of
each case, II there were attacks on
| American vessels
Officially the United States govern
ment had not received late tonight
the text of the German reply to the
American note and until 1t Is In hand
! no decision, will he announced as to
the administrations policy.
| In the informal discussion Of the re-
ply as published In the press. Cabinet
members indicated that they were i'm :
pressed by different aspects OF the case.
Some held that while the situation was
| serious, there was an indication In the
German note of Willingness TO dis
cuss the subject further, which might.
perhaps, postpone the active enforce
ment of the proclamation to permit an
| understanding to be reached about the
safety OF neutral vessels.
MAXIMUM OF VIGILANCE
LIKELY TO DE- EXERCISED
The fact that Germany had ordered
! her navy to use discretion and care
when approaching ships dying neutral
I flags was viewed as Indicating that the
maximum of vigilance probably would
he exercised by commanders Of sub
/ marines to distinguish between enemy
and neutral vessels. On the other
! hand, however. the notes declaration
] that Germany disclaimcd all RESPONSE
hiIity for what might happen to neu-
trail ships. either by submarine tor
, pcdoeS or mines, produced apprchcn-
sion tina; critical point might be pre-
! cipitatci in the relations between the
! United states and Germany.
Opinions varied tn what steps
would be taken by the United States
! when the text of the German reply Is
, officially received.
! Some OF the Scandinavian countries
| In their representations to Germany. it
Is understood, have used the phrase
! accountability" In the sense of de-
! tanned. Hollands protest Is believed
| to have conveyed this meaning, as we'll
as Il warning of possible action. The
| fac, that the United States did not
! define its future course Is regarded
! in some official quarters as making un-
] necessary any further explanation or
! the American attitude unless some
| the American attitude unless some
J overt act occurs.
| The position Of tho United States in
! It's communication TO Germany was
! amplificd to some extent to-day By
| the administration OH Cials, who in
| sisted that the use OF the submarines,
| which Germany claimed made II UNI
safe at times to approach merchant
! man for fear of rctaliatory fire, was
not AN excuse, in their opinion. for sum
! mary attack on u ship dying /, neutral
flag.
As for the possible destruction OF
| vessels by mines strcwn indiscrnii-
| natcly. officials were inclined To admit
! the hr!plcssnesS of neutral vessels
| yenturing In the war zone. If mines
are laid. some notification to this cf-
feet for shippers is expected to be re-
! Ce!vcd from Germany.
l Both Secretaries Garrison and
I Daniels denied published reports to-
day of unusual activity by the army
and navy in connection with the pres
III