New-York tribune., 1916-01-04
sing to Warn
Them of Stand on
U-BOat War.
CONGRESS MAY
BE CONSULTED.
Stone to Call on President
TO-day-Uncertainty
Is Prevalent.


Washington, Jan. 3.-Confusion.
cross-purposes and uncertainty as to
the course Of the administration in
the new Teutonic crisis were marked 4
to-day. recalling vividly the situa- \
ton following the Lusitania and
Arabic outrages. The absence Of the
President, the lack Of definite infor-
nation on technical points about the
Persia case, reports Of further sub
marine atrocities in the Mediterra-
mean, with the evident desire Of Off
cials to minimize the seriousness of
the strain. combined to fill the air
with rumors and apprehension.
Two things stand out Of the zi.ua-
ton: The desire Ct the administra-
ton to put the best possible face on
tn, submarine activities, TO retrieve
the standing Of the recent Austrian
note as a diplomatic victory and to
avoid the raising of any new issue;
and the need Felt by the administra-
ton to show that il is rot being de-
ccivcd by meaningless promises, that
It's stand for American rights is
firm" and to push it's diplomatic
policy to some conclusion that will
snow real results.
vii! Send New Notes.
The one definite action that has
been decided on is to send another
rote, a joint communication to Tur-
key and Bulgaria, advising them Of
the attitude Of the United States
toward submarine warfare. Secre-
t;ry Lansing announced this plan
to-day. The object, it Is understood.
: to prevent any further shifting o.
the responsibility for submarine ac.
tivity and insure that in case Turk
ish or Bulgarian submarines repeat
the tactics of the Austrian boats
their governments cannot plead *.
nOrance.
Along with this official statemcn,
came rumors Of far more drastic action
One was that the President would de-
mand of all the Teuton-Turk allies =
complete cessation Of the submarine
war against merchant shipping, declar-
ing events had proved that the SUBJ
marines could not be used in this way
with safe,y for the rights Of neutrals.
Another was that he would issue an
appeal, in the name of humanity, 20
the neutrals of the world, asking thcir
cooperation in stopping the slau ghter
No official sanction could be found for
either report. Either action would be-
unprecedented in diplomacy, and the
President alone knows what his plans
are.
Officials here, however, laid stress IT,
day on the visor Of the policy that Will
be pursued. lt was announced that
President Wilson would cut short his
honeymoon and be a. the white House
tomorrow. Senator Stone, chairman %
the Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee, called on Secretary Lansing and
announced that he would confer with
the President tomorrow. There was
report that the President would lay
the whole situation before the members
of the Foreign Relations committees Of
the two houses, possibly asking the adj
vice Of Congress. This would shift the
responsibility for whatever action may
be taken, and at the same time insure
a delay that would give public opinion
time 70 cool in case nothing more hap
pened.
Law Alone VIII Guide.
Il became evident to-day that, what
ever the morals of the situation may
be, this government will nd strictly
on the technic aspects Of the law in
its relations with Austria. lt was an
nounced that the new developments
would not interfere with the settlement
Of the Ancona case. and that a reply 20
the Austrian note was beiGg prepared
This is in direct contrast with the ac-
zion following the sinking of tae
Arabic. Immediately after assurances in
the Lusitdnia case. Then al previous
negotiations stopped till the sinking Il
the Arabic had been disav wed.
Considerable stress was laid on the
fact, reported by American Consul Car.
rels. az Alexandria, that the Persia car
ried a. gun. This fact was stated
in the dispatch made public last night
but, 70 some reason which officials viii
not give. was withheld from the public
Under the position this government ha.
repeatedly announced a vessel ia per