New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-22
Stone, Kern and Flood
Hold Long Council
with President.
APPAM DECISION
ADDS TO TANGLE
Lansing Said To Be Ready
TO Turn Liner Over to
British Owners.
From Tho Tribune Burs.u. }


ernment officials declared to-day
that relations with Germany had
reached the most serious crisis IN
several months. Nothing short OF
withdrawal of the recent threat 20
sink all armed vessels, they said,
could make a settlement of the Lusi-
tania issue possible.
The "crisis" warnings have not
produced the looked for effect, how
ever. Few outside the Administra-
tion inner circles are disturbed by
them. These persons prefer TO be-
licve that President Wilson is again
attempting to scare Germany into
compliance with his demands.
a conference tonight at the
White House, described by the par
t:cipants as strictly confidential"
is believed likely TO have profound
effect in determining the attitude of
Administration Democrats in Con-
gress toward the issues with Ger
many. The President was closeted
with Senator Kern, Democratic floor
leader; Senator Stone, chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee,
and Representative Flood, chairman
of the Foreign Affairs Committee
for more than an hour.
pledged to secrecy" they an
nounced in chorus on emerging.
Stone to Define Situation.
Unusual interest attached to the
conference because of the admitted
gravity of the situation between the
United States and Germany and
Austria Hungary, resulting from the
recent notice of the Teutonic allies
that after March ! all armed enemy
merchantmen would be attacked
without warning. Senator Stone re-
cuested the meeting. While he was
a the White House Secretary Lam
sings secretary delivered TO him
letter understood to contain lnforma-
ticn to be embodied in a speech on
foreign relations" Senator Stone
plans to deliver in the Senate later
this week.
After leaving the President. Sens-
tor Stone was guest az reception
given by ce-Prcsidcnt Marshall and
there had a long talk with Secretary
Lansing.
Administration leaders resent what
they believe to be erroneous impress
sicns regarding recent negotiations
over submarine warfare which have
gained circulation recently, and it Is
understood Senator Stone will be in
trusted with the task of making the
Administration po ,ition clear. There
is particular objection TO reports that
the United States changed its position
toward the arming of merchantmen
Tor defensive purposes when the Lusl-
tania case apparently wa. virtually
settled.
One member Of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee stated tonight
that many Senators favored the pas
sage OF a resolution warning Ameri-
cans to keep of armed ships, but Sena-
tor Stone denied fatty that such step
had been mentioned at the conference.
gress.
4 new complication is also seen in
the decision reported 10 have been
reached to-day by Secretary Lansing
regarding the Appam. II is understood
that the State Department has deter
mined that the Appam must either put
20 sea within a reasonable time or be
turned over 20 her British owners.
In taking this course the Secretary
will be forced 10 conclude that the
treaty Of 1898 between the United
States and Prussia, which privileges
German prizes TO enter and leave Amer
can ports at will, is not applicable 90
the Appam. Il is understood this deci-
sion will be based on the argument
that the treaty, so interrupted, would
abridge the rights of Great Britain
under international law.
Violent Berlin Protest Expected.
The announcement OF this decision
il expected TO call forth a violent pro-
test from Germany which will certain
lv have its effect on the Iusitania nego-
tiations. The treaty OF 1928 has al
ready been insisted on by this govern
ment as applying TO the case OF the
william =. Frye. despite Germany cf-
forts TO substitute for il the generally
recognized principles OF international
law.
Germany. therefore. is expected 70
be even further convinced that this
government Is acting in bad faith and
conducting policy Of benevolent neu-
trality toward her enemies. That con-
yiction has already made Confidential