The Washington times., 1917-02-25
MAY FORCE WILSON
F'OSHOW HAND SOON
Internal Complications Add
Heavily to His Burden Of In
ternationaI Problems.
SENATORS THREATENING
Ready At Drop Of Hat to Start
Move to Make President
Come Into Open.


Internal complications adding heav-
lily to his burden OF international
problems, President Wilson today is
facing a combination of issues, in
cidents, and circumstances indicating
that he must Immediately make a de-
finite declaration of policies.
RecaIcitrant Senators are ready at
the drop of a hat to set on foot a
move to force the President into the
open.
Austria is beating loudly at the
door, urging that Count Tarnowski,
newly designated ambassador to
Washington, be recognized.
American Citizen Killed.
Submarines of the central allies, in
sudden squirt in the ruthless U-boat
campaign. have killed an American
citizen and jeopardized the lives OF
several others.
Charges of spy plots become more
numerous.
for protection on the seas, demanding
that Uncle Sam furnish guns and
kunners for vessels of American
registry.
Secretary of State Lansing has de-
HYered to the President his opinions
on pending issues, and has gone to
White Sulphur Springs, Va, for q
short rest.
Await Presidents Action.
- All matters of first magnitude have
already been passed on by his de-
partment and by other departments
involved and are now awaiting action
from the President himself.
% The Austro-Hungarian decision has
long since been reached by the State
Department, which favors breaking
of relations as the only dignif1ed course
for the United States to pursue in the
.. face of the Austro-Hungarian gov
ernment's attitude as reported here
by Ambassador Penfield at Vienna.
The DELAY of this Government
, prompted Austria Hungary to adopt
q somewhat more aggressive stand to-
. ward this Government.
Calls At State Department.
Baron Zwiedinek, the Austro- Hun
garian charge, called at the State De-
,psrtment yesterday TO inquire on be-
half of his government whether the
President was going TO receive Count
Tarnowski.
Vienna is prepared to learn that
the United States will not receive him
and is ready to adjust itself to all
the consequence of a break with the
United States.
But the Vienna foreign office takes
the view that the United States cam
not have its cake and eat it too"
Either the President must receive
Count Tarnowski or he must let Aus
tria-Hungary know of his refusal to
do SO in order that Suitable cOnclu-
sions" may be drawn.
The e-Austro-Hungarian government
n not willing to let matters drift
along in this wavering stage even IL
the United States Government so de-
sires' it.
Gave Clear Indication.
il is understood that Baron Zwiedi-
neck gave the State Department a
clear Indication of Vienna's present
displeasure but that he got no en-
couragement
He is said to have been told that no
arrangement could be made for
Count Tarnowskrs reception and he
was informed that official advices
from Ambassador Penfield showed no
promise of improving the situation.
With respect to the arming of
American merchantmen this matter
has now been further complicated by
a second request from p. A. S. Frank
lin. president OF the international
Mercantile Marine. asking not only
for guns for the protection of his ves-
sells but also for navy gunners-
Decision Long Reached.
Both Secretary Lansing and Coun-
seIor Polk are said to have long since
reached a decision as TO the practical
bflity OF a Government plan TO pro-
vide arms for these vessels.
The President adopted Secretary
Lansing's view over the protest of a
minority Of the Cabinet and made it
known that he was ready to act But
now, although this matter was ap-
parently settled, the President is de-
ferring announcement as to his pro-
posed course.
The sinking OF three more vessels with
Americans on board, by German sub
marines has, meanwhile, been reported
officially to the State Department by
American consuls. No American lives
we're lost. and in each case the German
U-boat commander warned the ships
and then sank them with bombs. The
vessels sunk. on which there were Amer
leans, were the Norwegian steamer
Skrim. the Norwegian bark Blenheim.
and the Norwegian bark Alice