Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-02-10
No Interference With Conn.,
merCe Is to Be Permitted
to Extent of Seriously De-
pressing Business of Country
CAUSE FOR WAR IS
EXPECTED ANY TIME
Fewer Vessels Are Reported
Sunk by Submarines Than
on Any Previous Day Since
Campaign Commenced.
10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL Ls.ssp WIRE,


Washington, Feb. 9.-The course to
be taken by the United States il Ger
many compdls the use of force to safe
guard American lives and rights, has
been determined. 1t was learned au-
thorltatively after today's cabinet
meeting that in the event President
Wilson goes before congress again it
will not be to ask for a declaration
of war, but to follow literally the
words of the address in which he an
nounced the break of diplomatic rela-
tons and request authority to use
means deemed necessary to protect
american seamen and people.
The president, it. wTs stated, Is a&
anxious as ever to AVOID war with
Germany, but also is as determined aa
ever'that American citizens and s'ipa
shall be free to travel the high sens
unmolested. His next step, II taken,
will be to enforce that right, nnd even
then the issue Of war or peace will be
with Germany. Any hostile action
win have to come in the form of an
interference with an American right.
3, May Arm and Convoy Ships.
| Details of the governments plans
ere not discussed. 1t is known. how
ever that conveying and arming Of
merchant ships are being considered.
No new development came today to
indicate that the overt act by Ger
many, regarded as inevitable, was
nearer at hand, Fewer reports OF
ships sunk came in, and none told Of
ficially of the loss of an American life.
Further information received about
George Washington. the negro fire
man lost on the Turino. Indicated that
he probably was a British subject.
The cabinet met today with all
members present except Secretary
McAdoo. Just before the meeting the
majority of the members had attend
ed session of the Council for Ma
tional Defense. called at the war de-
partment to discuss mobilization or
the nations resources as a result or
many offers from manufacturing and
other companies to place themselves
at the disposal of the government In
the event of trouble.
Reports Are Inspiring.
Practically every member took to
the cabinet meeting information about
the activities of his department in
connection with the general precau-
tions being taken. Questions dis
cussed included proposed emergency
legislation, steps for protecting prop
erty, mail problems precipitated by
the failure of ships to sail from
American ports for Europe, economic
issues, and army and navy prepara-
tions.
After the meeting it was authori-
tatively stated that nothing had yet
happened. to change the course pur-
sued by the government since the
break in relations with Germany. The
cumulative effect of reports of vessels
sunk by German submarines collected
by the state department., however, has
been to make officials certain that
Germany is indeed proceeding with
her proclaimed policy of ruthlessness.
Ships Must Sail Soon.
The effect of the tying up of ships
in American harbors because of fear
that they will be sunk II they pass
through the war zone, is one of the
questions being given careful consid-
Grafton. As far as 1t can be learned
today, there have been no reports to
the government of serious conse-
auences to industries, but such reports
are expected and the enforced idle
ness of the merchant fleet is sub
ject of growing exasneration.
Some resentment was expressed in
administration quarters today over
what was construed as an implication
contained in Germany's request of
Ambassador Gerard that old treaties
between Prussia and the United
States be reaffirmed, that such ac-
ton was necessary to make certain
that the rights of Germans In this
country guaranteed under those treat
Ha ' "rre. 1t was reiterated
that the American government fully
mtends acting according to the spirit
of the treaties. While the treaty ac-
tually was abrogated by passage Of
the seamen's law with conflicting
section, the government here looks
upon the pact as at least furnishing
the guiding principle under which it
will act.
Policy of Ncutrals Gratifying.
The administration is understood to
bo highly gratified by the action
taken by many of the neutrals in pro-
testing with varying degrees of firm
ness against Germany's new subma-
rine policy. While none has SO far
followed the lead and suggestion of
the United States by breaking off dip
lomatic relations, nevertheless the ex-
preston of sentiment was said to be
the chief object desired by President
Wilson in suggesting action to them.
There was no sensation to disturb