The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-03
Solution of Submarine Question
VIII Be With Country Best
Interests Considered
CONFERENCE is HELD
WITH MANY SENATOR'S
To Man They viii Stand by
Policy of Diplomatic Break
With Germany If That Move
Seems Requisite
BY r.. II. StRT!VELI..


correspondent.
Washington. Feb. 2.-tfter
feeling the Duise of the Senate,
President Wilson tonight resumed
his deliberations a. to the course
10 he followed by the United
states In the race of Gerfnauy's
renewed declaration OF relentless
submarine warfare. The Presi-
dent was assured. during two
hour visit tn the Capitol, that he
viii have full legislative support
IN the Cri~iS and nc returned t..
the white House scckin. that
cour~c that viii care for the
best interests OF tho American
people,
"WUtr ~ REST FOR AMERICA ~
Conferences with sixteen DEM
ocratic senators were directed to-
ward determining ''what is hest
for America" Senators stated
after tho conference. Three pos
siblc courses were considered.
They were.
An immediate break In diplO-
matte relations between the
United States and Germany.
Delay until a break Is forced by
actual overt violations of the SUBJ
marine pledges made 10 this
country last spring.
The dispatch of n note 10 Ger
man. declaring the intention Of
the United St"tcs to break of re-
iat'oflS Immediately uDo. an overt
violation Of those pledges.
SEEKS TO SOFTEN BLOW.
III of these courses. il was
stated. had support among Scn-
n'"r~. But there was still ap-
parent in washington tonight n
continent th"t some means might
he found to avert II complete Scy-
GRANGE of relations between the
two countries. This was reflected
in on announcement from the
German embassy that every
american ship would be accorded
- full protection and an opportuni-
ty tn ayoid Gcrnaany's submarine
barred zone. This was looked
upon as offering a possible diplo-
matte means of escape from a
direct and uDcq',iyotai break be-
tween the two countries,
Late tonieh hi the President was
locked IN ~riitpry tief:ip-ratiet, in
Secretary nf state Lansing after
Il das of grinding effort and any
iety. Ind retired for the night.
Roth the President and the sssre-
tars had declared that no am
nounCcmenf a. to the course to
u, followed by this country would
hc forthcoming tonight.
senators who conferred with
a. "A
ion that immediate action was
not To bc expected 1t was be-
iicVcd that the President. before
making direct move. might call
Congress in joint session and my
tho entire situation before it.
Assured of support.
President Wilson was tonight as
ured OF the support of the Senat
or a complete severance of relation
With Germany, promptly upon RI
lrst actual violation of the pledge
,iven this country against ruthles
nd relentless submarine warfare
During n two-hour visit to the Capite
he President conferred at length Wit
Democratic Senators. Senators afte
he conference declared that Their
,as a practical unanimiiy Of opiii
)n tndt:
The time for note writing ha
asscd
without further diplomatic purles
he first actual violation of Germany
nTUcr pledges as To the sinking q
leEchant ships without warnin
hould he the signal for compiled
nd immediate breaking off of al
iplomatic relations,
President Cheerful.
Apparently satisfied with his con
erencc the President smiling cheer
With the statement that no decisiol
ad been reached He declared tha
e had not asked for a joint session
I Congress to consider the matter
nd asserted that he expected" tina
o decision as to the course TO be pur
ued by the United States would b
nuounced tonight. The Presiden
'as apparently under severe strain
ut he sought to conceal his anxiat,
Y a mask of smiling cheerfulness.
Senators. after the conference. d.
ia red that the President seemed 'sin
lined" .to agree with the sensu
{ Senate opinion that break ~
xeen the two countries must follow
II overt violation of the pledges Eiyeg
us country In the German note clos
,g the Sussex controversy Thesl
hedges were contained TN orders n
trman submarines commanders IN.
idding the sinking ~ n1Archansx
'ithCut NarninE mi y
$500 ltk1 81