The Washington herald., 1917-02-06

Senate on record as completely in accord
with President Wilson's stand on the in
terna tional situation. Senator Stone
chairman of the Foreign Relations Com.
mittee, introduced a resolution reciting
the steps taken so far, and the possibiH-
ties outlined in President Wilson's speech
announcing the break with Germany.
| The resolution would voice the approval
OF the Senate. 1t will be taken up today,
and both Republican and Democrats
leaders predict its immediate passage.
With every American vessel on the high
seas potential cause of hostilities the
State and Navy departments yesterday
centered much of their attention on the
prolem Of protecting American ships. A
study Of international law developed that
any enort to convoy American ships by
naval vessels would be equivalent to an
'act of war" against Germany. 1t was
, stated that for the present no move
would be made in that direction. The
naval strength of the United States
would not be sufficient to convoy all
shipping, It was pointed out by the
Navy Department. as an additional rea-
son for not establishing conveys.
Break with Austria.
The Austrian situation caused much
speculation yesterday. 1t was admitted
that the latest Austrian communication
makes 1t practically impossible to avoid
a break between the two nations. No
arrangements were made to receive Count
Tarnowsk, the new Austrian Ambassa-
dor, who has not yet presented his Gre
dentials> Baron Zwiedenik, the Austrian
Charge. conferred with Secretary of State
Lansing. but the subject of the talk was
kept secret. 1t was learned at the Aus
trtan Embassy, however. that no hope is
entertained that the break can be avoid
ed. 1t was made clear that Austria will
support Germany to the fullest extent of
her power. despite the position taken by
the United States.
1t was learned last night, however, that
the fate of American relief enterprises in
Austria were the cause of delay in the
publication of the Austrian note. Am
bassador Penf1eld has been acting for
many of the entente belligerents In VI
emma, and has devoted much of his time
to caring for the great numbers OF Rus
sian and Italian prisoners taken by the
Teutonic allies and concentrated in Aus
trfan detention camps. Until arrange
ments are made for turning over this
work to some other diplomat. no steps
toward an actual break with Austria are
expected.
Continued reports from abroad that
Spain has decided to break with Ger
many, following the lead of the United
States, were discussed with interest in
Washington last night. but there was no
confirmation forthcoming. Senor Riauo,
the Spanish Ambassador. declared that
he had no information from his govern
ment which would indicate any change
in its relations with Germany. He de-
clned to discuss the probable attitude of
the Spanish government as to the Presi-
dents suggestion that all neutrals fol-
low the example Of the United States.
Senate VIII Give support.
Senate leaders declared last night that
President Wilson will have the full sup
port of the branch of the national legis-
lature which shares with him RESPONSE
bility for foreign matters, in any move he
may make. 1t was stated that the reso-
luton of Senator Stone would be put
through as an indication of the Senate's
sentiment. The resolution which will
be called up today reads:
Whereas the President has for the
reasons stated in his address delivered
to the Congress in joint session On Febru
airy 3, 1917, severed diplomatic relations
with the imperial German government
by the recall of the American Ambassa-
dor at Berlin. and by handing his pass
ports to the German Ambassador at
Washington, and
Whereas. notwithstanding this sever
ance of diplomatic relations, the Presi-
dent has expressed his desire to avoid
conflict with the imperial German gov
ernment and,
Whereas, the President declared in !
this said address, that If in his judgment
an occasion should arise for further ac-
ton In the premises on the part of the I!
government Of the United States he |
would submit the matter to the Congress
and ask, the authority of the Congress |
to use such measures as he might deem
necessary for the protection of American |
seamen and people in the pursuit of their |
peaceful and legitimate errands on the i
high seas;
Therefore, be 1t resolved by the Sem
ate, That the Senate approves the action
taken by the President as set forth IN !
his address delivered before the joint !
session of the Congress as stated above"