The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-02-03

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Of feeling In the United States. That,
o. course, has been done through the
German embassy, which continues to
express the firm conviction that there
Is little hope Of avoiding diplomatic
break.
President Wilson's every action
throughout the day was predicted on
his belief that the United States faces
the most serious crisis In Its history.
He chose the course Of seeking the
advice Of other men to compare with
his own opinions. The overwhelming
sentiment from those he consulted
was in favor Of a break In relations,
only the time and method were ques-
tons Of difference. But even after his
long talk with the Senators he return
ed to the White House to give further
consideration to the problem.
United States Action Guide to
Neutrals
One of the thoughts In the mind Of
the President and his advisers 10 that
the action of the United States should
be so unassailable that 1t would guide
other neutrals.
President Wilson was boldly told by
most of the fifteen Democratic Sena-
tors in conference with him that the
German declaration was an affront to
the United States and the civilized
world and that any other course than
an immediate ruture Of diplomatic re-
lations would be viewed by the world
as cowardice." Some, however, urged
that Germany be notified Of definite
time at which diplomatic relations
would be severed and a few others
urged that nothing be done until Ger.
many by some overt act demonstrated
her deliberate determination to affront
the United States.
No More Notes!
Senator Fletcher said the sentimen,
of all present was that no more com.
munications should be sent to Ger.
many whatever course is pursued. He
said many Senators favored breaking
of relations, but he added that II
would not be correct to say that the
majority favored 1t Immediately.
An hour after the Presidents con.
ference with Senators at the Capito
q Senator said the President had lef
them with the suggestion that there
should be a nights reflection and nj
action by word or deed before morn
ing.
1t was learned that Senator Stone
Chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee, and Senator Lewis, Of Ill
nois, felt that no immediate breach
with Germany would be justified; tina
the course to be taken was to stand OF
the assumption that Germany did no
Intend to imperil American citizens O
property but that the very first &C
against the United States should b.
the signal for the rupture.
Country Is United
All administration officials are graf
flied and surprised at what they in
terpret as practically unanimou
opinion of the country on the situa
ton so Unexpectedly precipitated b
Germany's submarine warfare de
claration. Not only nearly all tn
large metropolitan papers reaching
the State Department, but also tn
small country papers are declared t
accept as a basic principle the belle
that American interests and homo
have been attacked. o
One official said today that thi
viewpoint, which had been awaited be
fore any definite announcement, ha
had great effect on the formation Q
a decision. The administration Il
known to feel that while the Germa
announcement justifles any actio
that may be deemed best. The admin
istration is could not Guido publ
opinion.
European sailings Of ships flynn
the American flag be postponed, &C
cording to the opinion to the State lie
partment Secretary Lansing, in an
nouncing that message to this effec
had been sent to the Internationa
Mercantile Marine in regard to tn
sailing of the American steamer 81
Louis for England tomorrow, was EN-
phatic in saying no orders had bee
issued against her sailing but that tn
opinion of the department had bee
given that 1t would be wiser to avail
the decision of the country i'm tn