Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-14
DETENTION OF AMERICANS
SOURCE OF WORRY TOU. S.

WASHINGTON Feb. 1.-THE rescue of
the Americans detained in Germany despite
earlier promises of their release, and nearly
thousand refugees marooned in Asia
Minor, of whose condition the State Depart
ment is in absolute ignorance. was the alb
sorbng problem of the Administration to-
day. Every possible means of learning their
status Is being employed. for 1t is not denied
that the situation is fraught with most
serious possibilities.
SO far there has been no response to in
quries about the supposed redetenton Of
the between sixty and seventy American
seamen held on the British prize ship
Yarrowdale. 1t is not the disposition of the
Government to press the question with any
undue haste, but it is evident to all that an
unsatisfactory explanation could be followed
by nothing but a peremptory demand for
their release.
One o. the complicating features of this
situation is the silence of the Spanish min
lister at Berlin who has taken over Ameri-
can affairs. lie has not been heard from
since February 10. His communication then
was only formal notification that he had
taken charge.
The fa;- or the refugees In Asia is caus-
ing equal concern. They were to be rescued
by the collier Caesar and the cruiser Des
Moines, but as the Government is completely
out of touch with the Near East their con-
dition can only be conjectured. The State
Department today renewed its efforts to
reach Ambassador Elkus at Constantinople,
but with little hope of early success.
Administration officials today were watch
ing the war zone closely. American ves-
sells are approaching it. Yesterday was
the last day of grace" allowed neutral
shipping, according to the official announce
ments from Berlin. 1t can be asserted upon
the highest authority that President Will
son will go before Congress and outline
his next step the moment that an American
vessel is sunk in defiance of international
law.
The State Department again is pressing
Ambassador Penfeld at Vienna for informa>
ton as to his status There has been no
word from him since the break with Ger
many. No information as yet is available,
but that the situation is considered serious
is indicated by the fact that inquiries to
him have now been addressed through neu.
tral sources
1t developed today that complete investi-
cation of all of the circumstances sur
rounding the purported offer of Germany
to reopen the submarine situation with the
United States in progress. That GER
tain newspaper and diplomatic sources were
used in that connection now is certain. Ber-
lin is understood to have repudiated the
entire matter and to have asserted that
II an offer was made II was without the
sanction of the Imperial Government
1t was In anticipation of such a disavowai
that the State Department called upon the
Swiss Minister to put the suggestion in
writing, Secretary Lansing and his assist
ants having been suspicious of the entire
proposition because 1t was made public In
inspired circles before It was communicated
to the State Department in any way
Unless however II shall develop that the
entire matter was developed by Americans
II is unlikely that any action Will be taken
by this Government at the present time.
When the immediate crisis has passed. how
ever a complete statement may be made.