New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-16
BY STEVENSON II. EVANS

by EtENSUN III. EVANS
Washington, Feb. 15.-The Ge~
mans would have it appear that they
do not care whether the United
States joins their enemies. OF this
the Washington government is about
convinced. And, taking account of
the several recent affronts, President
Wilson and his advisers are Begin
ming to be of ths,opinion that the au.
thorities at Berlin are seeking I'd
make the United States seem an az.
gressor in the declaration of war
1t will surprise no one here if by
Saturday the President goes before
Congress with statement of the
wrongs already endured. At the
same time he probably will ask aus.
thority to protect American lives and
property.
Middle West Getting Uneasy
Developments Of the day, the siY-
teenth since the German declaration
of unrestricted frightfulness, were
few, but there was considerable indL
cation Of stiffening process going
on in this government. The first
murmuringsi against the actual
blockade of American ships are be-
ginning to be heard from the pacifist
Middle West, which in the preelec.
tion campaign was so influenced by
the slogan "He Kept Us Out Of
War"
The effects of the blockade are being
felt now at the great depots Of the
Mississippi Valley. The railroads win
not move freight east unless steamship
space is guaranteed. The people of the
interior, it is being made plain by some
of the Presidents callers, do not relish
the incontrovertible fact that American
ships are afraid to venture forth.
The decision on the arming of AmerA
can ships may now be delayed until the
whole problem of hostility is settled.
The very fact that this decision is
being withheld is good evidence that
the President is about to take an inn
portant step. He and his advisers re-
slze the effects Of extending the durs-
tion of the blockade of American ports.
Another evidence of the stiffening
process was the preparation to act vig-
orously in the Yarrowdale case. The
news from Berlin did not arrive till
long after the days work was COM
pleted, and during the afternoon the
State Department had prepared another
demand for the release OF
the men, which, it was expected, would
be forwarded tomorrow through the
Spanish Ambassador at Berlin.
The series of affronts and studied ms
suits from Germany since the break ia
diplomatic relations has given the off,
cials Of the State Department much
food for reflection.
American Consuls Held
There is nothing subtle about the
kind Of statecraft practised at Berlin
When the Kaiser's government seeks 10
give ground for quarrel its methods
are typically churlish. Witness the fois
lowing:
/. American consuls are still forcibl,
detained in Germany, although all Gers
man consuls in the United States wers
permitted to 90 with Ambassador Couns
Won Bernstorf.
.. American ships are tied to theis
docks in nearly every American port
fearing 20 venture forth because the
American government seeks not to Of.
fend the terror of the seas.
8. The interviews which German
statesmen are giving to signify their
utter indifference as to whether or not
the United States declares war
4. Finally, as this government be-
lieves, German submarines are lying in
wait and will attempt TO sink the frss
American liner that ventures into the
forbidden zones.
Meets Cabinet Tomorrow
The President paid another visit to
the State, War and Navy departments
during the day. but it was explained
that this did not foreshadow any imme-
diate important Developments. seere-
tary Lansing called at the White Houss
for a brief conference, and sfterward
he and the President walked together
through a snowstorm TO the Navy De-
partment- - 80.
A Cabinet meeting will be held to-
morrow, and at that time the eh,; S,;
situation will be canvassed' IN sop
tion TO the official reports reaeh'HE hs -
State Department, msp,Ders % ws
Cabinet will present shateSef NV