New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02


for ruthless warfare He expresses
the sudden victory of extreme German
opinion over the modernists who nave
been urging civilized warfare.
The American government now races
the undoubted fact that the extremists
in Germany are in control. From that
fact there is nothing too horrible 70
expect
Savage as the war has been in the
past. il will be more savage from now
until the end, which all here pray ma!
come quickly. While, as was sald Al
the beginning, there is no disposition
anywhere TO hurry, criticise or emoar-
rass the President while he is making
The decision which he must make, stlIl
L is true also to say that the urgency
of the present crisis is appreciated
everywhere.
United States Must Act Quickly
II is realized that the government OF
the United States must act quickly 10
act effectively. Even before diplomatic
relations are broken, preparations
must be made. if necessary, as Mr..
Roosevelt advises. to seize and hold
the interned German ships in our har-
bors.
The fleet already partly modified
must be ordered to better tactical po-
sition. The mosquito fleet must be in
creased more than hundredfold if the
submarine peril is TO be met. Ameri-
can ships as we'll as the merchantmen
of the Allies must be armed, fore, ait
and abeam.
Even Mr.. Wilson's sharpest critics
and bitterest enemies here are hopeful
that now realities have been uncov-
cred" and now that there are no sort
concealments" of Germany's intentions
he will act in q manner to make Ameri-
cans proud and fearless.
Officials Move Secretly
Official activities in Washington TO,
day and this evening were all behlni
the veil. The ban Of secrecy in all de-
partments has been ordered. II was
said at the White House that the
Presidents secretary, Mr.. Tumulty,
had been given specific instructions 10
say nothing to anybody. From the at
titude of other officials there was no
mistaking the orders.
Mr.. Wilson began consideration OF
the German note within few hours OF
the time of its receipt. The main 1eaI-
ures, it was said to-day, all were pretty
well known TO him. He was interested
however. in the matter of details.
Late last night the Secretary OF state
made a secret visit TO the White House
and spent an hour and half in con
sultation about the present crisis. u
was given out, by the way, that the
President had communed alone in his
silent study. lie was not alone.
RESPONDING TO hurry call, the
ubjouitous Colonel House arrived on
the scene early this morning and IN
dulged the President with several con-
ferences. chiefly in the morning hours
This afternoon Frank l.. Polk, counsei
lor of the State Department, visited
Colonel House in Mr.. Wilson's quar-
tiers.
Cabinet Meets To-day
Mr.. Lansing again was with Mr.. VIII
son for long interview To-Day w
other members Of the Cabinet. how
ever. were consulted. There is to be
regular meeting Of the Cabinet to-mor-
row. Colonel House will not be pres
ent. as he already has returned TO New
York.
There was talk all day at the Capitol
about the probability of visit from
the President and an address TO the
House and Senate on the subject OF the
replv TO the German note. 1t is assumed
that the President will personally IN
form Congress Of his action as soon as
there has been time for the communi,
cation to reach Berlin. He pursued
such a course, it will be remembered
at the time of the Sussex crisis.
But nobody at the Capitol had any
definite knowledge of the Presidents
intentions. William J. Stone, chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee. is away. He telegraphed the
President this afternoon that he would
be here at / o'clock tomorrow
A very important announcement from
the White House is expected to-mor-
row. In the meantime there IS ire
mendous anxiety lest the news or some
horrible disaster at sea, the, result OF a
German torpedo, startlc the country
into roar for war-lest situation be
created such as that which Mckinley
faced when the battleship Name was
blown up in Havana Rarbor IN 1879