Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-03

Washington, Feb. 2.-The submarine menace sweeps on and every hour draws the United States nearer a break with Germany.
 No restraining developments appear to stem the tide. Official Washington is convinced the crash is only a matter of time and question of forms.
 Challenge Must Be Met.
 X long session of the cabinet and q dramatic night meeting of the presi- veloped unanimity of opinion that the challenge to the honor of the United States must be met.
 The means of doing so appears to be the only question undetermined.
 When President Wilson and his ad- visors parted for a nights refiectio1i,' the president himself put it, appar- ently it had not been determined whether the United States should de- lay action until Germany commits an overt act, or whether passports should be handed to Count von Bernstorf with or without a warning note to Berlin.
 After the president and the cabinet had been in session more than s.so hours, MT. Wilson hurried to the cap ttoi and this statement was issued at the White House:
 Something Very, Very Serious.
 The president and the cabinet thor. oughly canvassed the situation but ti1crc is nothing to annoar1ce'r
 Members of the cabinet sworn to silence. left the White House with grave faces. One of them later siff- 1icfently broke the rule of silence to say:
 "The near future will develop some thing very, very serious''
 Another gave a hint of the probabil- ity that some overt act might be awaited, or at least a warning given, by saving:
 The last chance has not yet gone. While Germany has announced her purpose, she has not yet carried it fffto effect so far as we know
 The cabinet unanimously agreed. however, that the United States should under no circumstances countenance such an invasion of it's rights as Ger many's campaign of ruthlessness pro poses.
 President Conferred Witt, Senator
 Stone.
 At the capitol the president had an hours conference alone with Senator Stone, chairman of the foreign rela- tions committee. and then sent out word that he sought the views of all senators. Many of the democrats hur- ried to his room on the senate floor. Seated there with senators grouped about him in a semi circle, the presi- dent gave no indication of a decision Of his own, but frankly announced he had come to hear. their opinions. To induce open expressions, he was care full not to specify what he had in his own mind, but invited a discussion of three propositions:
 Three Propositions.
 To break off diplomatic relations with Germany at once and deliver Am bassador won Bernstorf's passports to- morrow.
 To delay action until some overt act has been committed against the rights of the United States.
 To redefine the position of the, United states, as outlined all ethrougll tn submarine controversy, with a. final warning that an offense means a dip loTuatic break.
 The sentiment of a large majority of the senators was against the last course.
 Favored Breaking of Relations.
 Senator Stone and Senator Lewis favored assuming that Germany did not intend to invade American rights, but were for meeting any such inva- sion with an immediate severance of relations Other senators were so con- fdent that Germanys new war zone proclamation meant invasion of Amer jean rights that they favored breaking off relations Immediately. All understood that President Will son had not made up his mind whether to proceed, as proposed by Senators Stone and Lewis, on the assumption that American rights would not be vio- lated, or whether to consider Ger InanyS announcement as ground in itself for summary action.
 Nights Reflection.
 Without disclosing what decision, if any, he had reached, the president left the capitol, suggesting to senators that there should be a nights reflection and some action by word or deed before Monday.
 Joint Session Not Discussed.
 It was said that no joint session Of congress tomorrow to enable the presi- dent to make an address was dis cussed.
 No Communication Sent.
 During the day it had been made clear that no communication had been forwarded to Germany nor had Am hassador Gerard been given instruc tions to inform the government of the state of feeling in the United States. This, of course. has been done through the German embassy. which continues to express the firm conviction that there is little hope of avoiding a diplomatic break
 Most Serious Crisis in U. s. History. President Wilson's every action throughout the day was predicated on i bis belief that the United States faces