Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-02-05
NEWS OF THE DAY.


all neutral nations to join with th'
United States in breaking off diplo
matte relations with Germany il
the interests of peace, it was Learned
here late last night. The represen
tatives of the United States in al
neutral capitals have been instructed
! to report as soon as possible how
the various nations receive the sug.
gestion of the President.
Diplomatic machinery was set in
motion last night at the State De,
partment to secure from the entente
allies safe conduct guarantees for
the return to Germany of Ambassa-
dor, Count j. H. Won Bernstorf, and
| members of his official family. This
governments formal request may go
forward to the entente capitals
probably today. Officials are GER
tain that the safe conduct will be
ISSUED at once.
Dctachments of the New York
Naval Militia, equipped as infantry
men, yesterday patroled and guarded
the five great East River bridges
connecting Manhattan with Long
Island At sunset five naval militia
tugs. one an ocean going vessel,
began stearing up and down the
river in proximity to the structures
warning all river craft not to ap-
proach within so feet Of the bridge
piers. Special vigilance was exer-
cisad at the Manhattan, Brooklyn and
Williamsburg bridges. Destruction
of any one. of these bridges, it was
pc 'nted out, would interfere seri-
ously with the departure of wal
ships from the New York navy yard.
In his stocking feet and with his
clothes stained with blood from sew
eral scalp wounds, Dr.. II. V Treakle,
SO years old, of White Stone, Va, in
a dazed condition found his way to
the southeast Washington pumping
station shortly before daylight yes
terday morning. The Emergency
Hospital ambulance was called. At
the hospital Dr.. Treakle said he had
been attacked by two negroes during
the night. He was robbed of his
watch and chain, about $50 in money
and his shoes aid overcoat. He said
that following the assault he could
not remember what happened or how
long he wandered about the streets
before reaching the pumping station.
Physicians at the hospital stated yes
tcrtlay that his condition was not Sc
rious.
Continuance of diplomatic rela-
tons between the United States and
.Austria-Iungary was declared last
night to hang On very slender
thread. with rapid exchange Of
views taking place in an eleventh
hour hope of saving an apparently
homeless situation. Two reasons, the
condition in which it would leave
prisoners whose interests are now
cared FOR by the American diplomats
and the futiiity of any further purely
formal step, make officials loath to
extend the break with Germany to
Austria. Americas moral protest
against Gcrmany's policy of sea
ruthlcssness is felt to have been ade-
Guatc.y driven home by the most
serious step short Of war that this
county could take. Similar action
against Austria is thought not to be
justified unless Austria prcc pilates
the necessity herself.
1t is SAID in T. dc .Tanciro that
Brazil nay 5r2ai; with Germany fol-
, lowing he action by United States
it is reported that virtually all the
machinery and eng mes Of the q Ger
man steamers ling in PHILIPPINE
ports have tccn damaged by thcil
crews. Seventeen Of these vessels
arc intcrncd at Manila, three al
Ccbu ard three at Zamboanga. The
damage in some cases is sad to have
been done Sc hours before the frs
report of the break in the relation:
between the United States and Ger
many. The Filipino crews of thu
steamers have been discharged, thu
crews Of the steamers at Cebu hav'
been excluded from the engire-rooms
The government has redoubicd it
prccaut ons concerning the ships, bu
there have been no seizures. TIL
American squadron has returned t
rTE ETXY a ~