The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-02
Government Takes Action to
Strengthen Neutrality"
Squadron Guarding Coast
ALL PASSPORTS ARE
DECLARED SUSPENDED
Germany Declares Its Action Is
Merely Awaiting Itself of
Reservation In 1t. Reply to
Oltimatum in May

Washington, Feb. f.-DipIo-
matte machinery tonight was In
motion toward complete break
between the United States and
the German Empire.
With diplomatic Washington
convinced that severance of
diplomatic relations between the
two countries cannot he avoided
Following the German declaration
OF ruthless submarine warfare.
ii was authoritatively reported
tonight that the first step had
been taken.
The attitude of the United
States on the question OF renewed
submarine warfare was outlined
10. Berlin in communication
sent by Secretary OF State Ian
sing. under the direction OF Pres
idcnt Wilson.
STANDS on FORMER NOTE.
While both the White House
and the State Department de-
clarcd cmphaticaI1y tonight that
no announcement as to the course
To he pursued by the United
States would he forthcerainr ,,.,-
til tomorrow, II was learned that
the United States will stand upon
its former submarine declaration.
made last spring. 1t was then
stated that only the abandon
ment of ruthless submarine at
tacks on merchant vessels could
prevent a break in diplomatic re-
lations between the two nations.
Whether the communication to
Berlin was n formal note, Or in
the nature of instructions to Am
hassador Gerard could not he
learned tonigh When President
Wilson retired shortly before
midnight the White House de-
clined to say whether an ..uIti-
matum" had been sent to Ger
many.
At the German embassy Ii was
stated tina, Ambassador Won
BernstorfY did not expect to he
given his passports until there
had been another diplomatic ex-
change between the United States
and Berlin. There was no effort
to disguise the impression ut the
embassy. however, that such an
exchange would not avert q final
break
Diplomatic and legislative
Washington were rife with ru-
nors that either fiat uItimatum
Or a communication ordering an
immediate break between the two
nations had been forwarded 10
Berlin.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE
United States was prepared TO
break of all diplomatic relations
with the German Empire as a
Lxstt re
of relentless submarine war
fare on the shipping of all the
world.
Grave and deliberate CONFER
cnces between President Wilson.
Colonel f.. Nj. House. the Presi-
dents confidential advisers, Sec
rotary of state Lansing and Coun-
scllor Polk. of the State Depart
ment marked day OF grave
gloom in Washington. Following
these conferences, Secretary Lam
sing, worn and worried. almost
unnervcd. declared that no an
nouncemcnt aS To the course TO
be pursued by the United states
would he forthcoming tonight.
He would not discuss the ques-
ton rs to whether threat of Il
diplomatic break had already
been forwarded to Germany.
All Passports Suspended.
Meantime, every channel of gov
'rnment activity was prepared TO
erious business. The State Depart
nent announced that the issue o
Ill passports would be . suspended
20 reason for the suspension was an
ounced, and no indication of how
ohg 1t Will continue was given Tn,
'avy Department and the Treasur,
department. issued orders tightenin,
p to the last notch the neutrality
arrangements along the Atlanti,
cast. Orders We're issued addinl
twenty-five Iestroyers To the inquir,
quadron. The decks were cleared
or whatever diplomatic develop
nent the ominous morrow may brini
orth.
In diplomatic circles 1t was accent
d as inevitable that the United States
hould break with Germany. At tn,
ierman embassy officials admitted
hat they had little hope that tn,
freak could be avoided. They evi
fenced Germany's determination I,
'ursua the course outlined In hel
declaration of relentless submarin,
warfare regardless of diplomatic de
Germany Submits Further Argument
The German position as to tn,
jnited States was made clear in NJ
dditional memorandum made pub
Ic by the State Department today
/ accompanied the German note and
vas a defence Of tho German aban,
onment Of the plsdgss mads ae -
X SIS sa;s 81 a. ~