New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-07
Wilson Awaits Clear
Cut "Overt Act": d.
rectS Defence
CANNOT AVOID
CLASH, IS FEAR
Navy Experts Say U-Boat
Campaign Is Certain to
Kill Americans
By STEVENSON II. EVANS

DN Sl EN ENSo.N u. EN hsNO
Washington, Feb. 6.--Washington
still clings desperately to the hope
that Germany does not mean it.
That is, according to the outward ap-
pearance. Inwardly, there is not a
single official but fears that the overt
act which will mean war viii soon
take place.
Although six nearly eventless
days have passed since the German
declaration of frightfulness upon the
seas, although Germany acceded to
the American demand for the quick
release of the Yarrowdale prisoners,
although Berlin talks of peace and
the anodync dispatches from the
German capital are read with in
terest. apprehension is not allayed.
Germany must be judged by her
deeds.
Wilson Will Go Slow
Washington and the President
have settled down TO play a waiting
game. The apparent policy is to go
to extremes of waiting. Mr.. Wilson
will be slow to seize pretext for
war. The overt act will have TO be
one about which there can be No
dispute. The violation oe American
rights by a German submarine mus
be so clear that there cannot be tw
opinions in the United States.
No one here has very clear idea o.
the possibilities of success in the sub.
marine blockade Of Great Britain which
the Germans have declared. In thu
Navy Department the greater number
OF experts and officers believe il will
fail. The minority. however, is posi-
tive in the conviction that the block
ade will be at least partly successful.
and all agree that it cannot be even
moderately successful without the loss
OF America ships or lives.
With little sounding of trumpets and
beating of drums a great deal is being
done to get the country ready to 20 on
war footing. In the War Department
Secretary Baker appears 20 have tho
brakes firmly applied. and for the pres
ent there Is little hope that Congress
Will grapple earnestly with the eoun-
try's greatest need, universal military
training. But in the Navy Department
there is disposition everywhere TO
gain all that is possible from the pres
ent emergency.
Votes Money for Air Defence
Amendments are piling up In the
naval appropriations bill, now being
debated in the House. Most of them
have been heartily recommended by
the department. All that have been
adopted so far are very good.
An important amendment adopted
during the days debate allowed 3d.
100000 instead of s1,00O,0O0 for anti
aircraft guns for the defence of navy
yards and magazines. The amendment
was adopted against the protests Of
Fitzgerald. of New York; Madden. of
Illinois; Ragsdale. of South Carolina.
and Galloway. of Texas. The minority
leader, James r. Mann. made a speech
which did much to silence the opposi-
tion.
81 am not excited" saio Mr.. Mann.
81 have not los. my mead. am a.
cool as a cucumber, and | am deter
mircd TO do what | can to keep the
country out Of war. But nobody can
deny the present danger and nobody
knows what the morrow may bring
forth.
81 don't know much about aircraft
and aircraft guns, but | am not so
blind as not to see or so deaf a. not
to hear what is being done in this war.
It does not take a wise man 70 know
that We will need that much at least
for the navy yrrds and millions more
for the CITY o; New York"
Skilled Labor Scarce
The spiri: "a Congress and in the
Executive departments is good. with a
few exceptions, sucn az Secretary
Baker, who is expected to fight to the
end against universal military training.
There is no disposition anywhere to
question expenditures directed toward
quick national defense. The funds are
plentiful enough.
The difficulty comes in ability to
spend. The navy is having its troubles
already in getting skilled labor. rivet-
ters and the like in the navy yards.
These men must be had. A big cam
paicn to get them into government ser.
vice may be expected soon
President Wilson has made ~ piAn
TO the intimates who have seen ana
talked with him that he IS piease9 AZ
the practical unanimity OF ieenns
aroused throughout the country oy ms
i-lG a. k..aL an dinlomatlc Tel8s