New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-06
Navy Ready with Guns
and Conveys for
Merchant Ships
RUTHLESS WAR DUE
TO BEGIN TO-DAY
Wilson Visits Daniels and
Baker to Speed Up De-
fence Measures
By STEVENSON H. EVANS


hope, which appears to be feeding
on itself alone, sustains the Admin
istration while it reluctantly makes
ready for war.
"We are hoping for the best ant
preparing for Ine worst Thus
spoke Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF
the Navy, this evening. The phrase
reflects the feeling of the entire gov
ernment.
Daniels's department. directing
the service which would be first
called upon for action in the event OF
war, is beginning to hum with ac'
tivity. Already the Navy stands
ready to supply guns and gunners
for American merchant ships which
are about to sail toward the danger
zone. Even conveys could be sup
piled for passenger service at least
if the President and State Depart
ment could make up their minds.
Last Day of Grace Passes
February 5, the last day or which
according to the German proclama
ton Of frigh.fulness, neutral ships
have any chance in the forbidden
zone, was almost eventless in Wash
ington. To an observer the outstand
ing feature was the further develop
nents of the hope that there will b'
no next step; that the country vii
vet be saved from the horrors ol
war; that the Germans do not NEAR
what they say.
"Only actual overt acts on their part
can make President Wilson believe that
the Germans mean what they say. UI
to the present moment that is the
pleasant fiction on which all depart
ments of the government are proceed
ing.
That is whv the American liner st
Louis may sail unconvoyed and un'
armed. That is why the activities OF
American officials who have sought to
make sure of scotching in advance Ger
man plots to ruin shipping have beer
checked at the beginning.
Extra efforts were made to-day by
the personal assistants of the head OF
the government to send out inspired
stories that nothing illegal will be
done in seizing or guarding German
ships"
Germans Look for War
There is a remarkable difference eb'
tween the official American and the Of
fetal German point of view as to the
possibility of immediate hostilities. The
official American opinion is founded
upon the nvetera;e optimism, which, as
the President says, is part OF the
national character.
The official German opinion. on the
other hand, is not founded on pes
,imism. but rather upon the cold reali-
tics which the situation presents. There
cannot fail to be hostile acts, accord
ing TO the German opinion here, and II
the President means what he says tha;
means war.
The Germans here have no illusion.
as to the meaning of the last desperate
move ordered by Berlin. 1t means that
Germany has begun to starve. II
means that If she cannot starve Eng
land in three months, at the longest
the war is over. That is the bedrock
down 10 cases" opinion OF Germans
who are still mere. The war may not
be over in three months. but the certain
result will be known by that time.
Real Preparedness Urged
stand by the President" TO the last
flicker Of hope for peace, is the watch
word throughout Washington. But at
the same time, as the days go By with
out developing any appearance OF real
fundamental preparation for war. there
lators. who regard tine perils Of the
/, uneasiness among practical legis-
situation as something more than an
adventure.
They are not Iulled by the fact that
the naval militia is guarding the Brook
lyn Bridge. They hype Mr.. Wilson,
having said A, will say B-naving an
nounced the country's moral prepared
ness for war, will look 10 its physical
preparedness.
The navy is perhaps as ready as legls-
lstion can make il, but the army, head
ed by q professed pacifist, who. in his
only annual report, ignored the need
for army legislation altogether. IS in
far worse shape than Englsnd's was in
1914. and cannot be expanded except by
Legislation Of the most sweeping kind