New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05

man reprisals that will make war in
evitable.
There was an immense amount OF
Joyous comment everywhere. The peo-
PIE talked Of the war being shortened
by many months, of the possibility that
midsummer might see it over. or abso-
lutte and quick victory. President Will
sons portrait and the Stars and Stripes
we're flashed on many screens, and Sun
day afternoon assemblages in the NOV
ing picture houses all over Paris
cheered. Groups surrounded the news
paper kiosks and the boulevards, walt
ing for the earliest editions, and then
stood around reading them.
Wilson a Popular Figure Now
President Wilson has suddenly be-
come one of the most popular figures
in French minds.
Soldiers at railroad stations. return
ing from leave, were among the most
earnest readers of the afternoon
papers. Great satisfaction at the &C
tiou of the United States is felt among
leading Frenchmen, but there is no dis
position to comment formally on
events. A wave of cordial good feeling
is shown everywhere.
The American Embassy ceased to
look after German interests from D
o'clock yesterday afternoon, under in.
structions from Washington. The EN-.
bassy has not yet been informed as to
who will take charge of the interests Of
the Central Empires.
A staff OF forty persons at the Amerl-
can Embassy has been managing the
accounts of $4,000 civilian prisoners,
Germans, Austrians, Turks and Bull
garians, receiving money from their
home countries, and also Of the prison
ers OF war confined in a hundred diff
ferent military camps. This work has
been immense in detail and often deli
cate questions are raised. The en-
bsssy also has had 20 do with the food
supplies to the French population in
the invaded districts Of France.
Sharp Deters Travellers
The ambassador, William q. Sharp.
has telegraphed TO the consul at Bor
deauX TO advise Americans or the point
of departure to defer their sailing
This is the same counsel given TO
Americans inquiring at the embassy
to-day. Probably a hundred Americans
called at or telephoned to the embassy
and expressed their satisfaction over
the decision taken by President Wilson
The news was received joyfully by
the Americans at the headquarters of
the field ambulance service and among
American aviators training at Buc. The
newspapers publish teXtually the Presi-
dents speech before Congress aud ar
ticles upon the military and naval re-
sources of the United States, as we'll as
very considerable editorial comment.
act an incontestible grandeur says
La Eiberte." History will say of
Wilson, the pacifist, that he was too
proud. not to fight, but to give way,
and that, placed between solicitude for
national honor and apprehension for
the unknown consequences perhaps
formidable-he did not want humili-
atlng peace.
His case resembles that of the King
of the Belgians. Albert ! might have
been able 70 avoid the avalanche that
menaced him By resigning himself 70
a state of vassalagc. No more than he
did Mr.. Wilson think single instan'
of breaking his word and making h.s
country an object of derigion."
The paper cautions the public against
unmeasured hopes, saying:
Public opinion should not, however
indulge in unreseryed expectations. 4
diplomatic rupture is not war. II IS,
perhaps, step leading TO 1t, but II IS
prudent not to anticipate. Let us limit
ourselves to noting the great act Of
which we are the happy witnesses, be-
cause it vindicates humanity. II brings
us. besides, a considerable moral sup
port and very important economic help.
LET us not ask anything else for the
moment. Let US turn our anxious re-
gard toward neutrals, such as Spain,
that are lighting for existence. and to
whom Mr. Wilson has just pointed OUT
the road to follow"
Neutrals Resist Blackmail
LA Presse" says: 1.-THE Germans are
decidedly bad psychologists. According
10 their own confession, they have un-
chained redoubled piracy with the sole
object of impelling the neutras to in
torvene moro theoretically in favor OF
a German peace. But here are the neu-
trails who resist the blackmail.
"a rupture of diplomatic relations is
not equivalent to a declaration Of war,
but under the present circumstances
constitutes an action Of exceptional
gravity. By driving the United States
to this extremity Germany has made
sterile the pacific action of President
Wilson.
"If the words Of Aristidc BRAND,
characterizing "a "A war msmGuvre'
Germany's offer OF peace, required con-
firmation. the events of to-day suffice
for that Now. what are the other neu-
trails going TO do? viii they incline be-
fore Germsny's menaces, or will they
face her ounder the guide of the Star