New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-21
Cabinet and President Agree Upon
Delay, Hoping That U-Boat
Campaign Will Fail
Germany Will Not Back Down, Teutons Declare
Whoever Enters Barred Zone Perishes
in It." Warns Semi Official Over
seas News Agency
By STEVENSON H. EVANS

haSnlDSIOHJ SS' ~ ~ W.
s.nt and his official advisers are en-
s,.lv satisfied with the policy which
this government has pursued since
N. break in diplomatic relations
nth Germany. They believe that
N. country is satisfied with the
policy.
At meeting of the Cabinet this
.,,s,noon the President indicated
his firm purpose to go to the extreme
# pstience. He will insist on the
loneest possible delay on the matter
Of arming ships and when he again
rces before Congress ne will make
Dlain that only as last recourse, In
the face of actual destruction Of
American life and property, will this
country 60 TO war.
AVOIDS DECISION ON ARMING
Even on the question of arming
American merchantmen the members
ef the Administration hope that this
government will be able to avoid a
decision. American ships, 1t is
thought. will not be held long IN
nor. even if arms are not supplied,
after their owners see that the sub
Marine campaign has been failure.
Eventually, if conditions demand 1t,
the ships will be armed with naval
guns
Figures supplied tonight by the
British Embassy 60 far toward sup
nortine the assertion that the Ger
mans cannot make good their threat
of friehtfulness on the high seas
For every hundred ships-vessels
under 100 tons not counted-which
have arrived at or left British ports
between February 1 and February
IA the Germans have sunk less than
one. II that is the best the Germans
can do. American officials are Will
ng to believe that the Germans will
hardly force the United States into
the war by ruthless destruction OF
our ships, unwarned.
The caution which the government
is using was shown vividly to-day IN
the request sent to Turkey to obtain
safe conduct for the American
vsrships which are waiting to bring
refugee Americans from Beirut.
FORCING ACTION BY AUSTRIA
The American government has no
hope Of long maintaining diplomatic
relations with Austria. A high oh-
aal of the department said to-day
he break was sure and would come
quickly unless the Dual Monarchy
promptly reaffirmed its promise con-
iained in the Ancona note.
The aide memoire which Ambas-
.ador Penfeld delivered at Vienna
today was sent TO force statement
from Austria which in effect would
Be a reputation Of the German de-
cree Of frightfulness. AS the Aus
TRANS already have sent to this gov
eminent note identical with the
German note declaring unrestricted
submarine warfare, although the
United States has not yet made IL
public, there is little hope Of such
rspudiation.
Bulgaria has informed this gov
ernment that no submarines ny tne
bulgarian flag, and has reminded US
hat Bulgaria's ports all are on the
Black Sea. The number Of Turkish
Submarines is extremely small, but
as soon as the diplomatic break
ocmes with Austria it will be eH-
ended TO Turkey and Bulgaria.
WILSON COSCEALs PLANS
High officials said after the Cabl-
~ meeting that there had been no
ss'slopment Of importance, ana IN.
etsted that President Wilson had
~ made known his decision as 70
shen his next step would be taken.
Members Of the Senate who talked
WITH Administration officials during
ne day gained the impression that
arrangements for the Presidents ap'
fsrance before Congress would be
made early next week.
AZ the State Department IL war
said that the situation continued u
@ a. serious as il could be, short Of
S' The oispatcn from Consul
.f'st At Queenstown, announcing
We sinking by shell fire Of the Nor
"sYian steamer DsIbesttie, with two
ast'se Americans IN her crew, ID
yn'y one Of number Of reports b
y department. which tell Of viola
&'ns Of neutral rights and endan.
ssf'nx Of neutral life. Available