The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-07
AMERICAN POLICY Determined.
BELIEVED THAT WILSON HAS
DISPATCHED NOTE TO GER
MANY ON SUBMARINE
WARFARE
Matter IS Kept Secret and Only Few
Offcials Know Contents of Commit
nication Said to Have Been Formu.
lated-German Ambassador Said to
tbe Expecting Severance OF Diplo-
matte Relations.

washington, Feb. Whatever
course of action President Wilson
has chosen to meet Germanys decla.
ration Of unrestricted submarine
warfare is known only to three or
four members of his official family.
Neither the cabinet as a whole nor
the foreign affairs committee Of con-
gress.
One high official close to the pres
idert declares tonight that no COM
munication had been sent to Berlin
or to Count Won Bernstorff, who out
wardly was expecting severance Of
diplomatic relations.
There was every indication in OF
ficial quarters that a note had been
determined upon but the indications
as to whether it actually had been
di- patched We're about evenly divid-
ed. with a few high officials as
authority that it had not and some
others who gave intimations Of a be-
lief that it had.
From under the curtain Of official
silence drawn closely over every move
today came various indications TAX
en- everywhere as index figures point
ing towards the probable course Of
the United States.
It was undisputed that the govern
msnt would not permit Germany's
announcement to stand without chal-
lenge but whether President Wilson's
answer will be a solemn warning Of
break in diplomatic relations II
tGermany's campaign of ruthlessness
ts carried into execution or actual
~; q severance Of relations without
fufther waiting, remained undisclosed.
White House officials and Secretary
Lansing followed the same course
they have adopted in previous oc-
eesions when a communication had
been dispatched to Berlin and they
were awaiting it's receipt in the Ger
man capital before making any an
Gcement in this country. It, was
Nurse Of absolute silence: Of Mat
sefasal to disclose any information
Xbatever; to discuss the subject in
r. way Or to answer any inquiries
upon It, !.
All the days developments followed
this same course. which has become
familiar to close observers Of the
procedure Of the administration when
it is dealing with a foreign crisis.
Secretary Lansing began by dciy-'
ing himself to ldil callers. Notwith-'
Standing that it was the regular day
for receiving representatives Of FOR
eign governments at the state de-
partment, he declined to receive such
persons as the British and Japanese
ambassadors and they we're turned
over to subordinate officials.
It became known then that Mr..
Lansing was engaged at work ION
something for the president"
Shortly before noon the secretary
went to the White House. taking with
him some documents and instead of
going to the executive offices he and
the president conferred undisturbed
in the mansion itself, where he and
the president remained for more than
an hour. .p
a ynR
Lansing refused absolutely to discuss
the situation or answer any inquiries.
Then later in the day when ne met
the newspaper correspondents he
said. Gentlemen. I have nothing to
tell you; neither will I answer any
questions"
He modified this later statement
only to say he had no communication
throughout the day with the German
ambassador. adding that there was
no prospect Of any announcement
during the night.
Among ali officials capable of
knowing the probable course ot the
president. the only point of doubt
seemed to be whether O communica-
ton to Germany would carry only
a warning or whether it would con-
slider Germany's declaration sufficient
In itself for action. All seemed to
take 1t for granted that a decision
had, quickly been determined upon.
It was pointed out that one reason
for Withholding knowledge Of the
presidents course is the necessity Of
completing certain arrangements,
many of physical character, to pre-
pare the country for eventualities
which would be expected to follow a
diplomatic break. The safeguarding
Of American ports, safety Of Amcri-
cans In Germany, the presence Of