Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-15
AMERICAN SHIP SUNK
Grew of Lyman NJ. Law
Saved, However, and
Warning Was Given.
GET READY FOR WORST
Defense Council Meets
Daily and More Pre-
cautions Are Taken.

WASHINGTON. Feb. IL
The steady accommodation of
violations of American rights
by Germany made it appear
likely today that President
Wilson would go before con-
gress to ask authority Cor fur
ther protecting lives and prop
crty without waiting for a
serious disaster which might
shock the country. There are
no indications, however, that
he believed the time for such
a step had come and it again
was stated authoritatively that
he would move deliberately
and with full appreciation of
all the consequences involved.
L. = Ship Sunk.
Official reports OF the sinking of tho
American schooner Lyman NJ. Law IN
the Mediterranean by an Austrian sub
marine added only slightly TO the ten
sion for. while the act is believed to
have been Illegal. no lives were lost
The incident was not looked upon as
one in itself to hurry the development
of the situation
Preliminary reports began coming
to government departments showing
the pling up about the Atlantic sea-
board OF goods destined for export to
European ports.
Preparations by the government for
any cvcntuality still are going forward.
Much importance is attached to tho
work Of the council for national de-
fcnsc, which is holding daily sessions.
II was stated today that 1t was pos
siblc the government would take no
steps toward actually furnishing arms
to American ships until the president.
II he decides, goes before congress.
No Excuse to Germans.
while the state department takes
the position that the government has
the right to furnish the guns, other
questions which make the question
more complex have arisen, The great
est of these is the determination OF
the president To- do nothing which
might give Germany the excuse In any
trouble which may follow to place
the responsibility upon the United
States.
Consul Trcadway at Rome forward
ed dispatches today showing that the
schooner Law was sunk by AN AUS
triau submarine without flag" appar-
entity by placing "a bomb aboard after
the vessel had even stopped. The re-
ports Indicate that the vessel was IL
legally sunk as-her cargo Of lumber
is not considered cOutrahand by this
government and that the recognized
rule OF the sea that war craft must
show It's flag before taking hostile
actions was Violated.
"Sub" Was Austrian.
Most serious of the aspects OF tho
case Is the statement that the sub
marine was Austrian. In replying 20
the queries that will be sent TO Vienna
as 90 the facts of the sinking 1t Is thot
more than probable that Austria may
make some statement which Will pre-
country
The question W the armament Of
American merchantmen seemed 90 DO
temporarily disposed of today 10y tho
Official statement that there were no
guns iu the country to bc had by
shin owners, unless the government
provided them and the strong inti-
nation that the president expects 10
go before congress again before COM
miuiug the government to "a policy OF
furnishing arms.
Tho detention by Germany OF the
~ American sailors brought In as
prisoners ON the prize ship Yarrow-
dale Will result I'm "a peremptory de-
wpud for their release within a few
days Reports I'm answer to queries by
the state department already are COM
ing In from the outlying possessions
of ,hc United states as to the treat
mont OF German crews there and
complete statement on that subject
will be sent to Germany as soon as
possible. accompanied by the demand
for tho freedom Of the Americans.
Exclusive ot the 20 Iarrowdalo
prisoners II Is thot the number OF
native Americans In Germany has
fallen since the break from about five
hundred 10 less than 250 with perhaps
another fifty I'm Austria. The exact
number Of native Americans I'm Bull
raiia and Turkey who probably can.
not he reached in any circumstance
is unknown.
Inquiry to Turkey
Another inquiry was sent TO Turkey
toda, asking Ambassador Elkus why
he had not been ahlo TO report 10 tho
dopartmcN as to the condition OF the
one thousand Americans, uaturnlize'
and others. maroongd In syria and 1s
to whether Turkey plans to carry OUT
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