Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-19
President Sees Senators and
Is Understood to Be Consid-
ering Making, Request
for More Power.
SITUATION IS UNCHANGED
Continued Holding of American
Vessels in Ports Constitutes
Grave Situation.
BERNE MESSAGE GRAT1FIEs


ability of going, before congress be-.
fore the end OF the present session,
March 4, to make certain that he be
clothed with sufficient power to pro-
;ect American lives and property from
German submarine activities was dis,
cussed by President Wilson yesterday
with members OF the senate whom he
called into conference during brief
visit to the capitol,
Afterward it was indicated the pres
ident had not made up his mind on
the question, but had such a step un-
der consideration, because of the pos
sibility that after adjournment some
sudden emergency might arise neces-
stating action before congress could
be called together again. e.J
The suggestion was made that CON
gress might be asked to pass a broad
resolution, authorizing the president
to take any necessary measures for
protection of American rights and
avoiding-specihc stipulations as to
how the protection should be afforded
1t was indicated that Mr.. Wilson
remained as anxious as ever to avoid
war and that he gave no suggestion
that declaration of war, which con-
gress alone can make, is even con
sidered by him at present in connec-
ton with the possibility of request
for additional authority
The general feeling here has been
that Germany's submarine campaign
sooner or later will lead inevitably to
such violation of American rights
as will require the further action fore
casted by the president in his address
TO congress two weeks ago. The
president,i is understood to feel, how
ever. that when the time comes the
solution outlined in that address
should be followed out literally, and
the steps taken should constitute an
extension of further protection to
American interests rather than dec
laration of war. ...,tr
Grati6ed by Messages.
Officials were much gratihed at,
message from Berne today saying the
American consuls remaining in Ger
many, for whom some concern has
been felt, would depart early next
week, but there was no evidence that
the development would lessen to an
appreciable degree the tension be-
tween the two countries. II has been
pointed out that the overshadowing
issue is the German submarine cam
paign and that any other controversy
must be considered as of minor conse-
qucnces.
There also was much qualification
here over a report from Ambassador
Elkus saying that Turkey was ar.
ranging to facilitate the departure OF
the several hundred American refu-
gees at Beirut. Officials,regarded the
news as an indication that the Otto
man government was disposed not TO
break with the United States if it
could be avoided. There were no de-
vclopments during the day in the
situation with Austria, but some off
cials now are hopeful that the break
with Germany will not be extended to
any of its allies.
Not More Immediate.
President Wilson's visit to the capi-
tol is understood to have been pri-
marily for the purpose of discussing
with senator's the legislative program
and to urge passage of various admin
istration bills during the remaining
two weeks of the session. With most
of the senators seen he did not talk
of the foreign situation and the i'm
preston gained ground among some
of them that he did not consider the
emergency any more immediate than
he did several days ago. 1t is known
on the other hand, that the continued
holding of many vessels i'll port has
come to be looked upon here as con-
dition for which some remedy must
be found. .., 49,.
If the president decides to go be-
| fore congress again before the end
of the present session he is expected
to point to this condition of shipping.
Senator Simmons of the senate
| finance committee was one of the
senators who talked with the presi-
dent today and as result it is under
stood that in case congressional ac-
ton is found advisable provision for
necessary expenditures will also be
made. ",. 80
Calls on Baker.
lust before going to the capitol the
president paid~a brief visit to Secre-
tary Baker at the War department,
and, while it was thought possible
that they discussed universal military
training, the secretary would make no
| statement.
State department officials character
lied as very friendly the scommunica-
ton from Constantinople concerning
the Americans at Beirut.