The Washington herald., 1917-03-09
ARMING OF SHIPS
FINALLY SETTLED;
WILL DEFY SUBS
Only Question Now Is Wheth-
er President Will Wait
for Congress.
TURKISH BREAK FEARED
Cruiser Des Moines and Collier Caesar.
Rescue Ships. in Danger Of
Being Topedoed.

President Wilson was last night pre-
pared to move at once to put arms aboard
American ships. and allow American
commerce to resume It's way on the ocean.
defytng the German submarine cam
paign- with the way open for leg
islation IN Congress to grant him full
and complete authority, 1t was believed
last night that definite and decisive ac-
ton was but a matter of hours.
Whether the President will move on
his own authority under the Constitu-
ton, as many OF his advisers urge him
to do. or whether he will summon an
early extraordinary session Of Congress
to confirm his powers was not announced
The President, confined to his room with
q heavy cold. received the news of the
Senate action. clearing the way for his
authorization resolution, with deep graft
hcation. but no statement was forthcom-
ing from the White House
Expect Extra Session Call.
There was a growing feeling, how
ever, in administration circles that the
President will seriously consider an i'm
mediate call for an extraordinary ses-
sion. Washington recalled his statement
made when he asked Congress originally
for authority to arm ships. that while
he felt that he had the needed power,
he preferred to have the Endorsement of
Congress for the step he was about tc
take.
Advices to the State Department as to
the treatment of American citizens in
Teutonfc countries again last night
aroused concern and apprehension. De-
spite the fact that the quarantine i'm
posed on the seventy-two American
Tarrowdale prisoners has expired the
department received no advices indicat-
ing that they had been released, anc
American representatives at Madrid, anc
Berne. were asked to make inquiries.
Despite German promises to release
them the Yarrowdale prisoners have
been detained ever since the break In
relations between the two countries.
State Department officials were confident
that there will be no further delay In
their release. but they were anxious to
receive definite adYices.
--, Refugees Are Starving.
Disquieting reports as to the condition
of the thousand or more American refu-
gees in Asia Minor in Turkish territory,
reached the department. These reports
set forth that the Americans. largely
missionaries, are suffering for food, and
that they have been exposed to serious
privations in the prison camps where they
have been detained. The department has
ordered redoubled the efforts to secure
through Turkey safe conduct through the
Mediterranean war zone for the cruiser
Des Moines and the collier Caesar. held
at Alexandria on their way to relieve
these refugees. The efforts Of Germany
to secure the close cooperation Of her
allies in her dispute with the United
States have aroused grave fears that the
two American waTships are in danger Of
being torpedoed by submarines. The loss
Of an American naval vessel in Turkish
waters, it was stated tonight, would force
a break between the United States and
Turkey which might be gratifying to Ger
many.
The State Department likewise received
official reports of minor cases of the de-
tention and mistreatment of Americans
engaged in relief work in Belgium. 1t
was stated, however. that Minister Brand
whitlock had notified the department
that these were isolated cases, in
which minor German army authorities
were responsible.
No move has been decided upon IN
the Austrian situation. The Cabinet will
consider the latest Austrian note today.
1t was stated last night that further ne
gotiations will undoubtedly be prosecuted,
in the hope of averting a break with
Austria.