Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-06
The prisoners were released. Ger

The prisoners We're released, Ger
many claims, because at the time o.
their enlistment they did not know
Germany had planned to treat all arm.
ed ships as war vessels. This seems tt
indicate to officials here that Germany
decided to treat such vessels as war.
ships as far back as when the mer
taken into port on tho Yarrowdale tool
ont their papers several months ago.
One Of the last acts by America be.
fore the severance of relations with
Germany was demand for the immedi.
ate release Of these prisoners and a
most energetic protest against theil
original detention.
The ambassadors dispatch today
seems to have been sent before ne was
directed to ask his passports.
Americans Well Treated.
1t is stated officially today that there
Is no change in the status Of some g..
900 Americans in Germany.
They have been advised Of the break
IN relations. that they may make indi-
vidual decisions as to their action
American embassy officials will assist
any Americans as long as they remain
and thereafter the Spanish ambassador
will take up the work.
Guarding German Rights.
While the United States stands be-
fore the world court of public opinion
in the anxious waiting period which
will determine peace, or war with Ger
many, President Wilson is determined
that there shall be no word or deed
to merit reproach, even from Ger
many herself.
Nothing is to be done which is moi
fully justified by the laws of nations
and humanity; nothing is to be done
for expediency: nothing is to be done
which Is not legal and just
Must Be Beyond Criticism.
With a hope for peace, and readi-
ness to meet war if it must be. the
president has made it clear to all his
officials that the course Of the United
States, difficult as it is. must be en-
tirelys.beyond criticism.
To that end German rights and prop
erty in the United States are to have
full protection of law, and the president
wishes every American citizen to for
bear from any thought or act which
might lead his country nearer to war
Hope that Germany might at the last
moment modify her declaration of un-
restricted submarine warfare was al
most dissipatea today by the news dis
patches from Berlin which gave the
word of high German officials that
there would be no turning back.
No Overt Act Vet?
With that hope waning, American
officials now only await an actual dem
onstration of how the new decree will
affect American rights. The news of
the killing Of an American seaman in
the shelling Of the boats Of the British
steamer Eavestone Is not now regarded
as the feared overt act. 1t will be thor
oughly investigated before it is assign
ed to its proper place as a factor in
the situation.
Meanwhile Austria's case still is un-
determined. While it is known that
the dual monarchy has officially ad-
hered to Germany's declaration. as 1t
now stands before the state depart
ment, her announced intentions are
somewhat different from Germany's,
but it is doubtful II there can be a
real distinction., Rupture of relations
with Austria seams no less certain than
1t did. but the situation must go thru
definite processes before decision is
announced.