Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-01
NEW WAR CRISIS
CONFRONTS u. S.
CONTINUED from Page -

gates could cause damage that would
take weeks to repair.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff re-
manned at the Embassy here waiting.
He admitted privately that in his opin-
ion the German note meant exactly
what II said. and that IL would be put
into effect on schedule time. II was
very plain from his attitude that he
expected a diplomatic break, altho he
entertained a very slight hope that
the United States would accept the
German position as one of retaliation
only against her enemies and would
not force the issue. The Ambassador
declined to make any comment what.
ever this morning on the situation.
lie had the newspapers brought to
him as soon as they were available
and carefully studied the editorial
comment in them.
II was admitted in official circles to-
day that President Wilson had expect.
ed Germany to adopt the policy an
nounced yesterday. Ambassador Ger.
ard told the State Department that
this action was planned last Saturday
but 1t had been hoped by the Presi-
dent and the few officials that we're in
his confidence that the efforts being
made by the United States to bring
about peace would prevent its being
put into effect for some time to come
A hint that this would not be so
reached here just previous to Tues
days regular cabinet meeting and re-
suited In general discussion of the
entire subject of German relations.
The Atlantic fleet in splendid
strategic position in Guantanamo at
the present time, officials say. There
are assembled in the deep harbor
there the battleships Pennsylvania.
Admiral Mayos flagship; Connecticut,
Michigan, South Carolina, New York,
Delaware. Oklahoma, Texas, Florida,
Utah, Wyoming. Nevada and Arizona:
the destroyers Tanning, Jarvis. Balch,
Aylwin, Parker, Duncan, Drayton,
Mccall, Gushing. McDougal, Wilslow,
Nicholson, Wadsworth, Conynham,
Porter, Tucker, Wainwright Davis,
Welkes, Cassin and Cummings; the
supply ships Celtic, Cyclops, Jupiter,
kanawha and Neptune, the mine de-
pot ship Baltimore, the repair ship
hn 10
and Dixie.
Any OF all Of these vessels can be
rushed to the Panama canal at a mo.
ment's notice, as all are in battle
trim
Secretary Lansing reached his Of
fce shortly after o'clock. He was
srave-faced but refused positively to
commit on the German note. He said
tirat he expected to confer with the
President before noon. When asked
whether action would be decided On
at that conference he said, Better
wait and see"
Shortly after Mr. Lansing get TO his
Iesk Secretary OF War Baker called
ON him but IL was denied that the
foreign situation was under discus
sion.
Senators and Representatives were
early at the capitol They were anx-
ious for news OF what was taking
place at the White House and the
state department, sThe concensus OF
opinion was that Germanys action
had forced the hand OF The United
States and that drastic action hardly
could be avoided
There was an evident minority
which was hopeful that the President
would not take any hasty action, but
would address another note to the
German government.
Germans Admit Break is Near.
Washington, Feb. l-Germany en-
bassy officials today admitted they
had very little hone that break be-
tween the United States and their
governmnt can be avoided The last
move has been made by the embassy,
1t was stated, until President Wilson
has acted on the German note and
they. calmly await this governments
action
One high official in the embassy
said:
Y my government reserved the right
to change the pledge it made in the
Sussex case Is new conditions arose.
Now conditions have arisen in that
the entente allie rejected Germany's
peace, offer and President Wilson's
proposals. The allies insist that there
shall be no peace without victory.
Germany takes them at their word
and is going to make the victory hers.
THE German government hopes
the United States will perceive the
new conditions that have arisen and
not carry out the threat of the Sus-
sex note without mature considera-
ten