Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-23
NEW j. S. NOTE TO
DEMAND RELEASE
Of j. s. SAILORS
MESSAGE TO GERMANY WILL ASK
ACTION AT ONCE.
WILL APPEAL TO CONGRESS
President to Go Before Lawmakers
Early Next Week and Ask Author
ity to Protect Lives of Amer
leans and Property.

Wa6AuuStOu, cd. l0.-A new tlt.-
vigorous demand for the release OF
the Americans from the prize ship Var
rowdale held prisoners in Germany will
be sent forward in the very near fu-
ture, it was stated definitely. The de-
mand will be accompanied by a full
statement on treatment accorded Ger
mans and German ships in the Upited
States.
Wilson confers With Aid.
Secretary Lansing and President
Wilson held brief conference at the
White House and afterward they
walked together through heavy snow
storm to the state department.
The president and Secretary Lansing
remained together for only a few min
ntes and then the president went into
the office of Secretary Daniels.
Secretary Lansing says mo big
event" was responsible for the con-
ference. It was thought possible the
arming Of American merchantmen was
under discussion.
Wilson Before Congress Soon.
Without cessation in pushing plans
Tor preparedness and without the
slightest diminution in watchfulness Of
the developments in the relations be-
tween the United States and the CEN
nal powers of Europe, President Will
son Is biding his time preparatory to
going before congress with a closed
case againrt Germany which will justi-
fy him in asking congress for authority
to protect American lives and property.
That the relations between Germany
and the United States are drifting in
the general direction of an armed cen
ftct and that the relations between the
United States and the other central
powers are substantially at the break
Ing point is the general opinion among
the highest officials here.
When the president will go before
congress will depend entirely upon cir
cumstances. The opinion grows among
officials, however, that such q step will
not be long deferred.
1t is possible that If evidence of the
deleterious effect of Germany's subrna-
rfne order on American commerce con-
hnues to accumulate or an overt act
Is committed, the president may go to
congress within a few days and ask
authority to employ the navy, at least,
In defense of American rights. There
Is no indication that such action, If
taken, will occur before Saturday or
Monday.
Stirred by Shipping Tieup.
The government began to feel the
lnsistent need for action soon to open
way for movement of shipping held
up in American ports by suspension of
sailfngs because of the German sub.
marine campaign. Reports on the ac.
cumulattng freight are reaching off.
eials regularly and, although the stu.
alton Is not yet regarded as critical
I 1t is apparent that American industries
will be affected unless ocean shipping
starts to move before long.
The sinking Of the American schoon
er Lyman NJ. Law in the Mediterranean
by an Austrian submarine, probably
after warning, is regarded by officials
here as contrary to international law
as the cargo was not contraband and
the submarine displayed no flag, bzs
rs no lives were lost 1t is believed the
incident will not in itself develop inss
cause for drastic action by this gov
ernment.
Drift From Bad to Worse.
The president and his advisers ar
Undertaking to view the situation Il
Its broadest aspect. They are not per
nitting themselves to be upset by frs
reports OF incidents calculated t
strain further the relations. alread
had enough, with the central powers
These high officials note the continue
drift Of these relations from bad t
worse, and cannot help feeling tina
sooner or later an accumulation O
small events or q catastrophe will al
ter the situation completely. Wit
foresight they are preparing for th
worst.
So far as Germany IS concerned, thi
government Is watching every deta
In the development Of Germany's sui
marine policy, and is preparing
voluminous report as to the treatmer
accorded all German interned shiI
and sailors with view to convincin
the world that this government is reg
lating it's conduct squarely on intern
donal law.
Why Not Conveys to Germany?
|
It developed that one reason WI
this government hesitates to convt
American ships to European ports b
fore an overt act of hostility has be-
committed lies in the fact that Ge
many might regard it as an unneutr
act in that American ships would d
: be similarly conveyed to Germf
ports. No decision has been announc'
with reference to arming Americs
ships, but enough guns have been q
sembled at the Brooklyn navy yal
for this purpose If decision is a
. nounced.
J. Willie Hoppe Breaks Records.
: Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 16.-Wfl
a Hoppie, worlds balk line biflial
4 champion, broke all records in thr
e cushion billiards match here yesterd
S when he defeated Jake Schaefer so
j. Is In 81 innings.