The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-14
WILSON'S COURSE DECIDED.
WILL ASK CONGRESS FOR PROF.
Err DEFENSE MEASURES, AND
WILL NOT DECLARE
WAR.
Issue VIII be Left to Germany with
America Standing ON Her Rights
and Prepared for Defensive Action.

America Standing ON Her Rights
and Prepared for Defensive Action.
Washington, Feb. 9.-The course to
be taken by the United States IL Ger
many compels the use Of force :" safe
guard American lives and rights has
been determined. IL was learned au-
thoritatively after today's cabine,
meeting that in the event President
Wilson goes before congress again it
will not be to ask for a declaration
OF war. but to follow literally the
words Of the address i'm which he an
nounced the break Of diplomatic rela.
tions and request authority to use
means deemed necessary to protect
American seamen and people.
The president. II was stated, is as
anxious as ever to avoid war with
Germany bu also is as determined as
ever that American yitizens and ships
shall be FREQ to travel the high seas
unmolested. His next step II taken
will be to enforce that right and even
then the issue of war or peace will be
with Germany. Any hostile action
will have to come In the form of an
Interference with an American right.
Details of the governments plans
are not discussed. 1t Is known. how
ever. that conveying and arrning OF
merchant ships are being considered.
No new development came today 70
indicate that the overt act by Ger-
many regarded as inevitable was near
or at hand. Fewer reports OF ships
sunk came In and none told officially
OF the loss OF an American life. Fur
ther information received about
George Washington. the negro fireman
lost on the Turino. indicated that he
probably was a British subject.
The cabinet met today with ali
members present except Secretary Nc
Adoc. Just before the meeting the
majority Of the members had attend
ed session Of the council for national
Nesfnse. called at the war department
- elecuss nObllisation Of the nation's
,Eess (. - - 4 4 I, 4 rs.lt 4 : e nsehx oEsss
( - the sovetnmsht In the event
of trouble. =
Practically every mcmber took to
the cabinet information about the ac.
tivities OF his department In connec.
ton with the general precautions be
ing taken. Questions discussed in
eluded proposed emergency lcgisla
don. stops for protecting property
mail problems. precipitated by tn,
failure OF ships to sail from American
ports for Europe. economic issues
and the army and navy preparations
After tho meeting II was authori-
tatively stated that nothing had yet
happened to change the course pur-
sued by he government since the
break In relations with Germany. The
cumulative effect OF reports of res-
sells sunk by German submarines COL
iected by the state department. how
ever. has been TO make officials GER
tain that Germany is indeed pro-
cceding with her proclaimed policy
of ruthlessness.
The effect of the tying up OF shiDs
In American harbors because of fear
that they will be sunk IL they pass
through the war zone Is one of the
questions being given careful con
sideration. SO far as could he learned
today there have been no reports 10
the government of serious conse-
auences to industries but such re-
ports are expected and the enforced
idieness of the merchant fleet lis Il
subject Of growing evaporation.
Some resentment was expressed IN
administration quarters today over
what was construed as an implication
contained In Germany's request OF
Ambassador Gerard that old treaties
between Prussia and the Unite
States be reafilrmed that such acton
was necessary to make certain that
the rights or Germans in this couu
try guaranteed under these treaties Ic
made secure. 1t was reiterated tha,
the American government fully in.
tends acting according TO the spirit
OF the treaties. While the treaty ac
tualiy was abrogoted by passage "f
the seamen's law with n conflicting
section. the government here Ion.s
upon the past as at least furnishiar
thcguiding principle under which So
WIFI act.
The administration is understood
To he highly gratihed by the action
taken by many of tho neutrols IN, r,,,