Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-08
PEACE APPEARS NEARER
END TO WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON. Feb. \.
Peace with Germany appears nearer an
end today. President Wilson had before
him all available state Department details
sent by Consul Frost at Queenstown. Of
the torpedOng by a German submarine Of
the British liner california, carrying 200
passengers and crew. Of whom many were
women and children. The ship was sunk
without warning.
The fact that the one American aboard
John A. Lee, Of Montgomery. Ala. mem
toned in Consul Frosts cablegram. was
saved, may prove to he the slender thread
by which President Wilson may hold to
the existing peace with the Eaiser's Gov
ernment.
such officials pointed to Americas fre-
quent declarations that American lives are
not to be placed I'm jeopardy" by unlawful
acts Of Gcrmauv's submarine commanders
Following this theory. some Of these OIL
cals said IT would not surprise them If
President Wilson feels compelled to come
again before Congress to ask the authority
Of Congress to adopt such measures as he
might deem necessary to protect United
States Seamcn and people.
These officials said the california sinking
might he the overt act necessary TO con-
vince the President that the Imperial Ger
man Government is indeed bent on carrying
out 20 the letter the "wi,ful prosecution Of
the ruthless naval program announcement
Of which caused Wilson TO sever relations.
The fact that no Americans pershed was
simply a ease of pure luck" officials ad-
mtted The spirit and intent or Germany,
they declare. was openly displayed regard
less Of the personnel Of the passenger list
And had "A majority Of the travellers been
American women and children, instead Of
foreigners the attack would have occurred
just the same, they believe.
ON the other hand, those who know tho
Presidents mind and purpose in the present
crisis, declare cmphatically there must be
no yestge of doubt. no question whatever
as 10 the case being clear.cut violation
of American rights before actual warfare
will result
Should the President adopt a course Of
war he must be able, they hold to demand
the backing Of a united country.
And so great is the nations love for peace
that they believe such backing would not
come should there be any doubt or sus-
picion in the grounds on which the Presi-
dent might base any warlike action
As was anticipated, the Presidents action
in breaking with Germany has accomplished
the same result as an open warning to
American travellers and American shipown-
ers to remain in port.
Action of American Line owners in ndef-
intely postponng the sailing Of their ves-
sells indicates they take this view.
with the seas cleared Of American ships
and American travellers refusing to take
pdNSdEe Oh belllBeTeHt Vessels lntre VIII De
small likelihood of American lives being
lost, It Is pointed out.
Should American ships decide to arm de-
fensively, as the Government has ruled they
may, crisis may come very soon.
Germany has held any ship with arma-
ment is a warship
With armed American merchantmen ply
ing in the German danger zones an ulti-
mate clash with n C-boat would be ineVit-
able, it is believed
Decision of the state Department to send
no conveys with American ships until actual
war is at hand is in line with President
Wilson's determination to take no steps that
might be construed as a warlike act pend
ing open hostility.