Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-03


day.
PRESIDENT Wilson, after comforting
with the cabinet NOR, than two lours,
hurried to the capitol to confer with
Chairman Stone of the foreign rela-
tions committee whoi he had previ-
ously promised to consult before
breaking off diplomatic relations.
Won't Discuss Situation.
All the cabinet members, sworn to
secrecy, refused to discuss the situa-
ton. One gave an intimation OF its
nature by saying:
THE very near future will develop
something very, very serious
The only announcement from the
White House was contained in this
brief statement:
The president and the cabinet
thoroughly canvassed the situation,
but there is nothing 10 announce"
Secretary Lansing in reply to re-
quests for advice from the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine will notify
the company he thinks it better for
the American liner St. Louis not to
sail tomorrow or until the issue Is de-
cided.
Crosses to capito.. :
The president did not find Senator
Stone in the senate Office building so
he crossed over to the capitol to
search for the chairman OF the for
eign relations committee.
Finding Senator Stone at the capi-
toll, the president wen. into conference
with him in the Office Of the foreign
relations committee. 10 one else was
present.
Another .abinet member said:
1.-THE last chance has not yet gone.
While Germany has announced its
purpose, il has not carried It into ef-
feet so far as we know" He refused
to say whether action would come
within the next twenty-four or forty
eight hours.
Goes to Presidents Room.
After being with Senator Stone for
an hour Mr.. Wilson. accompanied by
the senator, walked to the presidents
room on the senate side Of the capitol.
When the president reached his
room, near the senate chamber, the
senate had just adjourned. Several
senator's filed into the room to see the
president, among them Senators Phe-
Ian, Myers, Ovcrman and Ransdell.
Others appeared in rapid succession.
Clerks were scurrying to the Office
building and committee rooms in an
effort to intercept senators before
they left for their homes.
Feels Senate Pulse.
Senator Vardaman, first Of the sen.
ators to leave the conference, said
nothing had been decided and that
the president was feeling the pulse
OF the senate In the emergency.
Senator Vardamsn appeared greatly
agitated. His voice faltered as he
spoke.
"The president" he said, lis just
discussing the situation with the sem
ators. He Is answering questions and
giving his views. So far as he dis
closed nothing has been done. The
president is feeling the pulse OF the
senate"
HAS he disclosed whether any
action has been taken as yet" the
senator was asked.
Nothing was said about any action
having been taken. The president out
lined the situation to US as It existed
when he left the cabinet meeting"
No Mention Of Session.
The senator added that there had
been no mention Of joint session OF
congress.
As senators passed in and out Of
the conferen .e room those ii the halls
caught glimpses OF an impressive
scene. The president, seated, was do
ing most of the talking and about him
stood 4 solemn group with folded
arms and bowed heads.
No Communication Sent.
Secretary Lansing said no com.
munication had yet been sent to Ger
many. He declined to be questioned
however, on whether any commune
cation had been sent TO Ambassador
Gerard.
Back OF the generally accepted view
which prevailed almost everywhere ~
official quarters that PRESIDENT WI,
son had decided upon his action and
that It probably. would be break IN
- 4 ~ A L.. IL u
diplomatic relations. even though de-