Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-20
(BY Associated Press. J

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE advisa-
bility of going. before congress before
the end of the present session, March
4, to make certain that he be clothed
with sufficient power to protect Amer
lean lives and property from German
submarine activities was discussed by
President Wilson today with members
of the senate whom he called into con-
ference during a brief visit to the cap
itol.
Afterwards it was indicated that the
president had not made up his mind
on the question, but had such a step
under consideration because Of the pos
sibility that after adjournment some
sudden emergency might arise necessi-
tating action before congress could be
called together again.
ANXIOUS TO AVOI DHER.
The suggestion was made that con-
gress might be asked to pass a broad
resolution authorizing the president to
take any necessary measures for the
protection of American rights, and
avoiding specific stipulations as to how
the protection should be afforded. 1t
was indicated that Mr. Wilson remained
as anxious as ever to avoid war, and
that he gave no suggestion that a dec
laration of war, which congress alone
can make, is even considered by him
bility of a request for additional au-
thority.
The general feeling here has been
that Germany's submarine campaign
sooner or-later will lead inevitably to
such violation of American rights as
will require the further action forecast
by the president in his address to con-
gress two weeks ago. The president is
understood to feel that when the time
~.
dress should be followed out literally,
and the steps taken, should constitute
an extension of further protection to
American interests rather than a dec
laration of war.
MUCH GRATEFUL.
Officials were much gratified at a
message from Berne today saying the
American consuls remaining in Ger
many, for whom some concern had been
felt, would depart early next week, but
there was no evidence that the devel
opment would lessen to an appreciable
degree the tension between the two
countries. 1t has been pointed cut that
the overshadowing issue is the German
submarine campaign, and that any other
controversy must be considered as of
minor consequence.
There also was much qualification
here over a report from Ambassador
Elkus. at Constantinople, saying that
Turkey was arranging to facilitate the
departure of the several hundred Amer
lean refugees at Beirut. Officials re-
garded the news as an indication that
the Ottoman government was disposed
not to break with the United States if
it could be avoided. there were no de-
velopments during the day in the situa-
ton with Austria. but some. of these
are now hopeful that the> break with
Germany will not be extended to any of
her allies.
President Wilson's visit to the CAPT
toll is understood to have been pr-
marily for the purpose of discussing
with senator's the legislative program.
and to urge passage of various admin
istration bills during the remaining two
weeks of the session. With most of
the senator's seen he did not talk of
the foreign situation, and the impress
sion gained ground among some of them
that he did not consider the emergency
any more Immediate than he did several
days ago. 1t is known. on the other
hand. that the continued holding of yes
sells in port has come to be looked upon
here as a condition for which some rem
edy must be found.
If the president decided to go before
congress again before the end of the
present session he is expected to point
to this dislocation of shipping. Chair
man simmons. of the senate finance
committee, was one of the senator's who
talked with the president today, ad as a
result IT is understood that in case con-
gressional action is found advisable
provision for necessary expenditures
will also be made.
Just before going to the capitol the
president paid a brief visit to Secretary
Baker at the war department and while
Il was thought possible that they dis
cussed universal military training, the
secretary would make no statement.
TURKEY FRIENDLY.
The report from Berne regarding the
departure of the Americans in Germany
said they probably would leave for
Switzerland Tuesday. The exact date
Of the departure had not been set. the
message said, but cOnsuls coming from
that direction have been ordered TO pro-
coed from Munich. 1t is expected that
a large number of Americans left in
Germany will leave with the consuls.
state department officials character
! lied very, friendly the communication
! from Constantinople concerning the
/ Americans at Beirut. 1t is said the two
/ American relief ships Caesar and Des
Moines which have been lying at Alex
/ andria for a long time. would be given
an opportunity TO proceed at once to
Syria and not only distribute their food
supplies but bear away the American
refugees there.
To facilitate the relief work. the Tur-
kish authorities also have voluntarily
educed the period which had been pre-
scribed as the length of quarantine for
the outgoing Americans.