Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-02-18
To Seek Power to Take Ac- tion Should Need Arise
 After Congress Quits.
ANXIOUS AS EVER
 TO AVOID CONFLICT
Better Feeling Prevails at Washing ton as Result of Departure of (On- SmlS From Germany, Turkeys At-
 titudc and Relations With Austria.

Washington, Feb. 1.-The advisa-
 bilit yof going before congress before
 the end of the present session on
 March !. to make certain that he will
 be clothed with sufficient power to
 protect American lives and property from the German submarine activi
 ties, was discussed by President Will
 son today, with members of the sen ate who were called into conference during brief visit to the capital 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 possibility that after the ad- iournment some sudden emergency might arise necessitating action be- fore congress could Ee called to- gcther again.
 The suggestion was made that con-
 gross might be asked to pass broad
 resolution authorizing the president
 to take any necessary measure for tho
 protection of American lives and
 property and avoiding specific stipu-
 lation as to how the protection should
 be afforded. 1t was indicated that Mr. Wilson remains as anxious as ever | to avoid war and that he gave no sug gestiOns that declaration of war is even considered by him at present in 1 connection with the possibility of the 1 request for additional authority Think Action Inevitable. The general feeling has been that | the submarine campaign will lead in- evitably to such violation Of Ameri-
 can rights as will require the further
 action forecast by the president 'n his address to congress two weeks ago. The president is understood to feel that when tho time comes the so- lution outlined in that address should
 be followed literally, and the steps
 taken should constitute an extension
 of further protection u American in- terests, rather than declaration of war.
 Officials were gratified at a mes-
 sage from Berne, saying that Ameri- can consuls in Germany would de-
 part early next week, but there was no evidence that the development | would lessen to any appreciable de- gree the tension between the two countries. IL has been pointed out that the overshadowing issue is the German submarine campaign, and that any other controversy must be
 considered as of minor consequence Turkey Aids Refugees.
 There also was much qualification
 here over reports from Ambassador
 Elkus at COnstantinople, saying that Turkey was arranging to facilitate the departure of several hundred
 American refugees at Beirut. Off, ficials regarded the news as an indi- 1 cation that the Ottoman government | was disposed not to break with tho United States if it could be avoided. There were no developments dur ing the day in the situation with Aus | tria, but some officials now are hope 1 full that the break with Germany will
 not be extended to he" allies.
 President Wilson's visit to the capt. | tol is understood to have been pri- 1 marily for the purpos, of discussing | the legislative program and to urge passage of administration bills dur :! ing the remaining two weeks. With l most of the senators, Lc did not talk | of the foreign situation and the im- 1 pressiOn gained ground that he did | not consider the emergency any more immediate than several days ago. 1t
 is known, however, that the con- | tinued holding of many vessels in | port is bound to be looked upon as a
 condition for which some remedy ] must be found.