Iditarod pioneer., 1917-02-24
DECLARATION OF WAR
 EXPECTED ANY MOMENT

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22.-Ofcias do not dis xui.e the fact that the German situation IS dall, growing sraver, and that if orders have not beer issued to prevent any overt act. only miracle car prevent war.
 President Wilson has partially decided to appea before congress to ask for additional authority te protect America seamen and ships against German submarines. While there is bare chance that he will not carry out the pan there is every indication that he will make the address th. week or early week
 Only the President and Secretary Daniels know the whereabout, of the United States heet.
 Next Few Day. Should Tell the Tale
 WASHINGTON, Feb 20-Because there is a .eri GU, doubt in the mind of President Wilson regarding the real intentions of the officials who arc directing the German submarine activities. action has vel been taken relative to the ship blockade of American ports, The President believes that the next few day: will show how far Germany intends to press hostile measures against neutrals.
 The administration is urging upon congress the importance of the immediate and complete fornhca ton of the Panama canal and islands m the vicinity and also the naturalization of all Porto Rcans. The administration espionage bill providing for severe penalty for spying on United States defenses and fol conspiraces to violate American neutrality, passec she senate today
 To Avoid Reeouse to War
 Secretary of State Lansing and Attorney General Gregory appeared before the senate judiciary com snittee today and asked the passage of bill which would give the President power to handle the inter. national situation without recourse to war; The bill would empower the President to employ the lane snd naval force: to enforce compliance with anc prevent violation of the obligations of the United State. under the law of nations
 Secure Service. of Eminent Eaginsers
 WASHINGTON Feb. 17.-The greatest single stcp in the national military preparedness program va. announced today by the war department in the appointment to be signal officers in the reserve corps of Eve leading electrical engineers. The worlds live larse. telegraph telephone and electrical companie: have siven their chief executive. to the nation anc organized and ofcered their men to become reserv' l.ts in the signal corps.
 The Yanowdals Prisoners
 WASHINGTON. Feb 22.-An Amsterdam ds. patch reports that message from Berlin again re- port, that the Yarrowdale prisoners have been re. leased peremptory demand for the release o1 the American prisoners from the Yarrowdale ha: been sent to the German government. The state de. p.rtment. in announcing last Monday that Secretar, lansing had dispatched the demand on Saturda, last, added that late on Sunday the department hae received word from Berlin. presumably from the Spanish ambassador. that the prisoners would be released shortly"
 Au,tria's Po,itioa Mast Be Made Known
 WASHINGTON. Feb. 2I-The United States ha: demanded Austria. answer as to whether she pro pose. to abide by the assurances given this govern ment after the sinking of the Ancona and Persia UNITED STATES Is CONFRONTED WITH
 WHAT AMOUNTS TO PRACTICAL BLOCKADE
 WASHINGTON. Feb. l7.-A great steel net wa put in place at the entrance to New York harbor to day. and what amounts to virtually blockade O American Atlantic ports by German submarines i regarded by officials as overshadowing the colatera issue, of the situation That President Wilson wil soon 30 before congress to announce steps to re cve the situation is the generally accepted view, bu
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