El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-05
DON 7 BLAME j. 8.
FOR WAR WILSON
President Says If U. S. Is
Forced to Fight, Germany
Is to Blame.
Continued from pnge IL


statement denying reports that seizure
0r German war bound merchant ships
in American harbors is contemplated
l. was explained. however. that steps
have been taken 10 prevent the Oh
struction Of harbO by the blowing Up
or sinking Of any OF these vessels This
action is prompted by reports that Ger
man crews have attempted to damage
a number Of war bound ships in Phil
ippine harbors and in several Ameri-
can ports, notably the burning Of the
small interned cruiser Geicr in Homo
lulu harbor Sunday.
The department Of justice also is
laking secret preparations for fore
stalling depredatiOns which German
sympathizers might commit on NUM-
ton factories or public works In
Washingto on, the capitol and state, war
and navy DulloiRES are closed 10 NlSr-
tors and carefully guarded and add
tOnal police have been placed about
the white house
Secretaries Baker and Daniels con-
ferred Sunday with bureau chiefs and
plans are under discussion for calling
out navy reserve officers and OF grid
uatinE the senior class at Annapolis
10 meet any emergency conditions
Outlets Separate Peace Talk.
With relations severed and the coun-
try preparing to meet the next step rs
It comes officials are rejecting now
upon the situation as II affects the
cause Of peace and the situation Of the
belligerents. themselves
1t seems to be accepted that the ac-
tiOn Of the United States viii tend
to hold the entente allies faster to
gether than ever before and deter talk
Of a separate peace. II seems to be
accepted too. that the rupture definite
" removes the United States as the
worlds peace maker and from the
German point Of view brings forward
king Alfonso Of Spain Curiously
enough. the German am bassadOr. count
Won Bernstorff. several months ago
cd r.Hafnn
not president Wilson. but the king Of
Spain. would be the man 20 bring peace
to the world
Should il eventuate that all other
neutrals accepted the presidents suE-
gestion that they sever diplomatic
relations with Germany. the voice for
peace would have 10 come from the
Vatican.
Count Won Bernstorff the German
ambassador here continued his prep
arariCns for turning over the embassy
to the Swiss minister. I-- Ritter and
for leaving the country The state
department is endevoring 10 secure
from the entente allies a safe return
for the ambassador and his suite
What VIII Germany Do.
It IS not impossible thar the present
situation viii continue several days
before there are any evidences of o
whether Germany intends 10 halt her B.
campaign OF ruthlessuess before pres .
ident wilson's final demand for re-
she viii follow out her plan and take E.
the consequences
Besides breaking off diplomatic re- /
lations with Germany, president VIII .
son has made q bold stroke 10 range d..
the moral force CT all other neutral
countries along with that Of The United .
States in the interest Of peace
The president suggested to all other .
neutrals that they break off diplomatic
relations with Germany as the United .
States has done and has instructed all
American diplomats in those countries .
to report Immediately how the suEEeS-
ton IS received The opinion in diplO- .
matte quarters here is that European .
neutrals at the very doorstep OF Ger
many, threatened 10y her military power.
will hesitate TO take such a step. The .
effect Of the suggestion IN other coun- (
tries is being awaited
German Act OF bravery.
News that the American steamer .
had not been sunk without .
proper warning and that no lives had
been lost dispelled a cloud which
threatened the storm TO follow the first
overt act against the United States
under the new war zone order
The advices regarding the Housa-
tonic were that the crew was removed
IN small boats. the steamer blown W
and the crew tOwed toward shore TO g.
a point where a British patrol boat
was sighted. Then the submarine fired
shots TO attract the British ships at
-ention and then disappeared. The
crew of the Housat0nic was taken in .
charge by the patrol boat This was
agreed upon by officials here
10 be an act Of herOism on the part
II the German submarine meriting
-ommendation-