Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-07
HOPE PREVENT
THE BREAK FROM
GROWING WIDER
Peaceful Attitude of German
Foreign Minister Indicates
that Hostilities May
Be Avoided.
REAL TEST YET TO COME
Steamship Eavestone On Which
American Sailor Was Killed
Probably Warship.
PREPARING FOR ACTION
REAL TEST YET TO COME
PREPARING FOR ACTION
Bulletin.

Washington, Feb. 6.-At the close
OF two hours cabient meeting today
it was indicated that nothing had
happende to change the position of
the American government in the sub
marine crisis. The State department
it was said has received no official
word that Germany might alter its
policy.
Reports made to the cabinet told
of rapid progress in carrying out pre-
cautionary measures directed by the
various departments.
Washington, Feb. 6.-Germany's
disposition to regard the break with
the United States with calmness and
delibcration and in peaceful spirit,
as expressed by Foreign Minister
Zimmerman, brings new encourage
ment to these who hope the breach
between the two countries will 60 no
further than severance OF diplomatic
relations.
The real test, however, comes on
the actual performance of the cam
paign of unrestricted submarine war
fare, and while all American officials
fervently share the hope that the
break will go no further, there is no
disposition to recede from the posi-
ton that American lives and rights
will be protected by whatever meas
ures are necessary.
Eavestone May Be Warship.
An official report of the sinking OF
the steamer Eavestone and the killing
OF an American seaman reached the
State department today from Con-
sui Frost at Queenstown. The ship
was provisional British collier.
Consul Frost's message said:
A Provisional British collier Eave-
stone sunk by shell fire from German
submarine in vicinity of Fastnet yes
terday February ~. American negro,
able seaman, Richard Wallace, of
Baltimore, killed during shelling of
boat after leaving Eavestone. Details
not yet available"
Consul. Frosts dispatch describing
the Eavestone as a provisional collier
leads to the suggestion that the de-
stroyed vessel might be classed as
a warship. If at the time of the sink
ing the Eavestone was in admiralty
service, no possibility of trouble with
Germany on that score opens up.
Ambassador Page has been in
strartat 10 eead -, furtbar 1at,,ie
In any case officials say it is doubt
full il any inquiry will be addressed
to Berlin.
The work of preparing for eventu-
alities went steadily forward today in
all branches of 1.-The government.
Three emergency amendments to
the naval bill were presented to the
house by Chairman Padgett of the
naval committee after conferences
with administration officials. They
propose;
Issue of $l5O,0O0,00O OF 3 per cent
five year bonds to cover cost of quick
delivery OF ships and war supplies, in
cluding more submarines, destroyers
and ammunition.
Appropriation of 81 100000 for pur-
chase of basic patents for manufac-
ture of air craft.
Blanket authority to the president
and secretary of the navy to order
ships or war materials from any plant
within the limits Of appropriations;
to take possession of any plants that
refuse to give the government prece-
dence and to draft employees OF pri
vate plants into the naval establish
ment.
The War department put its quar-
termaster's agent into the market to
bring reserve stores up to the maxi
mum supply at once, ..