New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
President and Advisers
Disagree on Arming
of u. S. Ships
BERLIN DENIES
HOLDING CONSULS
Austrian Break Delayed to
Protect Americans in
Teuton Countries
By STEVENSON H. EVANS

Washington. Feb. 16.-For the
moment the United States and the
German Empire appear to be almost
united in object. AS long as the
Kaiser insists on the prosecution OF
the sea terrorism which ne has de-
clared. both governments realize the
eventual impossibility of averting
war. At the same time both are IN
dicating an anxiety to extend as mucn
as possible the twilight zone between
peace and war.
II must be understood-and the
highest officials of the American gov
ernment do understand-that Ger
many, convinced that the outbreaK
of hostilities is only a question OF
time. is now actuated by single
nurpose: To throw upon the United
States the onus of declaration oil
war.
At the conclusion of the Cabinet
meeting this afternoon it was agreed
that the situation had not altered
greatly in three days. Only two
ouestions were debated, and Mr..
Wilson'S official advisers left the
White House with much the same
differences of opinion as when they
left it on Tuesday. =. l4.z., ..s..S
a Reach No Decision
The two questions discussed were
the arming OF American ships and
this country's relations with Aus
tria The President and CABINET
r,or,hers reached no conclusion on
either question.
This does not mean, however, tnat
tbe American government is without
nolicv As a matter Of fact, in
Inmates of the President say, the
mind Of the Administration IS very
G,n,lv made up, and the future
course of the United States is den
r;telv outlined. 1t is a course that
leads straight to war unless 'er-
manv withdraws the declaration OF
frightfulness and renews the Sussex
pledges. ..uo,od
The Austrian break will be postponed
lang "a possible. The chief reason
Cor this is the situation OF the thou'
.ords Of Americans, who, as far as TINS
government knows. are at the mercy ol
Tho Turks and Bulgarians when me
hroak comes with Austria severance OF
d;,Iomatic relations with Turkey ana
Rulcaria will be announced at the same
.i,o There is hardly any doubt that
. break with all three powers is coming
quickly.
Would Delay Overt Act
The hesitation in supplying guns for
Inori.an merchantmen now lying idly
q, THAR docks, while export freight has
piled UP mountain high in all seaooard
citiss. is due TO the desire not to hasten
the overt act which will mean war. II
= on this question of time that the
,camb.rs Of the Cabinet have a differ
ence of opinion.
nosn,ae The constantly rising MUIR
--,,. from tho paoifst Middle West be-
,sus. American ships are being held IN
mort bv German terrorism. the ADMIN
i,,rat,on !, inclined to keep on all the
L,ak.s which il can control. COM
ror,son vss made to-day In govern
msnt circles, between the situation now
confronting President wilson and that
which contropted william Mckinley IN
1898. The ba.tleship Maine was blown
M on February l5., nineteen years ago
yesterday. II was two months before
Congress declared war.
Consuls Are Free
~bs Administration recognizes the
Gsngsr OF representing tins govern,
mont TO IT'S people as inclined to hrst
b,ov hot and then blow cold toward
Germany. That danger IS acce'era'eu
by the apparently deliberate purpose
ot Germany 20 tighten the tension ana
then let it down -,
/ DnaYa are W
demonstr.te this purpose. Gerard was
held roy few days. vtrtuaily prs
omar. Then be was permitted 70 de-
part There is the incident Of the
Yarrowdsle prisoners.
The American oonsuls In Germany
bav. been held up in their exit from
Germanv almost until to-day. Now
me report comes that they are being
nerrnitted n depart. The American
rshsf commission was ordered to leave
Belgium az once. Now comes The news
tbat that order Is suspended.
J Newspaper dispatches from eerllh
ar. all thai tho State Department now
has as evidence that Germany has de-
cided to release the YarroTdale prs
oner, Il is assumed that the press
telegram IS entirely correct.
4 The department has sent inquiries 70
Berlin also concerning the reported De
tention OF American consular oFhcers'
A late report TO day was that they were
being held merely until all Ameriesns 1''
leaving Germany could be assembled IN N
one trsinload No further action "ill
he taken in respect TO them until II Is