Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-16
MUST FREE SAILORS
YARROWCALE PRISONERS ARE
DEMANDED BY GOVERNMENT
REPORT REACHES U. S. ORDER
HAS BEEN COMPLIED WITH.
BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN
international News Service Stan
Correspondent

international News Service stan
Correspondent
Washington, d. c., Feb. l6.--The
United States awaits official confirma-
tion of the Berlin reports that the
YaIYowdale prisoners have been re-
leased This confirmation may take
considerable time in view Of the al
most complete isolation OF Germany
from the United States. In addition
it was admitted by State Department
officials today that inquiries have
been directed to Berlin to find out
the status of American consuls in Ger
many who have been reported IN
newspaper dispatches as detained.
This inquiry carries with 1t no de-
mand. 1t was explained that 1t wants
to find out first of all whether those
consuls actually still are in Berlin and
then why they are there. The next
step must of necessity depend upon
what this information shall divulge.
Meanwhile it was learned today
| that the peremptory demand for the
immediate freedom Of the Yarrowdale
prisoners was completed last night be-
fore the Berlin reports that such ac-
ton had been taken had reached here.
The demand already may have been
forwarded thru the Swiss Minister
here, and by him to the Berlin For
eign office from the Spanish Ambassa-
dor at Berlin. Should the men actu-
ally have been turned loose before 1t
arrives it may never be presented.
/ Inasmuch. however. as 1t sets forth IN
sharp language that reports OF deten-
ton of German subjects here and
/ their alleged i'll treatment are utterly
/ false. officials intmated that it might
! yet be considered good policy to de-
/ liver the note.
There is no desire on the part OF
/ officials here to question the truth or
! the reports that the Yarrowdale pris-
! oners have been released and that the
! AmericanBelgan relief work may be
continued 1t is realized that with
communication between here and Ber.
lin kept open under serious difficulty
that may take some time for the OFF,
cial word to get thru. But in view OF
the fact that the Yarrowdale prison.
ers originally were ordered freed
and afterward taken prisoner and that
Minister Whitlock dispatches fron
Brussels seem to take an unusually
long time to reach this city officials
decline to make any comment on the
situation at this time. One high offl-
cial OF the State Department declared
that he will not accept any word that
the Yarrowdale prisoners have been
released until they actually are report
ed on neutral soil.
Tension Is Releasing.
Washington, d. c., Feb. ia M.
terial lessening of the extreme tension
in the International situation was ap-
parent today. Germany action in or
dering the release of the Yarrowdale
prisoners and making material coAi-
cessions by which Minister Whitlock
can remain in Brussels and the Bel
gian relief be continued has pleased
oficialdom That the Yarrowdale was
on the verge of becoming situation
fraught with the most momentous cot
sequences now is admitted. But otti-
;. cals say that the release OF these
men indicates desire on the part OF
, Germany to placate America
in view Of the fact that two Amerl'
: can ships will be well within the pro-
libited zone by Sunday officials look
;. on the concessions just made as u
= hopeful event. 1t is hoped that there
' will be no sinking OF any OF the
American vessels now on the high
:. seas unless in the manner permitted
=! BY international law But it also Is
:, very freely admitted that in view OF
the German emperors order to the
navy that the submarines will stand
In the front rank in all operations
now on the danger of an overt act
must remain in force.
Reports Sailors Freed.
al Amsterdam, Feb. 16.--Germany has
re released the American seamen taken
i. into a German port on the prize ship
q, Yarrowdae says dispatch from
as Berlin today.
I'd The dispatch added that the men
$ probably will be sent out Of Germany
by way of Holland or Denmark
The Americans were among the
N crews of ships sunk or captured by
lr the raider Moewe. They are said To
number q.