The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-02-21
j. s. CONTINUES
WAITING POLICY
PRESIDENT WILSON EXPECTED
TO TAKE GERMAN CRISIS BE-
FORE CONGRESS AGAIN.
RELEASE IL u. S. SAIL RS
Tension Is Relieved When Germany
Gives Freedom to YarrowdsIe
Decentralization Break
May Be Averted.

May Be AVerted.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 1.-THE
American government continues it's
waiting policy toward Germany's sub
marine warfare although it is taken
for granted in all quarters that Presi-
dent Wilson will go before congress
on the situation before adjournment,
March 4, and ask for full power to act
!n the protection Of American life and
property.
The confident belief that this action
will be taken is based on the knowl-
edge that the president wishes to avoid
calling an extra session Of congress
If possible. and the reiterated declara-
tons Of members of the administra-
ton that the present conditions under
which most of the American ships in
overseas trade have been frightened
into cancelling sailing dates can not
be permitted to continue.
The small number of vessels sunk
by submarines within the last few days
Is attracting no little attention. Off
Gals always point out, however, that
this does not alter the fact that
through fear of the consequences
American ships and many of those Of
other nationalities are remaining in
port.
YarroWdaIe Prisoners Freed.
Washington, Feb. 16-News of the
release of the Yarrowdale prisoners by
the German government last night as
founded the administration. Secretary
of State Lansing and other officials
fatty refused to discuss the situation.
1t was apparent, however, that the re-
lease of the seventy-two American citi-
zens would serve to palliate to a great
extent the present strained interna-
tional situation. For forJy-eight hours
the fate of the Americans in the Teu-
tonic countries had displaced the sub
marine warfare issue as the prime
factor in the German crisis.
The official information that the Var
rowdale prisoners had been released
gave official Washington assurance
that the safety of American citizens in
the countries of all the Teutonic allies
could be assured.
Lower U. S. Flag at Brussels.
The breaking of diplomatic relations
has cut off practically entire communi-
cation with Minister Brand Whitlock
at Brussels, Belgium. Secretary of
State Lansing said that at the request
of the German government Whitlock
had lowered the flag over the Ameri-
can embassy at Brussels and had
ceased all diplomatic activity. 1t was
pointed out that this was in accord
with the breaking of relations. Ger
many has refused to allow Whitlock
to communicate with Washington in
his diplomatic code and such com
munications as the department has re-
ceived from him have not been clear.
1t is probable that as soon as Minister
Whitlock can leave Brussels he will go
TO the temporary Belgian capital at
Havre.
The state department is having diff
Guilty in communicating with represen-
tatiyes in Austria, Bulgaria and Tur-
key. Nothing has been heard from
the consular officials who remained in
Germany when Ambassador Gerard
left for Berne Ambassador Elkus at
ConstantinopIe has reported that he is
unable to communicate with consular
officials due to war conditions.
Relief Workers to Remain.
News of Germany's retraction of her
order forcing the American members
of the Belgian relief committee to
leave Belgium and northern France
was received by state department Off
Gals and by Herbert G. Hoover, chair
man of the commission, with both sur
prise and pleasure. Apart from a brief
telegram from Brand Whitlock saying
negotiations of some sort were under
way, neither the department nor Mr..
Hoover had any official adYices On The
subject.
May Avert Austrian Break.
Vienna, Feb. 19.-Despite the fact
that some of the newspapers are TAX
ing a gloomy view of Austro-American
relations, and the situation brought
about by the severing of relations be
tween the United States and Germany,
official circles in Vienna are inclined
to believe that the situation is not en-
tirely hopeless. This also is the view
of Frederic c.. Penfeld, the American
ambassador, who is doing everything
possible to assist in reaching a friend
" solution of the situation.
The Austro-Hungarian government
remains in almost total ignorance of
what measures are needed in order to
meet the views of President Wilson
~~-~~-~~~~~~Oo~o~~~~o
German-Austrian Bazaar Postponed.
Milwaukee-The bazaar for the
benefit of German and Austrian war
sufferers, which was to have been held
in May, has been postponed indefinite
~ because of the severance of rela
tons between the United States and
Germany.
Chicago Guards Many Bridges.
Chicago, In-Chicago's. forty-fouI
bridges, valued at S20,000,000 were or