The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-06
Expect Answer to Diplomatic
Break Within "a Hours.
General Belief Is Germany VIII
Go the Limit.
ALIGNING NEUTRALS WAR ACT
Germany Could Base Action on
Presidents Move.
Wilson Determined No Act OF
u. S. Shall Start 1t.

washington. D. C. Feb. Ger
rnany's answer to President Wilson
notice of a diplomatic break is eX-
pected within twenty-four hours. II
may be a declaration of war.
Belief is rapidly crystallizing among
officials that this final step is newt
able and it would cause no surprise
If Germany took it now. This belet
was strengthened by receipt OF Ser
lin press dispatches quoting Foreign
Minister zimmerman as saying there
is no step backward" contemplated
following president Wilson's action.
Also. it was recalled today thau iaS'
snring when the Sussex SINKING
threatened a diplomatic break Am
bassador Won Bernstorff said such
break would result in an immediate
decla ration of war by Germany
At +he same time President wilson
told members of the foreign relations
committee that he had been 'rella-
blv informed" actual war would fol-
low break
Won Bernstorff recently reiterated
his former statement:
killing American Intcnsifics Crisis.
Possible action of this kind by Ger
many took precedence in the dlscus-
sion Of officials today, even over the
London admiralty atatement report
ing the killing of an American cltlzeh
Nv a German submarine gun Ac-
cording 20 the admin atty report, tlch-
ard Wallace of Baltimore, was killed
bv U-boat shellfire while leaving the
British steamer Eavestone in small
boat s-~ as,,s e. ~,
international situation more acute,
pending Investigation.
should Germany make the war de-
cision, some officials believe she Will
base her declaration on President
Wilson's active efforts to align all
neutral governments in break
Some officials, however, in spite of
the German declarations to the con-
trary. believe she may modify her
JT-boat campaign before a greater
crash results
Wilson Guards Against War.
While waiting the step which may
mean war. the president is determined
that this government shall make no
move not fully and literally justified
by the laws of nations and humanity;
that nothing shall be done for mere
eXpediency that might merit a re-
proach from any nation, even Ger
many.
Meanwhile the government moved
rapidly on inaugurating, completing
and perfecting details of war prep
aration
Cabinet Meeting Today.
Every fundamentally at the direc-
ton of the president, congress and the
departments were used toward getting
all arms of the nations defense
strengthened and equipped for their
first gigantic service since the Spanish
American VS."
The president this afternoon is to
meet with his cabinet and canvass the
situation-what has been done and
what is being planned toward mobiliz-
ing the tremendous resources of the
country for threatened war.
Congress was ready to authorize the
raising of any sum needed.
The senate is expected today to vote
n resolution of confidence in the pres
ident and the house will follow. The
upper body would have done it yes
terday except for parliamentary tech
nicality. Under the rigid senate rules
the stone endorsement resolution is up
today.
Departments Act in Secrecy.
With machine' like precision, adj
Visory committees in all branches of
the national defense work are sub
hitting reports to President Wilson.
Secretaries Baker and Daniels
The greatest effort is now being
centered upon the navy
1t is probable that work on some of
the giant vessels will be stopped in
order to hasten completion of sub
marines and vessels for opposing sub
marine attack.
So completely and quickly is the
work proceeding that if the United
States is called on to strike. it can do
so Immediately and forcefully.
A policy of almost complete secrecy
mas been adopted in all departments
and for the second time in two years
the president today discontinued con-
ferences with newspapermen, owing
to a delicate situation.
Neutral action in response to Pres
ident Wilson was expected TODAY in
some countries. Should it develop that
neGtrals approve the action of the
United States, it is probable a confer
ence OF all of them will be called to
bringing pressure on Germanv 10 ra-
lax its warfare