The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-01
Only Course Apparent for
President Wilson if Ger
many Sticks to Her
Purpose.
SUSSEX NOTE THREAT
Violation Of Pledges Was to be Fol
lowed by severenoe Of Diplomatic
Relations, Meaning
Probable War.
[By Robert J. Bender, United Press
STAFF Correspondent

GBy Robert ]. Bender, United Press
staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1-Ultima-
tum to Germany or an immediate
break with her-that was what
y,a shington believed today would be
Fl esident Wilson's course following
the announced intent to strike, unre-
grained ut shipping in big barred
area.
The president himself had not an
nounced his course. and In these cir
cumstances onlcials and internA-
tional experts recalled that he has
/ always held that war or a break
must be avoided up TO the last ditch.
| The present situation appeared to
be the last ditch But officials were
not certain Wilson would so regard
It.
II he follows his Sussex note
threat, he will break with Germany.
| it WAS declared.
That threat was to sever relations
| if Germany violated her pledges.
| Germany now has served notice
that she will break them and scatter
them to the winds.
There Is no time for long thought.
The new, gigantic war started last
midnight, though neutral shipping
has a few days grace.
While the break or the ultimatum
holding Germany accountable under
penalty Of a break-seemed to many
to be the logical course. authorities
pointed out that the president has
these courses Of action open, IN ad-
dition:
He night await an act involving
American rights or lives.
frI, 10 nlirk m0va 70 get
a relaxation of the British starvation
blockade and modification of Ger
many's new move.
He might make a big eleventh hour
peace move intended to call halt
IT, hostilities.
Either of the last two courses,
however, appeared to be too daring
a stroke to have prospect of success
a, this late hour.
The president is said to still feel
he should follow the idea Of mo
war" in so far as the CAN can be
answered honorably. But few per-
sons in authority believe break In
diplomatic relations can mean other
than war.
Officials recalled today the pres1-
dents past warlike warnings-"the
sparks are flying" Secretary
Lansing's Verge of war" comment
December 21 last.
officials admitted today they have
seen the possibilities Of these hints
coming through and 1t ls heneved
they had some advance knowledge
of German intent "to cut loose IL
peace maneuvers failed
Allied sources claimed to have
known it for three months and to
have prepared armament for 1t.
The president conferred today with
his personal advisor, Col E. M. House
who fastened here secretly over night.
1t was explained the lid would be kept
on congressional discussion for the
moment-if possible-and that as
promptly as possible, the president
would consult Chairman Stone, of the
senate foreign committee and others
high in his councils, including Secre-
tary Lansing-and perhaps his full
cabinet. ..-
The president studied the German
war note alone all last evening and
Colonel House was booked as his
first caller today. With him he was
in canvass the whole situation.
Germany's historic move is regard
ed as an act of people, willing to
risk the antagonism of the whole
world in the final effort to win by ap-
plying starvation means that-in dlf-
ferent form-has been applied to her
Officials see in it desperation, bred
of economic suffering.
This governments peace sugges-
tions and the fear of a break with
Germany have been interviewer.
The allied reply to peace overtures
turned the scales. While regarded
here as leaving the peace door open,