davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
California Sunk, No Warning;
American Peace Hope Fades;
Protection Denied to ST. Louis
State Department Suggests Arm.
ing Merchant Vessels

The American Line, owner Of the st. Louis, re
cered this message from Secretary Of State Lansing
yesterday in ANSWER to appeal for adcce on Wheh
the st. Louis should sail
The government cannot give advice to private per-
whether not their merchant vessels should
sail voyages to European ports by which they would
be compelled to pass through waters delimted in the
declaration issued by the German government on Janu
airy 81, 1917.
It. however asserts that the rights of American
vessels to traverse all parts of the high seas are the
same now they prior to the issuance of the Ger
man declaration and that neutral merchant vessel
may if its owners believe that it is liable to be unlaw
fully attacked take any necessary measures to prevent
or resist such attacks.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Plot to Blow Up
Brooklyn Bridge
Revealed in Note
German Conspiracy Alleged as
Detectives Are Rushed to
Guard Structure

The police guarded the Brooklyn
Bridge by land and water last night.
Following the receipt at Headquar-
ters of an anonymous letter telling OF
an alleged German plot to blow up the
structure some time last evening
tyenty-four detectives we're assigned
to roadways Of the bridge, the police
boats Of Harbor A were ordered TO
watch over the span from the river and
precincts near either terminus were
told 20 look out for the plotter. -,
A man VINO signed himself "A Friend
Of the People OF the U. 5. A. sent the
warning TO "Tne World" yesterday
morning, and l. was immediately re-
ferred 10 Commissioner Woods. 1t
resd :,
Dear Sir: Please tell some one-l
don't know who to tell--that the Brook
lyn Bridge is to be blown up tomorrow
night Wednesday. | heard plans
made in a hotel at Third Avenue and
Fourteenth Street. ] am a German.
but cannot see this thing done.
Please see that this is looked out for.
This is true, and the man who will do
the Job will be dressed in black and
have "A soft hat on. Please. for the
peoples sake. do this.
Joseph Butler, Headquarters re-
porter, brought the letter to the at
tention of Commissioner Woods, who
Immediately called Deputy Commits
sioner Cooley, Captain Deevy, of the
First Branch, and Captain Tunney, Of
the bomb squad, into conference with
him.
Detectives on the bridge were in
structed TO inspect all persons carry
ing bundles and TO examine all auto
mnhilas that crossed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
California Left Here
January 20; 215 on Board

The liner California, sunk yesterday
of Ireland, was bound from New York
to Glasgow. She sailed from New FORK
January 20 and carried thirty-ons pss-
sengers and a crew Of 1874 oficers and
men.
Advices TO the local ofices stated
that there were $50 survivors ALREADY
accounted for, leaving hfty-hve in
doubt. Details 81 the catastrophe are
lacking as we'll a. the names Of those
saved. II has not been stated whether
the California vas sunk By a mine or
torpedo.
The California left here armed with
a 4.s-inch navai gun mounted on heI
stern, which had an effective range q.
seven miles. Although impossible to
obtain a manifest from the Custom
House yesterday evening. it was sale
that the California carried q large gen
cral cargo. including war supplies and
some ammunition.
At the offices Of the line James
Riley, general passenger agent, said
that all the passengers were either
British o. Canadian subjects. From
tho British shipping commissioner the
information was obtained that only
fou- members Of the crew were shipped
at this mort. all of whom were British
subjects.
The California was built in Glasgow
by d. W. Henderson & Son IN 1907.
She was twin screw steel ana ~o's
constructed vessel Of s,es2 tons gross
40 feet lorg and So feet ineh"
beam. She was commanded oy Zap
tain John L. Hendersoc, with wilma"
F. Alger, D. Ethrington and W. hen'V
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Curious Crowds
Hunt Zeppelins
Along Park Row
Many, Deceived by Skyscraper's
Marble Soldiers, Crane Necks
Under Bridge Shed

They're looking for zeppelins," said
one old man who stood in the shelter
Of the bridge structure across Park Row
last night. He spoke with difficulty,
for he was bending so far back that his
Adams apple" was the most salient
feature in his profile.
"See the soldiers on top OF the Park
Row Building" he continued, noarsely.
'"They're watching for zeppelins."
"And aireyoplanes," amended young
woman who, in her endeavors to watch
the entire sky above her. had contorted
her figure into reverse Of the "debu-
tante SLOUGH"
Jaw. forget il and go home" said
Traffic Patrolman Fisher. hopelessly.
"Your suppers are getting cold and
you're all getting cricks in your necks.
You oughta have better sense.
"For the last three nights he con-
tinued in evaporation, there's gang
that stands mere from 5 till it's too
dark 10 see watching for Zeppelins.
They think that the statues on top OF
the Park Row Building are soldiers.
And New Workers call other burgs 'hick
towns"
Each night from the time that the
downtown Offices begin to close until
the tops OF the skyscrapers fade away
into the darkening sky the Zeppelin
squad" is in session.
Only two qualifications are necessary
for membership-the ability TO gaze
upward for protracted space, with
ones backbone bent into the shape Of a
question mark. and a gullible disposi-
tion, which will allow you to believe
that the four colossal statues about the
top OF the Park Row Building are SOL
diers awaiting hostile aircraft.
Given these two attributes, you may
ioin the little group of serious sky
gazers which annoys Pstrolman Fisher
nightly and have all the thrills Of
Antwerp before the bombardment.
Last night" Patrolman Fisher eX-
plained resignedly. two men had a
foht right over there. One Of them
said that the light above the Tribune
building was an airship. The other
said that IL was the evening star. The
aIr.hip guy was winning when stopped
them. He had the crowd with him"
DRINK DIR. BRUsH's KUMYss AND Bl
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Envoy and Americans
Can't Leave Until
BernStorff Is Safe
JNTERNED SAILORS
RETURN SOUGHT
Ambassador Here Blocks
Sailing by Refusal to
Pass Through Britain

Berlin. Feb. 6 (via London, Feb.
1.-THE Foreign Office thus far has
received no definite information in
regard to the former German Am
bassador at Washington, Count Won
Bernstorff. which probably must ar
rive before the details of Ambassa-
dOr Gerard's departure can be de-
eided. Mr. Gerard has not yet re-
eciyed his passports, and does not
know when he will depart, although
he has decided upon the route via
Switzerland. The Spanish Embassy
todav took charge of the affairs of
the American Embassy here.
"The Ne7c York Times" this morn
;rg prints the folloCing special
cable:
Copenhagen. Feb. IL am au-
thorized by the American Legation
TO say that Minister Egan to-day re-
ceived several sensational dispatches
from Ambassador Gerard.
"The latter telegraphs that the
German authorities will not permit
Americans to leave Germany at pres
ent. He says that he, his staff and
all American consular officials will
he detained until the fate of Count
von Bernstorff and the crews of the
German ships interned in America
has been decided.
"The German authorities are de-
nying Mr.. Gerard the right to tele-
graph in code. All correspondence
with the Copenhagen Legation is
row in plain English.
Ambassador Gerard advised
Minister Egsn that the sailors capt
r-ed on the Yarrowdale will be de-
..lned on the same grounds as the
other Americans"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Wilson Waits All Facts
Before Taking Final
Step
CAPITAL FEARS
IT is OVERT ACT
Congressmen Aroused by
California Sinking-Will
Back President
By STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington. Feb. 7.-Officials who
learned tonight of the details Of
the sinking without warning of the
Anchor liner California, gave up
hope of maintaining much longer the
present relations with Germany. She
is the first big passenger steamer to
be torpedoed since the Arabia was
sunk in the Mediterranean months
ago.
1t was hardly two hours after
President Wilson had directed the
Secretary of State to notify the
American Line that it must protect
its own ships from the peril of Ger
man frightfulness az sea that the
shocking news came. Washington
shivered. Administration officials
betrayed the greatest alarm and ap-
prehension.
Was it an American ship? Were
Americans on board? How many
were dead? Did the submarine give
the innocent victims a single chance
for their lives? These and score
of other questions poured into the
newspaper Offices. and the State De-
partment besieged the cable offices
for quick action in transmitting off
cial reports.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Senate Backs Wilson, rs to S,
In" Preliminary War MoUe'
MRS. PENFIELD ENDS
AUSTRIAN RELIEF WORK

Vienna. Feb. Mrs. Frederic
c. Penheld, wife Of the American
Ambassador, yesterday closed the
workshop where for thirty months,
a, her own expense, were produced
millions of bandsge, and wound
dressings. an efor, TO which the
late Emperor Francis Joseph gave
hi, recognition by conferring on
Mrs. Pen6eld high order.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Ready to Declare Act
ual Hostilities if
President Asks
II,orc Tie II hnns Buresn ]

Washington, Feb. THE United
States Senate stands ready tonight
to give the President a declaration OF
war against Germany whenever ne
thinks the conditions warrant 1T. This
WAS uneouivocally demonstrated to-day
when the Senate. by a vote OF 10 to .,
indorsed the Presidents action IN
breaking off diplomatic relations with
Germany. In the debate which pre-
ceded the vote on the Stone resolution
the measure was characterized by both
friend and foe as preliminary dec
laration of war"
The character Of the debate gave 20
tho vote a Significance far beyond the
mere meaning of the words in the res
oJution itself. The resolution approved
the faction taken BY the President, as
set forth in his address delivered be
fore the Joint session Of the Congress
Ready TO Take Next Step
The resolution specifically called at
t,ntion also to the announcement of
the President that if in his judgment
occasion should arise for further action
on the part Of the government, he
would submit the matter 70 Congress
and ask authority to use such means
as he might deem necessary Tor the
protection of Americans IN the prose
cution Of their peaceful and legitimate
errands on the high seas. IL was this
reference in the resolution-which no
attempt was made TO expunge by
smendnent--that caused the character
ization Of il as preliminary declara-
tion Of war"
Passing the resolution. therefore, the
Senate dem nonstrated its Willingness TO
follow the President to the length OF
using the armed forces of the country
to protect its rights on the high seas
or. in short, 20 declare war.
Senators who voted against the res
olution were:
Democrats: Kirby. of Arkansas, and
Vardsman, Of Mississippi; Republi-
cars: Gronna, North Dakota: Works.
California, and La Toilette, Wisconsin
Senator Kirby made his first address
70 the Senate an impassioned declara-
tion that he would not support the
resolution.
Plunging Nation Into War
4 regard it as a preliminary declara-
tion of war" he said, III the resolution
is voted upon fsvorsbly to-day. DO
not believe the time has come in the
history Of this country when we shall
side with Germany or with the Allies.
The time has not come. in my opinion,
when we should commit ourselves by
the adoption Of this resolution TO any
policy that the President may hereafter
pursue.
Under the Constitution and the law
ne has no power 20 declare war, but he
has in fact the power 10 plunge the ma
tion into war and 10 make ~ necessary
Continued on page 3. colsmn
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Lansing Tells Ship Lines
ToTake Care of Themselves
BRITAIN OPENS LANES
OF SAFETY TO SHIPS

London, Feb. Lord Curzon,
Lord Presiden, Of the Council, an
nounced at the opening Of Parha-
men, to-day ,ha, the Admiralty
wa, Organizing sea lane, Of safety
through the U-bost danger zones
for both British and neutral ,hl-
ping. A, the same time, he said,
Britain was adding to her de-
,,royer.. armins merchantmen and
developing scientific inventions for
discovery and destruction OF sub
marines.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Washington Worried
by Holding of Gerard
,F-on rhs rtsun. Rurnaul

Washington. Feb. THE report
today from Copenhagen that Am
bassador Gerard was being held as a
hostage for the safe return to Ger
many Of Ambassador Won Bernstorft
was partly confirmed by later devel-
opments and is causing Washington
me greatest concern. This was in
creased by the news that the Scan
dinavian liner Frederik VIII, on
which ambassador Bernstorff was
planning to leave next Wednesday,
would not sail until directed by the
tome Office.
The conflict between the British
regulations governing shipping and
the German war zone makes it i'm
possible to foresee any clear way
ahead for Bernstorff. 1t has been as
sumed that it might be necessary for
him TO 90 TO Cuba or Mexico. If
Berlin should make this difficulty a
pretext for holding Ambassador
Gerard and other American officials
and citizens a delicate situation
would arise.
Gerard Not in Berne
The State Department early TO-
day received a cable dispatch from
Ambassador Willard at Madrid say
ing that Gerard had telegraphed him
from Berne, Switzerland. Later un-
otcial dispatches, however, made 1t
clear that he had not arrived there
and that he was probably still in
Berlin.
The departure Of Bernstorf, il is de-
cared IN Official quarters here, Is
shsrgesble directly and solely 10 the
1srman government. II Berlin sin
ssrely desires the return of Bernstorf
y mas only 90 give the necessary assur-
ahess that the neutral ship on which he
'nooses 70 sail will not be molested By
ne submarines. The failure to receive
hh assurance IL the reason for the
cancellation Of the Frederick Wits
sailing.
The State Department conferred with
- agent Of the Scandinavian Line yes
"roAy, and il understood 20 have ,ug-
fe'ed that the vessel sail on schedule
'ts Ambassador Bernstorf without
's''ing for the German governments
",srsness. The fact that the ambss-
soof ~ss on board, IL was urged
mould be sufficient protection.
BernsiorH Balks
he line, In answer 70 this sugges-
a,h. declared that Ambassador Bern
sn would refuse 10 depart on any
,ei gong through the war zone. Ne
.tHn thst che Scandinavian Line
,.,alq avoid the war zons entirely By
..nSg 70 put in At Kirkwall. in ac.
,.sshes with The Britirb regulations,
.plb The fact that the United States
sassen the Allies TO grant safe con
s Je> ss~ sssh~ ~@@@do. .sd Lis sts6
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

hope is gone. The case of the Call
fornia is another Lusitania on a
smaller scale. It is a demonstration
absolute of what the Germans In
tend 10 do. Whether the President
takes this case or later one as the
basis of his next appeal to Congress
makes little difference.
Practically none Of the members
of the Senate or the House was IN
formed tonight that the California
tragedy was repetition of the Lu-
sitania tragedy. The few that did
hear that the ship was sunk with
out warning, that women and ba-
b;es were left floating on the wa
ters of the Irish Sea, expressed the
greatest horror.
A leading Republican member Of
the Senate expressed the belief that
TO matter how serious the circum-
stances the President would wait
until he was absolutely sure of his
case.
Try to Stop Munitions
There is some evidence here of the
beginning of an effort to stop ship
ment of munitions to France and
England on the ground that none
can be spared if America is on the
verge of war. Needless TO say that
such efforts come from sources SYM
pathetic to the Germans.
There are two reasons why the
shipment of munitions should not be
stopped at this time. The first OBJ
viously is that the Allies can make
better use Of them than can we if we
declare war against Germany. The
other is that the need for the kind
of munitions now going abroad is far
in the future as far as the American
military forces are concerned.
Before the news OF the torpedoing
Of the California reached Washing
ton there were some well authenti-
Gated rumors in official circles that
Count Won Bernstorff. the former
German Ambassador, would make a
statement TO the American people
before he sails for home. He would
express. it was said, his esteem for
the United States and his friendly
sentiments toward the American
people. He might also caution Ger
man subjects here against the COM
mission of illegal acts.
There is quite a general belief
among American officials that Ger
many probably will commit no hos
tile act against our shipping until
Count Won Bernstorff is well on his
way home.
The officials of the American
State Department are entirely sat
isfied now that Germany means war.
They point out that no further evi-
dence is needed than the dismantling
and machinery destruction in Ger
man steamers in several American
ports at the same time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Fulflment of Threats

The definite news that the tor
pedoed passenger ship was an
Anchor liner. sailing under the Brit
ish flag, and that the only American
thought to have been on board had
been saved, brought a lessening OF
the tension in the White House and
the State Department. But all real
lied that here was the evidence that
Germany meant what she threatened.
The decision Of the American gov
ernment not to convoy or otherwise
protect American ships sailing
through the forbidden zone, the sink
ing of the California and the debate
and vote of the Senate this morning
on the resolution indorsing the
Presidents stand in breaking diplo-
matte relations with the German
Empire were the outstanding events
of the day in Washington, the sew
enth day since the German Ambas-
sador served his threat upon Secre-
tary Lansing.
It was evident that there was
great increase in the feeling of
tenseness. not only in the State De-
partment and at the White House,
but also in Congress. The over
whelming vote in the Senate, de-
spite some pacifst utterances, was
indication enough that Congress
would stand up if .he President
asked for a declaration of war.
Wants Ships Armed
The President. it is said for him
by his intimate friends. is deter
mined that. if he does ask Congress
for authority to use the land and
naval forces of the United States in
defence of the nations rights, his
request will be based so clear that
there will be a united Congress and
country behind him.
In that determination TO go to the
extreme in a waiting policy lies the
reason for this governments declina-
ton TO assume any responsibility for
the protection of the American liner
81 Iouis and other ships of home
register.
1t was made very clear at the
State Department to-day, however,
that the government wants Amerl-
can ships 10 go armed. But this gov
ernment does not want to say so.
President Wilson was kept in
formed of the latest details con-
cerning the sinking Of the Califor-
ria tonight, but no word or sign
came from him as to what his at
titude would be. The fact that the
ship was torpedoed without warn
ing and that it was more by the
grace Of God than by mercy OF the
Germans that little life was lost,
also that at least one American was
on board, may force President Will
son to a quick decision.
There was no variance of opln-
ion, however, that the last FAINT
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Owners of Lines Now Con-
slider Advisability of
Aiming Ships

The State Department can not ad-
wise ship owners whether to send
their vessels to European ports with
in the German U-boat zone. That
message was sent to shipping inter-
ests in the city last night.
On receipt of this declaration the
American Line announced that the
st. Louis. which is coaled and has
5000 bags of mail on board, would
postpone her sailing indefinitely.
The st. Paul, due TO clear the port
later, will not leave either, until the
status of American ships on the high
seas has been made clear.
On this question the State Depart
ment said that the rights of Amer
ican vessels were "the same now as
they we're prior to the issuance OF
the German declaration"
1t also hinted broadly that Ameri-
can ship owners had the right to arm
their craft if they saw fit by saying
that if the owners believed that the
ship might be unlawfully attacked
they might take any necessary
measures TO prevent or resist such
attack" It made no direct reference
to guns. or how the weapons and
gunners were to be obtained. The
department has left the matter
squarely up to the individual steam
ship line.
Line Considers Arming
Officials of the American Line said
in a statement issued last night:
"The American Line officers have
taken under consideration whether to
sail their steamers within prohibited
waters without protection, or wheth-
er it is their duty to provide guns
and gunners on their own account"
Secretary Lansing's notification
ESQ affected other neutral shipping
besides the American. The Holland
America Line yesterday recalled the
Ryndam, right on the threshold of
the prohibited area about the British
Isles.
The ship had been outward bound
from New York TO Rotterdam via
Falmouth for eight days She has
been ordered to return to New York,
and will probably be obliged to stop
at the Azores to recoal. The Ryn-
DAM carried ninety-seven passen-
gers. Among them is Desire De-
rule, American consular agent at
Luxembourg, returning to his post
after three months absence.
The Bergensfjord, Of the Nor
wegian-American Line, is reported
to have arrived safely in Bergen.
She skirted the coast Of Greenland
and passed north of the Farce ISL
ards, thus avoiding the war zone.
Most of the other neutral ship
ping in the port has decided to re-
main in the harbor pending a clear
ing up of the question Of their status
hy their own governments.
American Line Halts Booking
Early yesterday afternoon, prior
to the reception of the dispatch from
Secretary Lansing. P. A. S. Frank
lin. president of the International
Mercantile Marine, said that the
American Line had informed its pas
senger agents throughout the coun-
try to stop booking passengers for
sailings on that line until the COM
pany had had an opportunity to con-
Csntinued On page ., column
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

CARS TO AUGUSTA.
Atlantic Coast Line. s1s M Wed. a sat
Standard Pullmans Daily. once. i1ss B'waS.
--Advt
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

THE CHEENBHTEH white sulphur
sprlngs. West Va Ideal time for ths
..,,ts Opiy one uighi from Her York
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
" Z A T H f Il

c,oudv to-day; probably rain or
o"w. oS much colder at night. To
norrow generally fair and
much colder; shifting to
northwest winds.
Full Report on Page |:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

Continued on psss 8. coisnn 3
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

Csntinued On page ., column I