The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-14
FIRM DEMAND ID BE MADE FOR RELEASE AMERICAN SAILORS
tContinued from Page One,

will precipitate war has not been com naitted
 There were strong indications during the day that the severance of relations with Germany would be extended to the other central powers. Austras adherence to Germany's position is regarded as prac- tically certain to force break with that country. Ambassador Elkus at Constan- tinople was instructed today to ascertain whether submarines operating under the Turkish flag were under the same in- struotions as those of Germany and Aus tria-
 Serious difficulties with Turkey al- ready exist over interference with Arr menian and Syrian relief and the deten- ton of more than 1000 American refu- gees.
 It develops that no message has been received at the state department since the break with Germany from either Ann bassador Elkus in Constantinople or from Sonsul General Murphy . Sofia who cares for American interests throughout Bull garia. All cables to and from both points have no indication as to whether they are held up there or by the local Bulga- rian and Turkish authorities.
 IoOD AtEA<A Gb
 Meanwhile the naval collier Caesar, loaded with food and clothing contributed by Americans for the sufferers in Syria. and the cruiser Des Moines, loaded with medical supplies, are lying at anchor i'll Alexandria harbor. unable to continue their voyage to Beirut because of the uncertainty asa to what greeting they would meet. They are long overdue at Beirut. where they were not only to uns dActifnte SvT& ians but also to take on board the de- tained Americans.
 Heretofore appeals to Germany have been efficacious in instances where 1t was desired to bring pressure on Turkey. but its employment now would be empar- rassing if not out of the question.
 It was explained after the cabinet meet ing that full reports on the treatment of German sailors on warbound ships was awaited so as to make certain that no subordinate official had exceeded his au- thority in dealing with the ships or tnelr crews. The governments instructions have been that legal technicalities should be waived in order to avoid any appear ance of depriving the Germans of any of their rights. This has been done at all ports of the continental United States, and where officials in the Philippines and elsewhere have undertaken to guard against the ships becoming menaces to navigation. orders nave been lssueo lo confine such efforts strictly to surveil- lance with action only when essential
 INDIGNATION AROUSED
 Germany's redetention of the. Yarrow- dale prisoners, who had been ordered released upon the demand of the United States just before the break in relations, had aroused keen indignation, the incl dent almost overshadowing temporarily other issues of the grave situation.
 Senator Salisbury of Delaware, pres ident pro tempore of the Senate and a majority member of the foreign re lations committee, introduced a bill in the Senate today which would throw down neutrality bars to warships Of the entente allies and open all ports, harbors and territorial waters of the United States to their warships and other vessels as freely as in times of