New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-26
Situation at the Capital De-
scribed as One Of Ex-
treme Confusion
Still Believed Ships
Will Receive Arms
White House Hopes Berns-
torf Will Win Exemption
for Americans
BY STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington, Feb. 25.-President
Wilson apparently is wavering in
his purpose to appear before Con-
gress again prior to the 4th of
March.
The situation is extremely con-
fused. Even members of the Cabi-
net seem to be cropping in the dark.
All find it hard to believe that Mr..
Wilson has actually decided not to
go to Congress before the hour of
adjournment, to state for the bene-
fit of the country and the world, as
we'll as the legislators, what is in his
mind to do as the Chief Executive to
protect American rights at sea.
The ground for suspecting now
that the President does not intend to
90 to Congress before adjournment
is that Republican Senator'S were
informed authoritatively early this
morning that if the President did
come he would ask for authority so
limited and specific, so consistent
with the policy of long endurance
under insult, that even pacifists
willingly would grant it; and it is
said to be the opinion of Admins
tration Senator's that the President
will not appear at all.
Doubts His Own Authority
1t developed to-day that Mr. Wilson
has been in some doubt as to his su-
thority to direct or authorize the arm
ing of American merchantmen. In
narrow sense, the President has been
assured that he has such power and,
indeed, even the power to convoy mer-
chantmen with American ships of war.
In the broader sense, however, his
friends say, he has hesitated to take
such action without the advice and
consent of Congress because he feels
that it is a step that surely will lead
10 war
If the President does not 20 70 Con-
gress before adjournment it means
that ne has changed his mind about
this. Although his supporters in the
Senate and the House have informed
him that a sweeping grant of power
to use the military forces Of the coun-
try would be opposed. there is una
nimity Of opinion that the arming OF
merchant ships should be agreed to.
Nevertheless, it is stoutly believed
that the Administration will authorize
the arming of merchantmen. Every
day Of delay means one day more of
submission to the German menace.
Emphatic protests against the tying
up OF American ships are received here
every day. Expression Of resentment
is heard in both parties in Congress.
This submission 20 German frightful-
ness by the merchant marine is treat
ed not at all as partisan matter. 1t
is an American matter.
Extra Session Deemed Certain
The President mas assured his close
friends among the Congressional lead
ers that after march he will make no
important movement in the interna-
tional situation without calling an ex-
ira session and taking the war-making
mower into his confidence. In some
auarters this assurance is taken TO
mean that an extra session is practi-
cally certain.
In other quarters, however. quite a
contrary view is entertained. Some
very we'll informed and astute officials
are Of the belief that the situation will
President and his advisers in the State
Department are now pretty we'll con-
vinced that the Germans Will skate
close to the covert act but will not
actually commit II.
Another factor upon which the Ad-
ministration, according 10 this view, Is
counting Is the advice Of Count Won
Rernstorf when the latter reaches
Berlin. There IS no doubt in State De-
partment circles tnat the count will do
his best 10 induce the German Ad-
miralty to refrain from attacking
American ships.