The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-02-17
1000 AMERICANS
ARE NARROWED
BY MOSLEMS
U. S. Ambassador Asked to Re-
port on Citizens Detained
in Asia Minor.
CAPITAL VOICES new ALARM
Break With Other Central Powers
Within Few Days Is Predicted
Government Bars U. S. Ships
From Turk Ports.

Washington, Feb. 15.-Another in
quiry was sent by the state department
to Ambassador Elkus at CONSTANT
nople to develop why he had not been
able to report about the marooned
Americans detained in Asia Minor.
Since the break with Germany no word
has been allowed to reach this country
either from Constantinople or Sofia.
Ambassador Elkus also has been in
structed to ascertain whether Turkish
submarines are operating under the
same orders as those of Germany. A
break in diplomatic relations with Tur-
key and Austria seems nearer as the
result of the latest developments.
Turk Government Interferes.
The Turkish government has inter-
fered with American relief for Syrians
and Armenians and Is now OBTAINING
more than a thousand American refu-
gees at Beirut.
President Wilson is expected now to
defer a decision ON the question of fur
nishing guns to American merchant
ships until he decides whether to go
before congress and ask for additional
authority for the protection Of Ameri-
can ships and lives.
1t was indicated in authoritative
sources that there has been no change
in the policy Of the government up to
the present time, and that none Is In
immaculate prospect,
The accumulation OF incidents In
volving violations of American rights
since the diplomatic break with Ger
many is generally believed by admin
| istration officials to be Fastening the
/ approach of the hour when the presi-
dent again will go before congress.
The re-detention of the Y Ameri-
cans brought in on the prize ship Var
rowdale is regarded as another acute
indication of Germany's disregard of
American rights. If, In fact, Wig
orous protest has not already gone for
ward, 1t will be sent in the near future
unless Germany promptly releases the
men.
New Basis for Shaping Policy.
A definite sentiment gained ground
in administration quarters that an &C
cumulation of acts indicating disre
gard for American rights will have as
much to do with shaping the policy ot
the United States as any overt act'
which may be committed agains
American ships.
While it has been indicated at th'
state department that there can be NJ
legal objection to the government fur
nishing guns to American merchan
ships, President Wilson is understood
to be disinclined to take any stel
which might give Germany the slight
est ground for throwing responsibilit,
for any future trouble upon the Uniter
States This was the government
attitude, although it was admitted tha
there always was possibility of change
according to circumstances.
Among some officials here it wa
: suggested that the United States mex
step may be based on Senator Sauls
bury's bill to throw open America
; ports to warships of the entente allies
thus aiding them in their fight on tn
. illegal submarine campaign withou
actually entering the war.
Bars Ships From Turk Ports.
: 1t was learned that the naval collie
Caesar, loaded with $250,0O0 worth G
food supplies contributed by Amer
cans for Syrians and Armenians, an
the cruiser Des Moines, with carg
of medical supplies, both bound fo
Beirut, have been ordered held at A
exandria by the navy department. Coz
sidering the relations Of Turkey an
America, following the break with Ge
, many, it was deemed unsafe to perm
United States ships to enter Turks
ports without guaranty of safety.