South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-15
Charge That He and Members
of Commission Cannot
Leave Brussels to be
Investigated.
PRESIDENT is EXPECTED
TO GO BEFORE CONGRESS
Sinking of Lyman NJ. Law by
Austrian Sub Held to be
ILLEGAL As She Carried
No COntraband.
InternatIonaI - -

international News Service;
WASHINGTON. Feb. l5.- Grave
concern is felt in official circles
over the reports from Eerne that
Brand Whilock. the American min
lister to Belgium. and an OF the
American members OF the Belgian
relief commission practically arc
prisoners at Brussels. Inquiry az
to the truth Of these reports have
been addressed 20 Berlin through
the Swiss minister here and the
Spanish ambassador there.
Ia is considered certain that Do the
reports are true a peremptory de
mand for their release VIII Doe
made Meanwhile il is understood
here that the Spanish minister at
Brussels had taken charge OF tne
affairs Of the United States there.
officials say that the president
shortly must so before congress
again and lay the developments of
the entire submarine situation bee
fore it and that then legislation
specifically authorizing the arming
OF American vessels win bee secured.
While the majority of the cabinet
considers that American ship own
ers have full authority 20 arm their
vessels for defense inasmuch as they
cannot secure cannon excepting
from the navy department II will
be considered necessary 20 have
congress pass on the question. The
navy has no authority at the present
time 20 furnish arms or ships.
Lyman Law Was Warned.
The official reports OF the sinking
Of the American schooner Lyman
NJ Law by an Austrian submarine
has added very little 20 the tension.
The schooner was stopped and her
crew warned The sinking. officials
say. was illegal in that her cargo
OF lumber was not contraband and
the submarine failed 20 display re
flag. A formal explanation OF the
action OF the U-boat win be asked
OF Vienna. IN replying 20 these
queries IL IS expected that Austria
will outline its position on the sub
marine question more clearly than
II has up 20 the present.
All information reaching here
from German sources indicate. Of
hcials say. that feeling against the
United states 81 increasing there
The declaration made officially yes
terday that unrestricted su omar-
ine operations are 70 continue" is
three American vessels now en- route
20 Europe, the Rochester, Orleans
and cold shell viii be sunk II they
are met by German submarine.
Congestion Is Problem.
Meauwhi!a officials are consider
ing means 20 meet the freight con-
ges. ion which now prevails ~ an
Atlantic ports. The railroads have
laid an embargo on perishabIe
goods but reports received here I'M
dictate that this has had little effect
There is very little hope ~ imned
late relief until steamship sailinr7
ARE resumed and when this viii De
no one in authority here can say
Await Austrian Reply.
So far as the Austrian situation lV
concerned. there has been no
change as vet This government
through Ambassador PeudeId In
Vienna. has asked Austria % out-
line her exact position on the Ques-
ton Of unlimited submarine war
fare. While awaiting a reply f is
getting all Americans out Of the ter
ritOry OF the central power
The position Of the Americans in
Turkey is admittedly troublesome.
There are 10000 there and up 70
the present IT. has been found ina
possible 10 make arr8r gements %
get them out
Mighty strides have been taken
by the council OF national defense.
which has been in almost contin-
uous sessions here ln Washington
this week liz has well under wat
plans FOR standardizing biz indus
trial plants In the event Of war ard
for securing cooperation from the
railroads SO tnar troop and munI-
tisa movements can be expedited