Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-02-03
Administration Is Gratified
Over Attitude Expressed by
Newspapers, Big and Little,
Throughout Nation,
GERMANY IN DARK AS
TO AMERICAN PURPOSE
Ambassadors Have General
Instructions as to Warning
Citizens to Seek Safety III
Case of War,

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE admins
tration officials ara gratified and sur
prised at what they interpret as a
practically unanimous opinion of the
country on the situation SO uneXpeCt-
edly preCipitated by Germany's sub
marine warfare declaration. Not only
nearly all Of the large metropolitan
newspapers, hut also the small COun-
try papers, are declared to accept as
"A basic principle the belief that Amer
ica's interests and honor have been
attacked.
one official said today that this
viewpoint, which had been awaited
before any announcement, has had
Il great effect on the formation of Il
decision. The administration Is
known to feel that while the German
announcement iustifies any action that
may be deemed best, the administra-
ton could not forego public opinion.
Advises st. Louis Not 10 Sail.
European sailings of all ships flying
the American flag should be postponed
temporarily, according to the opinion
of the state department Secretary
Lansing, in announcing that message
to this effect had been sent to the
International Mercantile Marine in
regard to the sailing of the American
steamer st. Louis for England tomor-
row, was emphatic in saying that no
orders had been issued against her
sailing, but that the opinion of the
department had been given that 1t
would be wiser to await the decision
of the country in the broader issue Of
the controversy with Germany.
The state department feels that the
salings of vessels, the departure of
Americans from Germany and the
safe passage of other Americans
across the Atlantic should for the
moment be left entirely To the discre-
ton of the individuals concerned or
their personal judgment of the situa-
tion. Wherever possible, however, it
is earnestly desired that no risks be
taken until the formal decision of the
country on the whole issue has been
announced. All the smaller collateral
incidents relating to that larger issue
then will fall into line. No long delay
Is expected.
Germany in the Dark.
Germany is understood by officials
here to be in the dark as to Americas r
probable position. Not until the
American course has been formally
announced at home, it is understood,
will Germany receive her answer
No hints, intimatons, or indirect
messages will he conveyed. Many
cablegrams have been exchanged be-
tween the state department and Am
bassador Gerard since the German
pronouncement. it is stated, but none
of the information has gone further.
Especially is the ambassador being
fully Informed as to the state of pub
lie opinion in this country.
American diplomats abroad are UNI
der standing instructions, 1t developed
today, to warn Americans at any time
that it may be necessary for them to
leave a belllgerent country. on that
ground it is understood, the state de-
partment will not issue a formal mo-
tice through AMBASSADOR Gerard for
Americans to leave Germany before
the situation has become utterly hope
less Until then the ambassador is
expected to keep them fully enough
informed of Developments, and per-
haps to add his personal opinion, to
guide them to wise decision. There
are estimated now to be about 5000
American citizens in Germany, of
whom about three-quarters are for
mer Germans.
A similar situation prevails with
Americans in France and other en-