The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-16
TWO GOOD MOVES
BY GERMANY
Continued from page ~

practically call upon him to take
drastic action.
In other words, he feels that when
the time comes, whether marked pS
some act or whether marking merely
the end of the country's patience over
4 series of acts, he will feel II, the
country will feel" It, the world VIII
.feel' 1t and all will know that the
time has arrived.
In the meantime. the most immed.
lately vexatious matter Is tnat oi
economic conditions that are TapaoE
growing worse as result OF the III
direct blockade of American ports.
With freight shipments piling hlehes
and higher at eastern seaaiu
terminals and the nations expert
railway men admittedly in quandry
over this situation, it Is felt a solu-
fion to this problem must come
soon. Incidentally. some ofhciaiS
pointed out today, that this mater
viii carry in it the potential call from
the country that drastic acton De
taken
now existing continue much longer
food shortages may result IN many
sections. Should this result come, II
is believed any peace propaganda no
matter how widely or effectively deS-
eliminated, viii go down under weight
of demand for relief from the threat
ened food shortage.
No confirmation had been received
at the state department early TO-DAY
either OF the release OF the narrow.
dale sailors or the revocation Oh
the order to Gust Belgian relief Wos6-
ers-
1t was intimated that plans to send
neremnnory demands to Germany FOL
ralea.e Of the sailors would e
right ahead and il confirmation o.
the presa reports was not received
the demands would be sent.
It was also stated there had been
no official dispatches telling OF the
release of the American consus IN
various belli&erent capitals.
May Send Note Anyway.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-The Uni.
ed States may send its Yarrowdaie
note to Germany regardless OF press
reports that the seventy-two Amer
can sailors had been released.
Up to 1880 today no official CON
firmation of the press reports had
been received here.
The note is ready to Co. Since u
contains detailed statements regard
ing treatment of German sailors,
German citizens and German prop
erty in the United States the state
department., il was officially tntimstsi
today, may feel that ii should De se.ls
even should this government in the
meantime. receive official word that
the Yarowdale sailors have oesi
Set free.
Discussing the probability OF this
governments sending the YaTov-
dale note, even though the prisoners
are released. the department frankly
stated this government Is annoyed at
the apparently grrdging manner "a
which Germany Is doing only what
she should do In releasing the sail
ors.
Such notion would keep the rec
ords clear" and serve TO place on
file Americas protest against what
the president and Secretary Lansing
consider a clear cut violation of in
ternational law by Germany.
The department announced it has
received further word from Ambas-
sador Elkus at Constantinople Civ
ing additional details of conditions
as Americans are affected in Turkey.
Apparently conditions are not as
bad as first feared.
The department declined to reveal
the contents Of the Elkus message.
While no official statement was
Forthcoming today regarding Austrian
American relations, questions put 70
department heads as to that phase OF
the international situation indicated
that negotiations continue tending to
avert a break with Austria despite
Austria's identic U boat pronounce
ment.
This government 1t was officially
stated, has not advised Americans 20
leave Austria.
Officially announced.
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 16.-Release