Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-12
u. S.TO STNND
ON IT'S POLICY


In entire problem will be made sub
ject for cabinet consideration tomor
.1r AMI at least enc member of the
cabinet Is ready to suggest that the
npY permi, private corporations man
ifacturing guns to sell them for mer
chant snip ornaments.
One method suggested whereby
guns can be'seeutad for the American
ships. is TO have the'Navy Department
condemn four.inch s6ls which would
be gQelA enough forS defensive pur-
poses bur would not be fit for much
LONGER work in the naval service. The
ih.pdwneTs have decided that they
want four.inch guns. Plenty of three
inch guns copll be bought in open
market ana the official which whom
the question has been discussed have
said that they would ne heavy enough
This, however, the snipowners say. is
not so.
One Of the compelling reasons why
the State Department has absolutely
tarned down the question OF naval
convoys for merchant vessels is the
fact that ii they should be conveyed
through the German war zone ship
owners with German sympathies
would have the undisputed right to
demand a naval convoy 10 protect
their vessels through the British war
zone into German ports.
officials of the government in ex-
planning the slow action of the last
weeks said today that it had been
because of the complex character Of
the various questions growing odt Of
the restrictions announced by Ger
many But 1t was said to be the
firm purpose of the administration
not to permit Germany to attact in by
the object she had an.
nounced she would gain by direct ac.
ion.
Ii freely is admitted that the with.
travail Of the American merchant fleet
rom the high seas is being misunder.
STOOD abroad. In Germany the fact
S being used as proof of the success
II the submarine campaign.
In France and England it Is claimed
hat Il is being held back because OF
he influence OF the Peace at any
,rlee' ADVOCATES. And between the
wo the standing of the United States
n the eyes of the world admitted is
lot improved, Administration officials |
ay that they realize this very well. /
'ut that they have been moving slow
y 50 that every possible right of the /
lation should be thoroughly safeguard /
ID.
There have been slight hopes in adj /,
quarters for some days
hat Germany would withdraw her new
submarine order. The fact that the I
oil of ships sunk is now far below the
'ecord expected is held to be an evil
lence that the campaign was not a
complete success.
Fcace Runner Heard in Rome.
Rome, Feb. According to the
agencies, Premier Rados!avoif, of Bal
garia, is quoted as telling the Bulgar.
an parliament that peace is so near
hat the Bulgarian army may be de-
nobilized at the end OF this month.
Gerard in Switzerland
Berne, Feb. ia very cordial vel.
,ome was given in Switzerland to
lanes W Gerard, the recalled Ameri-
IAN ambas5ador to Germany. Swiss
military escort under the command of
Col; Brsugger and Captain Iselin met
he Gerard party at the frontier and
to Zurich and TO this
,ityi ta
Pleasant A. Stovell the United
states ambassador to Switzerland,
vent to 6chaifhansen, where the
Americans entered Switzerland from
Germany ana joined the party.
All of the Americans, about 120 in
are in excellent health and
spirits, They said that, despite the
extension, they were courteously
.reatod on their way out Of Germany
It is expected that Mr.. and Mrs.
Gerard will remain in Berne for sew
arai days before leaving for Spain.
The trip may be made by way Of Paris,
where the ex.ambassador may stop oy-
II in the French capit6 for a short Wis
i before proceeding on his way.