Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-05
MONEY TO MEET
EMERGENCY MAY
EASILY Be HAD
President Talks With Chair
man of Senate Finance Com
mittee About Possible
Needs.
SUSPENSE AT CAPITAL
Government Waits for Word
as to Effect of Break
With Germany.
GOING TO A WAR BASIS

Washington, Feb. 4.-Presdent
Wilson this afternoon sent for Chair
man Simmons OF the senate finance
committee The committee will play
an important part in providing addi-
tional money for the government i'll
the present emergency and is now
considering a revenue bill
Senator Simmons discussed with
the president the raising OF sufficient
money by congress in the event that
hostlities with Germany begin. A
definite sum was not fixed upon, but
Senator Simmons recalled that at the
outbreak of the Spanish-American
war bond issue of $500000,000 was
Immediately authorized He felt GER
tain congress would act promptly
when necessary.
In his talk with President Wilson
Chairman Simmons gained the i'm
preston that the State departments
official reports on the sinking of the
Housatonic have dispelled fears of
war over that case.
In Period of Suspense.
The United States and large part
OF the world today entered period of
suspense, not knowing what the Ger
man-American rupture may bring
forth. All agencies of the govern
ment turned to the problems of de-
tense against possible hostilities.
In Berlin. American Ambassador
Gerard was preparing to hasten home
with his staff and all American con-
suls now stationed in Germany; in
Washington, German Ambassador Won
Bernstortf had his passports and will
leave the country as soon as arrange
ments can be made.
Officials agree that the first overt
act of Germany in violation of what
the United States maintains are its
rights on the seas can hardly fail to
lead to war and details of the sinking
of the American steamer Housatonic
in the new submarine war zone yes
terday were sought anXiously. 20
Waiting Word From Neutrals.
Word from other neutrals is await
ed with keen interest in response to
The United States open invitation for
them to join i'll resisting Germany's
aggression if they feel their rights are
violated.
The Spanish ambassador at Berlin
will represent the United States in
continuing the demand, presented
shortly before the breaking OF rela-
tions, for the release of sixty Ameri-
cans taken by the German raider from
British vessels in the south Atlantic
and now held prisoners in Germany.
To combat German sympathizers in
this country whose depredations are
forecasted it is believed, by number
of petty acts reported in the last
twenty-four hours, congress has set
to work to frame new laws covering
such conspiracies. National Guards
men may be used extensively to guard
manufacturing plants, bridges and
public buildings, it is said.
Secrecy as to Navy.
Movements of navy vessels, pub
lished daily until yesterday, are now
not divulgcd and orders have been is
sued by the War and Navy depart
ments to bar visitors from all mill
tary reservations and navy yards
where damage might be done or
secret information obtained,
The question of arming American
merchant ships or of conveying them
through the submarine blockade zone
is before government officials and a
decision may be expected before long.
Issuance of passports for travel to
Germany has been suspended by the
State department.
May Limit Inaugural.
There was considerable talk in
Washington today of the possibility
OF abandoning plans for elaborate in
augural ceremonies for the president
and vice president and it was thought
the functions may be limited to the
simple administering of the oaths one
month from today.