The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-02-23
Failure Of Berlin To Give Salts
factory Reply To Former Com
rnunications Forces Washing
ton TO Take Fresh Action
VII SON REPORTED READY
TO APPEAL TO CONGRESS

tA..ocIalsd Prss. y rsasral wlrel...,

TLIAsHINGToN, February 22-
" Another and still more urgent
note to the Berlin government,
transmitted through the Spanish am
bassador in Germany, for the immediate
release Of the American sailors now
held illegally by Germany, was for.
warded by the state department Off.
cials yesterday.
This demand is for the liberation Of
sailors taken prisoners by the German
raider in the Southern Atlantic, and
taken TO Germany on the prize shin
YarrOwdale. Former demands for their
release have been ignored or unsatis.
factorily answered by the, BERLIN an.
thorities and 1t is regarded as more
than likely that this one win be also.
While none Of the state department
or administration officials would com
ment upon the note, it is admitted in
many quarters that the situation is
more complicated by the action Of the
German authorities in refusing to
yield the sailors, particularly after
statements that they would be freed at
once, were allowed by the German
censor TO be sent from Berlin.
President Wilson has virtually de.
cided on another and important move
10 protect American lives and prcperl
ty at sea and to uphold international
law. fH a 81 q
He has practically determined TO an
pear before congress prior 20 March 4
and ask for additional authority to be
vested in him to protect American sea-
men and ships. This has been decided
upon in view of the present grave cri.
sis caused by the c0mbatants, naval
warfare. High officials declared yes
teIday that there is a chance Mr.. Will
son will not wait longer, but will make
the address late this week or early
next. a.H.}& ,.@f%H t.g r. lsts5 4@f.
The Presidents position and the
legislation he recommends, in view OF
! experiences during the war, is to be
authoritatively outlined for congress
before that body adjourns, in the ex-
pectation that ere adjournment it
should pass a broad resolution giving
added powers to the chief executive Of
the nation. ill., ..l.E.. "'.
Mr.. Wilson has definitely decided
what he will say to congress, but the
nature of his decision is not made pub
lie. 1~isf s.-s. 90, " II \. t-'tf \
Officials made it known here yester-
day that they expect, sooner or later.
that arms will be furnished to merchant
ships for defense. ~ -. ~ ae,2
IL is emphasized that when the Pre-
sident appears he will not ask for a de.
clarntion of war. 49, H p. @E2 ~
While IL is realized that the pacifst
element has some strength in congress,
the President is known TO believe that
the situation is such that when action
Is needed there will be no division of
the lawmakers of the nation. a. ass 4
Added light on the seriousness of the
breach now widening was given yester-
day. While there is general retieenee
In official circles to discuss the Austrian
situation it is understood the admin.
istration believed that negotiations be-
tween the United States and the Ans
triah government are unsatisfaetory.
Washington has called for clear state.
ment from Vienna as to the Austrian
attitude on Germany's declaration of
Sunrestricted !" naval warfare
Million Soldiers Needed lttt,~
Members Of the general STAFF yester.
day called attention to the fact that II
universal military training law had
been passed when the European war
Was declared the United States would
now have a million or so trained citi.
zen soldiers. At present the strength
OF its regular army and national guard
Is little less than one.fourth the army
OF Rumania, which has been almost
WiDed ont nv the (,anfraT po,.,... 49,.