New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

States will declare a diplomatic break
with the Austrian Empire. The new
ambassador, Count Tarnowsh, callea
upon Mr.. Lansing at 1880 this morn.
ing and asked to be presented 70 the
President Mr.. Lansing evaded tnas
request. Within half an hour ,ne
Austrian note. practically dupneas.
Of the German pronouncement %
frightfulness, was placed in MT. Lnt
sings hands. There was a CERTAIN
grim humor in the request when
Count Tarnowski had made: Later
in the day the ambassador-desisnsis,
saw Counsellor Polk. 1t IS geheraiiJ
assumed that he will not be received
by this government. :.
When the American Ambassador is
withdrawn from Vienna it Will not De
necessary to do anything further WIN
Count Tarnowski
The President and American omela!s
realize that the whole neutral world IS
looking TO this country for Leadership;
Declaring that # American lives ana
American ships were sacrlhceo ne
would ask for authority TO use any
means necessary for the protec'lon OF
American seamen and ships, the fFeSF
dent in his speech added:
81 can do nothing less. | take LOT
granted that all neutral governments
will take the same course.
All neutral governments were NOT,
fed of the action which the Ihlted
States has taken. This government
has every expectation that IL VIII re-
ceive support from all neutral govern
ments short of an actual declaration OF
war. IL is realized that several OF the
10 in a
without strong and instant support, they
would be in danger Of the same treat
ment melted out 10 Belgium.
No Casus Belli as Yet
Up TO a late hour tonight officials
of the State Department were OF the
opinion that no absolutely certain casus
belli as yet had been presented. II an
American ship is sunk this government
will wait for the evidence. A declara-
ton of war might be delayed several
days after such sinking.
Another possible reason for war may
be found in the German answer to the
American demand regarding the Var
rowdale prisoners. for whose release
peremptory demand has been sent. But
the general opinion among men who
know is that the United States will
wait upon some overt act at sea.
It is realized that tragedy such as
that of the Lusitania may come at any
moment. The President takes the po-
sition, however, that the torpedoing OF
some great American passenger steam
er could not be prevented by a declara-
tion of war now.
Ii was a serious and expectant throng
that President Wilson faced when he
mounted the speakers rostrum in the
House of Representatives at o'clock
this afternoon. For the first time since
he revived the custom of appearing IN
person before Congress to deliver his
message there were not enough chairs
in the hall to seat the Senators and
Representatives. Chairs had TO be
placed out in front and in the aisles
TO accommodate the overflow.
Supreme Court Attends
For the first time also the members
of the Supreme Court OF the United
States attended In a body, headed by
Chief Justice White. The Justices,
without being announced, filed solemn
ly into the House chamber, just before
the coming of the Senators, and sat
just to the left of the President, across
the aisle from the CABINET members,
who also arrived before the Senators
marched into the chamber.
Another occurrence which broke all
precedents was that the diplomatic
gallery was crowded. Up in front;
hanging over the rail with his bearded
chin resting in his hand, and making
no attempt to conceal his eager inter.
est, was Ambassador Jusserand OF
France. with member OF his En-
bassy staff by his side. Ambassador
Naon of the Argentine Republic. DR..
Ritter, the Swiss Minister; Minister
Bryn of Denmark, and Minister Have
NTH Of Belgium, were also there.
Counsellor Frank L. Polk and Assistant
Secretary Breckenridge Long, of the
State Department, also were In the dip
lomatic gallery.
Sir Gilbert Parker, the famous Cana
dian author, sat in one Of the public
galleries alone.