The sun., 1917-02-10
Berlin Resolved on Widen
ing Breach, Washing
ton Hears.
WILSON DETERMINED
IN STAND ON SHIPS
Will Ask Congress for Pow
er to Enforce Respect
for Rights.
QUESTION OF CONVOY
BEING CONSIDERED
President Hopes to Place
Full Responsibility for
Clash on TeutOns.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Germany is
determined whether President Wilson
desires ii or not. to force complete
rupture with the United States. This
is the Interpretation placed in certain
official and diplomatic circles on the
developments OF the acutely serious
situation within the last forty-eight
hours. 4 foreign Ambassador in
formed the correspondent OF THE SUN
tonight that the news had reached
him and the State Department from
the same source and was receiving the
most serious consideration.
1t is stated that the German Gov
ernment would have made heavy sac
rifices, short of actual military neces-
sity. to maintain the friendship of the
United States during the operation OF
the submarine war zone campaign
aimed at. the starvation of Great
Britain. 1t was also stated that the
German Government had instructed
Count Won Bernstorff 10 mako apprc-
Ciable concessions to American ship
ping companies with respect to pas
senger travel in the war zone and to
use every concliatory means in his
power if the United States Govern
ment indorsed the basic idea that re
prisal by Germany against Grea.
Britain's starvation policy was justi-
fable.
To Regard L. 6. as Enemy.
II. however. the United States chose
to indorse the stand II took following
the Sussex disaster and went to the
extent of scvering diplomatic relations
with tho German Government. Berlin
had reached the conclusion that mill
tary necessity demanded that II re-
gard the United states as an enemy.
The point Of tho German military
policy as 1t has now been communicated
to Washington is that it is more ad-
vantageous TO Germany. from a strictly
military point of view. to have the rup-
ture with the United States complete
than to have the present situation per-
sist. The main reason for the adoption
of this idea seems to be that with the
United States openly and avowedly In
yolved in the conflict there will neces-
sarily follow a mobilization of American
resources for the defence Of the United
States. thereby divertins these resources
from Germany's active enemies In Eu-
rope.
The question Of munitions and war
supplies is of lesser Importance. II i
said, but the question Of the mobiliza-
tion of American financial resources is
understood to be regarded by Berlin as
Of paramount moment. The German
view is that there would necessarily be
such demand on American finances for
preparing, the United States for war that
the Entente Allies would find the flow OF
financial support checked at this highly
critical moment OF the war
! Desired American Erie ndshiP,
Tho dominant idea which has held
! GERMANY from precipitatiug a crisis with
the United states, II was added, was the
fact that the German Government par
! ticulary desired the friendship OF the
| United States after the war. But 10
/ Berlin severance OF diplomatic relations,
! which already has stirred up feeling
, amounting to almost open cnrity be
| tween the two Governments Is regarded
as having sacrificed all these potential
advantages which Germany looked for.
ward to. Therefore the eyes Of the Ger
, man military authorities are said TO b.
/ centred on the temporary military ad.
/ yantages which can accrue to GermanN
/ through the United States n'.UE tOrccG
! into the position Of an open holigCrcnt
! The course-to hc taken 10y Tho lllui
! States II Germany Compcls th" usc o.
! force to safeguard American lives and
rights has been determined II was
! learned authoriat.vcly after tn-I,''-
! Cabinet meeting that in the event tuul
! President Wilson goes before Congress.
! again ii will not hc TO ASK for dcolara-
! ton Of war but 10. follow literally ne
/ words Of the address in which he an
! nounccd the break Of diplomatic geh-
| tions and request authority to usc means
! deemed necessary to protect American
seamen and people.
/ Anxious to Avoid War.
The President, II was stated, 10 as
| anxious as ever to avoid war with Co
many. but also Is as determined as ever
| that American citizens and ships sha,l
be free to travel the high seas uumo-
Tested. His next step, II taken. viii h.,
to enforce that right, and even then the
issue OF war or peace viii be with Ger
! many. Any hostile action will have to
| come In the form OF an interference with
| an American right
Details of the Government plans are
not discussed. 1t is known. however,
that conveying and arming of merchant
ships are being considered
No new development came to-day to
| indicate that the overt act by GERMANY
which is regarded as inevitable, was
nearer at hand. Fewer reports OF ships
sunk came In and none told officially oi