The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-16
Frees 72 e. s. Sailors and Re-
verses Belgium Policy.
Wants Belgian Relief Workers
to Stay on Job.
BUT NO OFFICIAL WORD YET
q. S. May Send Sharp Note Now
Ready Anyhow.
q. S. Ambassador in Turkey
Sends Favorable Message.

Washing ton, Feb. 16.-The United
States may send its Yarowdale note
to Germany regar dies of press reports
that the seventy-two American sailors
had been released. Up tG this after
noon no official confirmation of the
press report had been received here.
The note is ready to go. 1t contains
detailed statements regarding treat
ment of German sailors, German citi-
zens and German property in the
United States, the state department
1t was officially intimated today.
1t may feel that it should be sent
even should this government in thu
meantime receive official word that
the Yarrowdale prisoners have been
set free.
Such action would keep the records
clear and serve to place on file Amer
ica's protest against what the presi-
dent and Secretary Lansing consider a
clear cut violation of international law
by GERMANY
Discussing the proba bility of this
governments sending the Yarrowdaie
note, even tho the prisoners are re-
leased, the department frankly stated
this government is annoyed at the
apparently grudging manner in
which Germany is doing ''only what
she should do" in releasing the sailors
Keep Elkus Message Secret.
The department announced it has
received further word from Ambassa-
dor Elkus at ConstantinopIe, giving
additional details of the situation as
to how Americans are affected in
Turkey. Apparently conditions are
not as bad as first feared. The depart
ment declined to reveal the contents
of the ElkIS message.
While no official
forthcoming today regarding Austrian
American relations, questions put to
department heads as to that phase
OF the international situation indicat-
ed that negotiations continue to avert
a break with Austria, despite Austria'S
identic U-boat announcement
While officials generally still are
indignant at the series of apparent in
suits and violations of American rights
and privileges precipitated by \Ger-
many since the break in relations, her
release of Yarrowdale prisoners and
change in attitude toward Belgian re-
lief work had Il rather quoting effect
The release of the Yarrowdale pris-
| oners came in the very nick of time
to stop a determined and peremptory
demand being made on the kaiser's
government for their freedom.
The demand already had been pre-
pared. 1t was to have gone forward
today.
hdu CufI NOtG Ready.
Besides the demand. the document
contained a complete review of this
governments attitude toward all Ger
man property in this country. 1t ex-
planned actions regarding Germans
and German property this government
has taken since the break in rela-
tons and an explanatory section in
frlg1dly polite terms stated that every
step was taken without the slightest
regard for any questions of military
exigency, but wholly and literally in
accord with what treaties and inter-
national law demanded for interests
OF the German government.
Some officials said these two Incl
dents may indicate a decided change
in the defiant German attitude toward
the interests of the United States.
A majority, however. held little
hope that the optimistic change VIII
be long lived.
Aggravating deeds continue to ac
cumulate but the president, his adj
visers say, will hold to his avowed
purpose of moving deliberately in
every step he takes.
When he goes before congress to ask
authority to protect American lives
and property move believed inevlta-
BILE and L matter of not many days
the president wants to feel that the
entire country will back his action.
Economic Problems Critical.
In the meantime, the most immedi-
ateIy yexatiouS matter is that of
economic conditions that are rapidly
growing worst as a result of the in
direct blockade of American ports.
With freight shipments piling high
er and higher at eastern Seaboard ter
minaIs. and the nations export rail-
way men admittedly in a quanda-y
over this situation, it is felt a solution
to this problem must come soon. In
cidentaIly some officials pointed out
TODAY that this matter may carry in
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