The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1913-1920, 1917-02-14
VIOLATIONS OF AMERICAN
RIGHTS RAPIDLY INCREASING
Since DIPLOMATIC BREAK
Accumulation of Incidents Fastening Approach
Of Hour When President Will Again Go
Before United States Congress.

Washington, Feb. 14-President
Wilson is expected to defer a decision
on the question of furnishing guns to
American merchant ships until he de-
cides whether to go before congress
and ask for additional authority for
the protection of American ships and
lives.
The accumulation of incidents in
volying violations of American rights
snce the diplomatic break with Ger
many is generally believed by admin
istration officials TO be Fastening the
approach of the hour when the presi-
dent again will go before congress.
The re.detention of the seventy two
Americans brought in on the prize
ship Yarrowdale is regarded as an
other acute indication of GermanyS
disregard of American rights. IT, in
fact, vigorous protest has not already
gone forward, il Will be sent in the
near future, unless Germany prompt
ly releases the men.
American Rights Olsreearded.
A definite sentiment gained ground
In administration quarters today that
an accumulation Of acts indicating a
disregard for American rights Will
have as much to do with shaping the
policy of the United States as any
overt acts which may be committed
against American ships.
While it has been indicated at the
state department that there can be no
legal objection TO the government fur
nishing guns TO American merchant
ships. President Wilson is understood
to be disinclined TO take any step
which might give Germany the slight
est ground for throwing responsibility
for any future trouble upon the United
States.
Reports of the piling up of freight
destined to Europe, the temporary
shutting down Of grain elevators and
the other evidences OF the effect or
the new submarine campaign upon
neutral commerce are regarded as
part of the accumulation OF aggraVa-
tions which are expected to lead to
action.
No Split In the Cabinet.
Vigorous denials were made today
to reports Of split in the cabinet
over the question Of furnishing guns
for American ships. Naturally, 1t was
said. there may be difference OF 1udg-
ment. but it was declared the that the
members of the cabinet Will stand
solidly behind the president in any
decision he may make.
Washington, Feb. 14.-Germany
continued detention Of the az Amerl-
can seamen brought in by the prize
shin Yarrowdale loomed UP today as
an incident OF increasing seriousness.
An inquiry on the cause OF the Amer
leans detention was sent TO Berlin
Yesterday and the subject was dis
cussed at the cabinet meeting along
with the question of armlng American
merchant ships.
a break in diplomatic relations with
the other central powers seemed near
er today. Ambassador Elkus at Con-
stantinople has been instructed to as.
certain whether Turkish submarines
are operating under the same orders
as those of Germany. NO WORD mas
been received from him or from the
American consul general OF Sofia since
the break with Germany and an ell
fort is being made to discover why
communication has been cut Oh. Ihe
Turkish government has lnter1ereo
with American relief for Syrians and
Armenians and is now OBTAINING more
than 1000 American refugees at Beirut.
Among some officials here today II
was suggested that the United States
next step may be based on Senator
Saulsbury's bill to throw open Amer
lean ports TO warships Of the entente
allies, thus aiding them in their fight
on the submarine campaign without
actually entering the war.