The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-02-02
WILL BE U. s. ANSWER TO THE
GERMAN NOTE - POLICY OF
SILENCE DIVIDES OPINION
IN WASHINGTON As TO
WHETHER REPLY
HAS BEEN SENT
TO BERLIN.
Necessity Of Preparing Country For
,Eyentualltles Delays Announce.
ment Of Course Decided on
by President Wilson May
Appeal Before Con.
gress Today.

known only to three or four members
of his official family. Neither the cab
met as whole nor the Foreign Az
fairs Committee of Congress have
been taken into his confidence.
One high official close to the Presi-
dent declared tonight that no COM
munication had been sent to Berlin or
to Count Won Bernstorff, who out
wardly was expecting a severance OF
diplomatic relations.
There was every indication in Off.
cial quarters that note had been de-
tcrmined upon, but the indications as
to whether 1t actually had been dis
patched were about evenly divided,
with few high officials as authority
that it had not, and some others who
gave intimations of belief that it
had.
Official Silence Draws Curtain
From under the curtain Of official
silence, drawn closely over every
move today, came various indications
taken everywhere as index fingers
pointing toward the probable course
of the United States. 1t was undis-
puted that the government would not
permit Germany's announcement to
stand without challenge.
But whether President Wilson's an
swer will be solemn warning or a
break in diplomatic relations If Ger
many's campaign Of ruthlessness is
carried into execution, remained un-
disclosed.
White House officials and Secretary
Lansing followed the same course
they have adopted on previous occa-
sions when communication had been
dispatched to Berlin, and they We're
awaiting its receipt In the German
2apital before making any announce
ment in this country. 1t was course
Of absolute silence, of fiat refusal to
disclose any information whatever; !;
to discuss the subject In any way, or
to answer any inquiries upon It,
All the days developments followed
this same course, which has become
familiar to close observers of the pro-
cedure of the administration when 1t
is dealing with foreign crisis.
Ma Go Before Congress
1t was stated that the President had
made no arrangement for going be-
fore Congress but 1t was considered
possible that he might decide to adopt
this step at any time.
Public opinion In this country Is be-
ing carefully considered not so much
as a decisive force, but as indicating
the limit of the first steps to be taken.
The officials realize that a severe men,
tai wrench must be experienced to
turn public thought from hope OF
peace to the eventualities of Ger
many's action,
There apparently is no division in
official opinion that Germanys an
nouncement justifies this country in
severing diplomatic relations or TAX
ing belligerent steps to safeguard
American rights. The complete re.
pudiation of all Germany's pledges In
the Sussex case Is Viewed as an oper
threat made in full consideration ant
In utter disregard Of all that may fol
low.
Previous cases merely have In
volved isolated instances for which
apology or reparation could be offer
ed or a new announcement which
could be modified without admission
of defeat. The present is regarded a,
representing mature policy, made II
full consideration that It will cost tn,
friendship, If not the neutrality Of tn,
United States and probably other neu
trails
Preparations are now known Il
have been under way in Germany fol
months and the information allowed
to pass the censorship to have beer
entirely misleading. Bethmann Holl
wegs speech today is interpreted a,
disproving statements allowed to
come to this country that the chancel
lor was opposed to unrestricted sub
marine operations.
The fact stands out that official Ger
many has held off from such policy
not because OF international law o.
consideration for the United State
but because she did not feel II ex
pedlent at an early time.
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