Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-16

WASIlINGTON, Feb. i5.-News OF
the liberation of the ~ American sea-
men brought TO Germany by the prize
| ship larrowdaie came tonight after
President Wilson and other admins
tration officials had retired Their
release disposes Of one of the most
ressing and irritating phases Of the
Gcrman-American situarson.
y note percmptorily demanding Of
Germany that the Americans be re-
| leased was expected to go forward
tomorrow. II was considered probab Bile
| now, however. that the government
would await official confirmation of
| press dispatches telling of the free
ing Of the Americans before deciding
ON the dispatch Of the note.
Hopes Vanish I'm Air.
There virtually is no hope here.
however, that more serious trouble
| with Germany can be postponed
| much longer.
Many officials Of the administra-
tion have come to the conclusion that
unless there is a prompt and decided
| change In the general attitude Of Ger
many toward the interests of the
United States the appearance of
| President Wilson before congress to
ask authority to afford protection to
American lives and property Is only a
matter Of days.
Campaign l. Ruthless
Any doubt as to the ruthless char
| acter of the new submarine campaign
! and its violation Of neutral rights
! long since has disappeared and the
| situation Is made more ana more
| grave daily by aggravating Incidents
Even II the president delays going
10 congress longer than 1t is believed
in most quarters he will, the present
session comes TO an end in less than
| three weeks and 1t Is regarded as in
evitahlc that he viii deliver another
address on German American rela-
tons before congress adjourns.
From an economic standpoint seri-
Gus results from the new submarine
campaign We're becoming more appar-
ent today. Representatives of n large
group of railroads met here and de-
cidcd ON plans for placing an en-
barge on castbound freight destined
for expectation unless shipping facili-
ties were assured.
Wilson l. Cautious.
President Wilson himself still was
moving slowly In order that no serious
step be taken In advance of an un-
mistaknblc demonstration of Ger
many's disregard of the interests
and rights of the United States.
Realizing that some reports Of Ger
man activities havc been exaggerated,
he Is relying only ON official informa-
tion.
Peace Still Sought.
Efforts Of persons and organizations
wortlng to maintain peace are going
forward with unabated vigor. Their
attitude is causing little concern
I L.. a.
| has no intention Of making any movs
except on the basis of facts which will
satisfy all reasonable and patriotic
Americans
Hcneath tho surface there is a
strong uudercurrent OF discussion II
various possible means Of aVerting
war, including suggestions that . con-
ference Of ncutrals be called There
are no indications, however that the
president contemplates any sucl.
move.
a cabinet meeting will be held to-
morrow and the entire situation will
be cunvassed. I'm addition to the Of
ficial reports reaching the state de-
partment members of the cabinet re-
ceiving word on the economic effects
Of the tying up of shipping In Ameri-
can ports, probably will present what
ever news they have.
Ill,us Heard From.
Concern over the absence OF any
word from Ambassador Elkus at Con-
stantnople since the break with Ger
many was somewhat relieved today
when two brief dispatches were re-
cciVed from him. The first, dated
February :. inquired why he was huv-
ing difficulty communicating with his
government The second was said to
be a routine report and its date was
not made public. An Investigation Is
under way TO determine whether tho
ambassadors messages are held up
I'm Vienna
Nothing has been heard OF the de-
parture OF train loaded with some
SO American consuls and their fam
ilies together with an unknown num-
Der OF Americans which was due to
leave Munich for Switzerland early
this week
While officials here do not yet feel
any alarm. several Inquiries have been
sent to former Ambassador Gerard
and Minister Stovall at Berne asking
for immediate reports on any facts