New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-22
Wilson to Accept Nothing
Less than Withdrawal
of U-Boat Order
Will Ask Wide Powers
To Combat Menace
Officials Regret False OPP
timism-Fear War Will
Be Forced
By STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington, Feb. 2l.--There IS no
room for optimism in the interna-
tional crisis unless the Germans can
supplv it. To officials in Washington,
not only of the State Department
hut of the War and Navy Depart
ments, to military experts and to
diplomats, it appears certain that
Germany intends to play the des-
perate hand to the desperate finish
Despite the extremes to which the
President appears willing to go to
avoid war. it can be said positively
that this government will be satls-
fed with nothing less than the with
drayal of the submarine threat
This country is on the verge OF war;
as Secretary Lansing said on Decem-
her q. and. with no intention OF
drawing back, it is impossible to stay
long on the verge.
Pro-Germaus Active
The small pro-German element mere
has been loudly insisting that II the
President does go to Congress for au-
,boritv 10 use force he must confine
,,,,solf 20 defensive measures-that ne
must not propose active hostilities
oo.irst the submarines. They suggest
Tho arming Of American ships, and pos
sibIv convoys, but they would not nave
tho armed ships fire until attacked
As a matter of fact, the President
,sedx no authority for the arming OF
American ships. That was indicated IN
.ho 6rst stages of the situation. when
tho State Department intimated that 1t
would not object to American ships
arming themselves. When president
Wilson goes TO Congress it Will be 70
ask more than that, and at the same
t;n,o he will acquaint the Congress and
-. noorle Of the United States with
the exact situation.
Congress Will Grant Power
Tho dav on which President Wilson
will 60 before Congress IS not hxeu'
hut he will certainly appear oelore
adjournment on March 4.
No extra session of Congress IS de-
sired by the Administration. The pro-
longed debates, the activities OF the
Rrvan pacifsts, the Pro-Germans and
sucb men as James r. Mann, VINO
aoosr,t know "where we'll land" are
only embarrassing. An extra session
will be called after March only II
i becomes necessary 10 declare war
against Germany.
Mr. Wilson hopes that the situation
NAV be met effectively If he is clothed
with authority, and sufficient money Is
provided. Whatever he asks of Con-
gress along that line will be granted
promptly, though no one knows Just
what it will be.
Regret 0yer-Optimism
From the very beginning the State
Department mas shown less optimism
than has prevailed elsewhere in Wash
ington. Many influential people have
been losing sight Of the main issue IN
cor idering collateral events. Speak
ING with more than usual frankness, a
biSb official of the department made
practically that statement tonight.
This man has no hope that war can be
ayerted unless Germany recedes.
II is greatly TO be regretted, IN the
onirion Of the State Department, that
y feeling of optimism has spread
Trough the country. The collateral
issues that have beclouded the main
I The fact that despite the threat Of
terrorism no overt act as yet has been
cor,mitted against Americans. This Is
only technically true;
> The reported release Of the ! ar
rowdale prisoners upon the demand OF
Tho American government. But on TINS
noint Germany has promised and tailed,
and even now this government does not
antuoIIv know that the men are re-
iaased Another demand went forward
last Monday. br .ha
continuation OF diplomatic relations
u;tb Austria. But this is not expected
to lest.