Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-02-17
President Wilson and Official
Family Go Over the Tense
Situation.
NO HOSTILE GERMAN ACTS YET
Washington Believes United States
Has Been Spared, Though Subma-
rine Warfare Is Growing.

Washington. Feb. EVERY phase
of the situation which at any hour
may bring the United States to war
with Germany was discussed by Presi-
dent Wilson and his advisers at to-
days Cabinet meeting. The faint
hope that Germany after all might
modify its new submarine campaign
SO as to avoid making an active en-
envy of America was touched upon,
but most of the Cabinets @attention
was given to reports by each member
upon the energetic efforts of his de-
partment to prepare for war if it is
to come.
Preliminary reports of the sinking
of the British steamer Eavestone and
the killing of an American negro sea-
man are not regarded as establishing
such case as would be the signal for
hostilities. A brief dispatch from
Wesley Frost, American consul at
Queenstown, today announced the de-
struction of the ship and the killing
of the American sailor by shells strik-
ing a boat which had just left the
vessel.
Await More Complete Details.
complete report will be awaited,
but officials believe that circum-
stances surrounding this incident indi-
cate an attempt on the part of the
Eavestone to resist or escape from an
attacking submarine. There also is
involved the question of whether the
ship was in the service of the British
government The. consufs dispatch re
ferred to her as provisional col
hJ1t a Ia fC
abroad in speaking of coal carrying
craft generally, not much significance
is attached to the .consuFs descrip-
ton. Moreover, it Is suggested that
the message might have been garbled
on the cable.
The position of the government was
said to be still one of waiting after
the Cabinet meeting. 1t was. stated
officially that there had been no de-
velopments to change that attitude.
Won't Notify Germany.
1t also was explained authoritatively
that the next step of the United States,
if one is necessary, will be taken with
out addressing any inquiry to Ger
many. If American lives or ships are
Illegally destroyed by the Germans,
action will follow as soon as the fact
is established to the Presidents salts
faction.
Entente diplomatic representatives
here allowed it to become known to-
day that while highly gratified over
the break with Germany, they were
not at all eager to see the United
States actually drawn into the war.
They frankly expressed growing fear
that Germany deliberately precipitated
the rupture for the purpose of starting
military preparations in America and
thereby cutting off munitions and sup
plies from the Allies.
Warns Against Violence.
Washington, Feb. 6.-Whi1e the
United States stands before the world
court of public opinion in the anxious
waiting period which will determine
peace or war with Germany, President
Wilson is determined that there shall
be no word or deed to merit re
proach, even from Germany herself
Nothing is to be done which is not
fully justified by the laws of nations
and humanity; nothing is to be done
for expediency; nothing is to be done
which is not legal and just
To Protect German Rights
With hope for peace, and readl-
ness to meet war if it must be. the
President has made it clear to all his
officials that the course of the United
States, difficult as it is, must be en-
tirely beyond criticism.
To that end German rights and prop
crty in the United States are to have
full protection of law. and the Presi-
dent wishes every American citizen to
forbear from any thought or act.
which might lead his country nearer
to war
Hope that Germany might at the
last moment modify her declaration of
unrestricted submarine warfare was
almost dissipated today by the news
dispatches from Berlin, which gave
the word of high German officials
that there would be no turning back.
Wilson Visits Departments.
War and Navy Department chiefs
and employees, busy with plans for any
military activity the Nation may re-
quire, had interest in their task height
aHuIar Costume Caught Fire
Pine Bluff. Ark, Feb. 7-Esther