Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-05


of the government during the tense
period of waiting shall be one of calm
deliberation and beyond criticism.
To Give No Complaint Cause
The American government, it was
stated officially, will be very careful
to see that Germany and all other for
eign governments will have no just
cause for complaint.
General instructions have been is
sued to federal government officials in
all parts of the country to avoid hasty
action and do nothing not strictly legal
and within the province of the govern
ment.
The government. it was pointed out.
has no legal right to take over war
bound merchant ships in American
harbors.
Strict legal right must be the basis
for the conduct of all federal officers
under the announced policy of the
government.
No matter what other nations may
do in the present emergency, it was
stated that the United States will adj
here strictly to law and do nothing
under stress of excitement which it
would not be legal to do in ordinary
times.
VIII Act On Principle
As outlined in the highest official
quarters, the policy of the government
Will be to act on principle rather than
on the ground of eXpediency. The
federal authorities will he expected by
President Wilson to avoid any act that
might be considered questionable.
The President himself. it was
stated, is moving without panic or
haste and expects all subordinate Of
ficers of the government to do like
wise. While not stated specifically.
it became known that the President
is particularly anxious to warn Ameri-
1 Il Ii, ,.lk,
might cause trouble. He desires that
every act of the United States in this
supercrisis shall be with absolute pro-
priety.
If war comes, he wants no possible
blame attached to the American gov
ernment nor any of its officials or
people.
Wilson Still Hopeful
Despite the severance of diplomatic
relations with Germany, President
Wilson believes his long struggle to
preserve the country's peace has not
yet been lost. He still hopes not only
that hostilities Will be avoided but that
other neutrals. adding their voices to
that of the United States, will unite
the major moral force of the world to
compel peace in Europe.
1t had not been revealed to-day
whether any responses had come from
the suggestions to neutrals, presented
with n MITIGATION of the break with
Germany, that they follow the exam
pie OF the United States and thus
bring to bear to end the war the
united pressure of the whole neutral
world. The President is known to be
very hopeful that this new stroke for
peace will. if not Immediately sue
cessful, at least hasten the end of
hostilities.
Housatonic Sinking Legal
With distinct, anxiety cable and
wireless dispatches bearing on Ger
manys newly announced war plans
are being watched for the first indi-
cation of American lives lost or ships
sunk without warning. 1t now ap-
pears that the sinking of the American
steamer Housatonic Saturday by
submarine was not an illegal act. since
she carried a contraband cargo of
wheat, warning was given, and the
crew saved.
Sailors Released
Officials to-day heard with consider
able satisfaction the reports that the
German government had ordered the
immediate release of the American
sailors taken from British ships by the
German raider in the Atlantic, as de-
manded by the United States shortly
before the severing of diplomatic re-
lations. This action was interpreted in
some quarters as an indication of a
conciliatory attitude on the part of
Germany since formerly that govern
ment had maintained these men were
legally prisoners of war, having ac-
cepted service on armed belligerent
merchant vessels.
The situation in regard to Austria
had not changed up to to-day and
in some quarters it was suggested that
the Austrian government might not
find it necessary to ratify formally the
submarine policy of Germany and in
that event relations might be con-
tinued between the United States and
Austria
No Word From Gerard
The State Department Is making ef-
forts to get a guarantee to safe con-
duct from the allied powers for Count
Won Bernstorff, the German ambas..
sador, to return to his country with
his staff, and preparations were under
way to-day to turn over affairs of the
German embassy here to the Swiss
minister. The delay in receiving word
from American Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin that he had received his pass
ports and was ready to go to some
neutral European country or return
to the United States was attri-
buted to the strict censorship in Ger
many. Requests that German consuls
in this country be accorded full pro-
lection have been sent to governors of
States and territories by the State
Department.
Red Cross Makes Call
Chapters of the Red Gross though
out the United States to-day had or
ders from national officers to pre-
pare Immediately for relief work.
| Transportation of Belgian relief sup
plies was temporarily suspended, but
the Spanish ambassador in Berlin was
expected to present an urgent request
to-day for guarantees of immunity
| from attack for vessels chartered by
the Belgian relief commission.
Government official issued a state
ment denying a report that seizure of
German war-bound merchant ships in
American harbors is contemplated. 1t
was explained. however, that steps
have been taken to prevent the OBJ
struction of harbors by the blowing
up or sinking of any of these vessels.
This action is prompted by reports
that German crews have attempted. to
damage number of war-bound ships
in Philippine harbors, and in several
American ports.
Protect Munitions Factories
The Department of Justice also is
making secret preparations for fore
stalling depredations which German
sympathizers might commit on NUM-
ton factories or public works.
No actual war preparations have
been made by the war and navy de-
partments although many unusual
precautions are being taken, and plans
are being drawn up for any eventuali-