Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-06
COUNTRY QUIETLY
AWAITING ISSUE
OF WAR OR PEACE
Wilson Takes Steps to See
Exact Justice Is Given
to All Nations.
ACTIONS OF UNITED STATES
MUST BE BEYOND CRITICISM
Federal Officials Instructed to
Do Nothing Hasty or Not
Strictly Legal
HOPES FOR PEACE ARE WANING
President Taking Every Necessary
Step to Prepare His People
for Hostilitics.
ACTIONS OF UNITED STATES
MUST BE BEYOND CRITICISM
HOPES FOR PEACE ARE WANING
President Taking Every Necessary
Step to Prepare His People
for HoStiIitics.
~ Associated Press.


WASHINGTON. February 5.-whle
th" United States stands before the
world court Of public opinion in the
anxious waiting period which Will dc.
terminc peace or war with Germanv.
President Wilson is determined that
there shall be no word or deed to
merit rcproach. even from Germany
herself
Nothing is to be done which Is no,
fully justified by the laws of nations
and humanity: nothing is to he done
for "Npediency: nothing is to he done
which is not legal and just
With hope for peace and a read
mess TO meet war il ii must be- the
president has made it clear to all his
officials that the course of the United
states difficult as 1t is. must he en-
tirely beyond criticism.
GERMAN RIGHTS TO HAVE
FULL PROTECTION or LAW
To that end. German rights and prom
erty in the United States are TO have
full protection of Law. and the Pres
ident wishes every American citizen 10
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 un-
restricted submarine warfare was al
most diSsipated to-day by news dis
patches from Berlin which gave the
word Of high German officials that
there would he no turning back.
With that hone waning. American
ofiicials now only wait an actual DEM
onstration OF how the new decree will
affect American rights. The news of
the killing of an American seaman i'm
the Smelling of the boats OF the Brit
ish steamer Eavestone is not now re-
garded AS the long-feared overt act.
1t VIII be thoroughly investigated be-
fore 1t is assigned to it's proper place
as a factor in the situation.
Meanwhile, Austria's case still Is un-
determined While it is known that
the dual monarchy has officially ad-
hered to Germanys declaration as it
now stands before the State Depart
ment her announced intentions are
somewhat different from Germany's,
but II is doubtful If there can be a
real distinction.
Rupture Of relations with Austria
seems no less certain than ii did, but
the situation must go through definite
processes before IA decision is an
nounced.
OF OTHER NEUTRALS
Although engrosscd i'm the task of
preparing the country for any event
uality. President Wilson has not lost
sight OF the participation neutrals
must have in the terms OF peace
terms which he hopes will insure the
world against another confagration.
There arc intimations OF thoughts
n 81 .Nf
an agreement on what neutrals may
ask when the time comes. 1t is
known that this suggestion is being
pressed by at least one of the Euro.
pean neutrals which has been among
the chief sufferers from the war and it
is believed that President wi.son has
regarded il with favor. II is realized
however. that the idea is still in nebu-
lous form.
The first steps to place Congress
formally on record in support of the
break with Germany was taken in
the Senate to-day. and is expected to be
followed in the House. Chairman
stone. of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, introduced "A resolution indors-
ing the Presidents action. and II was
placed in parliamentary position to
he adopted Tomorrow. Republicans
nave gwen assurances OF support
Preparations for the departure OF
Count Won Bernstorn and his staff
progressed TO the point where il was
decided that the formc- ambassador
as we'll as all tn German consu!s in
the United States. party OF 800 or
more. will go home by the shortest,
route. probably through Holland or
Denmark. 1t was first proposed that
they go by way of Cuba and Spain and
thence through France or Italy into
Switzerland. but the British govern
ment is willing 10 grant the request
for Il safe conduct through the allied
blockade only by the shortest and most
direct route. The Swiss legation is ar
ranging the details OF the departure.
and the German party is expected to
be on it's way next week. e..
WORK or PREPARING N
FOR WAR GOES ON
The work of co-ordinating the ma
tons resources Went steadily forward
throughout tie day, and will be dis
russcd tomorrow at the first Cabinet
meeting since the announcement OF the
break
President Wilson to-day went to the
Navy department and conferred with
Secretary Daniels on eXpediting lcgis-
lation 10 empower the government to
take over shipbujlding plants, muni-
tioI works and other facilities in case
OF need
Henry Ford. the manufacturer and
pac.fst. offered his great plant 10 thn
government without cost. in case OF
war. and volunteered 20 operate IL
himself without profit Ills offer Will
be accepted it there be need.
l. a.