The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-07


came effective. Postmaster General
Burleson stated that transatlantic
liners under contract to deliver Euro
pean mails would not be held to those
contracts in the present crisis. From
abroad came announcements that va =
rious neutral governments had or
dered sailings through the barred
zone suspended.
From Berlin today came delayed
cable sent by Ambassador Gerard
Sunday. 1t was set forth that the
German government. in response to
the demand of the United States. had
released the Americans taken by Ger
man RAIDERS in the South Atlantic.
and sent to Germany on the captured
steamer Yarrowdale The German
government released the prisoners. ac-
cording TO Amba ssador Gerard. be-
cause at the time they shipped aboard
British ships they did not know of
the declaration of Germany to re-
gard all such vessels, when armed, as
auxiliary warships. The department
has not yet been notified by Ambas-
sador Gerard as to when he will leave
Germany or what arrangements he
has made for getting back to the
United States
The Wallace Case.
The official information which dis
posed of the killing of Richard Wal
lace as a possible overt act" came
from Consul Frost at Queenstown.
Ireland. where the survivors of the
Eavestone were taken. 1t made It
clear that the incident lid not meet
the essential requirements OF the ad-
ministration for the basis of further
action against Germany. The dis
patch read:
THE provisional British collier
Eavestone sunk by shell fire of Ger
man submarine In the vicinity OF Fast
net February 4. An American negro.
Richard Wallace. an able seaman. OF
Baltimore. was killed by shell FIRE on
boats after they had just left the
steamer Complete details not yet
available"
The fact that the Eavestone was a
provisional collier" was accepted by
the state department as having an
important bearing on the case. While
II was stated that international law
strictly prohibits the Smelling of open
boats under any circumstances. off,
Gals made il clear that the incident
was not sufficient TO force further
trouble with Germany.
There were no indications today OF
other neutral nations Joining the
United States in break with Ger
many. In diplomatic circles II was
stated that there was little Likelihood
that Spain. or Switzerland would fol-
low President Wilson'S suggestion
Am bassador Riano conferred with
Secretary Lansing and Counsellor Polk
at the state department as to the de-
tails Of taking over American inter
ests in Germany by the Spanish dip1o-
matte service He said that Spain 9
position as to the German submarine
declaration would he made clear in a
note to Germany. which he expected
to be made public tomorrow at
Madrid While he would not discuss
the matter for publication, 1t was
understood that the ambassador ex-
poets Spain TO make a strong diplo-
matte protest against the German L.
boat campaign, but not to break off
relations There were persistent re-
ports today that II the Austrian situa-
ton develops 70 the point OF d break
between this country and the Aus
TRAN government. Spain will be asked
TO take over the affairs of this coun-
try I'm Austria
Study German Attitude
In diplomatic circles tonight great
interest was attached to the official
statement OF Foreign Minister Zim-
hermann. in eBrlin, discussing the
break with the United States The
declaration OF the German minister
that Germany is anxious to avoid
hosnlities, and that Germany is In ac-
cord with President Wilson's deciara-
ton on this point in his speech an
nouncfng the break to congress was
studied carefully There was vague
suggestion that in some way Germany
might so conduct her submarine war
fare on neutrals as to avoid further
trouble with the United States, but
the suggestion was based more on
hope than on faith. German officials
declared that there was no possibility
of the slightest modification OF the
German submarine orders. and that
American vessels and American pas
sengers must take the same chances
that all neutrals will in the war zone
Vague Peace Talk
Another peace suggestion forthoom~
ing tonight was the renewed posi-
bility OF another bold peace move.
which might halt the whole rush OF
war events. No one in Washington.
however. would suggest what move
pected to make It. IT was recognized
that the presidents usefulness in d.
rest peace negotiations has al ut end
ed since the break with Germany 1t
was suggested that in some manner
conference OF neutrals might get
together and take steps to end the
war. but the suggestion received little
announcement among neutral diplo-
mats,