The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-16
President Preparing to Appear
Before Congress for .Author-
ity to Act to Defend Ships
PROBABLY TO BE
HEARD ON SATURDAY
Lowering of American FLAG at
Brussels Not a Significant
Act Being Mere Routine ct
In Breaking Relations

so r.
Washington. Feb. i5-A per-
cInptorS demand Tor the release
of the ScsentN-two american t:ti-
/cn~ held ~ prisoners in Ger
mann was tonight forwarded to
-tEtrtrr-trr- government tive
personal direction OF Prrsiicut
Wilson. Pre- itlrm Wilson expects
ihat this demand viii bring 20
Gilman the hong series of disputes
and dt~Cords Which have marked
the tense situation brtw,""i the
United ~tn,e- and Germany since
diplomatic relation were severed
twelve days ago. 1t Wa~ .o,,~id-
cred certain iII atniui -traiiou CIR
tIt.> tonight that unic~~ III de-
mand j. complied VIII. Forthwith,
President Wilson viii 90 before
congress and demand die uutiori-
ty Ia Use tho nations armed
forces {" protect american rights
over sea-
administration OIL, ials tonight
declared that there was NOT
scssiec of Justification in intei1,a-
tionai law for the continued de-
tentioE b, Germany of the sew
cntS-two americans who were
taken To Germany as prisoners
of war" after being captured by
German raiders aboard bclligcr-
ent merchant ships in the At
iantic trade. II was stated that
this detention, together With tho
long line Of violations of Ameri-
can rights on the sea. which have
characterized the German ruth
less" submarine campaign since
February I. might force the pres
idcnt to the next step In the
clash with Germany without watt
ing for the dreaded covert aet''
in great disaster which would
shock tmeriea. Executive and
congressional circles tonight Wee
prepared TO have the president
take the entire German situation
to congress within II few days.
probably on saturday.
Demand Sent on.
The pttrmptory demand for Tbs
eiease OF the Yarrowdale prisoner.
vas forwarded tonig ht. after PRIEST.
lent Wilson had conferred personals
With Secretary of State Lansing and
With Secretaries Baker and Dan,ei,
# the war-making departments The
president called Lansing to the White
House and after "a brief conference
walked with him through q blindins
from the White House t.
he big. gray state. Wan and Nav,
building, where he conferred with
Daniels and Baker \ short Tins
alter the announcement vas mad
hat the demand had been ordered
'ent through the Spanish minister IN
Berlin. now handling the AFFAIRS OF
he United States there. Accompany.
ng the demand was detailed co9i'
lilation of reports on The Treatment
# German subjects aboard war hound
German ships in American harhors
Germany has contended that tho Var.
'owdale sailors were detained becsns:
If reports that these German sailor,
lad been mistreated. official state.
nents denying this charge were for,
varded to Berlin some time ago. hni
hey did not effect the release OF this
arrowdate prisoners. The latest re.
oorts Will give In detail the exact stu
alton of each of the German sailor,
n this country.
Must Have Immediate Release.
It was stated tonight that the prcsi.
ient is determined that there shat
De no further delay in the release oi
he Iarrowdaie prisoners and thai
Re looks for immediate action en- hi
lemand.
The whole -question- of the treat.
nent Of American citizens under tbs
Jurisdiction OF tn" Teutonic allies to,
light gave the administration grave
oncern The breaking az dipioma.l
Citations has cut off practically entti-s
communication with Minister Brand