Mountain advocate., 1917-02-23
seek RELEASE
OF PRISONERS
U. s. Sends New Note 10 Bsr-
lin Regarding Americans.
WORKING ON FUTURE PLANS


marine Warfare and Proposing to
Open Ports to Warships OF Del.
iigerents In the Senate is etc2.
Washington, Feb. 14.--Anoihcr note
to Germany has been sent through the
Swiss minister here looking TO the
release of the American scamen taken
TO Germany on the pride ship Yarrow-
dale and now re.detained while Ger.
many seeks assurances OF the status
of her seamen in American ports. The
exact nature OF the communications
not disclosed, but it is believed to be
a demand for the release Of the Amer
leans.
Berlin's formal announcement that
the time had expired for all CxCcp-
tions in the campaign Of ruthlcssncss,
turned attention here TO the questions
which confront the American govern
ment in whatever next steps may be
taken to meet the situation.
In the afternoon the cabinet met
and went over the situation. Among
the questions now being carefully con.
sidered are:
!. The proposed conference OF nett
trails to outline the rights Of the ma.
tons not engaged in the war This
has not taken definite form and it,
exact status has not been dEu'rDd.
nevertheless, 1t is known the idea H..
not been abandoned
.. Loaning guns Tor the armiuS of
American merchant ships The pre-
ponderance of opinion among officials
who have advised the president on
this point favors having the navy
furnishing the guns.
3. Action on AUstriaG situation la
the new campaign. The new ambas-
sador, Count TornowsH, still IS wait
rig to present his credentials
4. A reply TO MoXiCo's ru9gcstion
for embargoes on food and gmmUni.
ton to the belligercnts
Any or all of these questions are
expected to be decided in the near
future. While it is reiterated that the
president would not be rushed into
war, it was plain that all officials rea-
lie that the much-ieaged overt act
might come at any time
A bill directci against ruthless sub.
marine warfare and proposing 10 open
the ports. harhOrs ana waters of the
United States in time Of war 10 war
ships or vessels of bsliigor,nt3 AGAINST
whom such warfare is warCl was in
troduced by Senator Salisbury OF
Delaware, president pro tcmDore or
the senate and member of the FOR,
eign relations committee 1t his re-
quest it was referred 10 the commit
tee.
The bill is entitled An act to dis
courage the violation O. international
law upon the hi"h seas
This measure" said Senator 'auIs
bury, may enable ;lr government
without declaration of war 10 assist
in preventing violation o. information,
al rights at sea, T." giving assistance
to those engaged in aEaGng uurecog-
nized and unwarrantcd aystcns or
warfare. 1t is a 5ieD that may be
effective in the present international
crisis without a declaration Of war
on our part"
Other senators pointed out that the
bill would permit the United States
to give aid TO the entente allies as
long as the German submarine cam
paisn is maintained, without any
further action by congress giving the
president authority to use armed
forces OF the nation to protect Ameri
can seamen and property on the seas.
There was no discussion OF the bill
in the senate, although many senators,
after its introduction, pointed out that,
in the present situation, the measure
would open the ports OF the United
States to British, French or other ar
lied warships conveying merchant yes
sells and also would enable belliger-
ents to patrol the waters OF the Unit
ed States freely in Il campaign against
German raiders.