The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-01
ULTIMATUM OR
BREAK EXPECTED
Continued nom page l.,

events did not develop rapidly enough
to ward off the crisis, officials say
The cIamor OF suffering people Il
regarded as then overcoming tn
more moderate trend OF the HollWes
regime, while the forceful influence
Of VanHindenblrg determined th'
new sea war, Teutons here declared
Germany's new submarine police
was decided, according to German dip
lomats, Immediately after the entente
sent It's unfavorable reply to Prest
dent Wilson's peace note.
II Is admitted in these quarters
that since the Sussex sinking there
has been little doubt in the German
official mind that submarine warfare
would have to be resumed IN unre-
strained form.
Germany herself warned OF this
when she made her last pledges.
In her note Of May 4. she said neu.
trails could not expect her forced 70
fight for her existence, to restrict the
use of an effective weapon for the
sake of neutral interests, II her en-
envy is permitted to continue TO ap-
ply at will methods Of warfare ylolat'
Ing the rules OF international law.
Germany further added that II the
United States was unable to lirt the
entente blockade, "the German gov
eminent would then be facing a sit-
nation In which it must reserve IT.
self complete liberty of decision"
Plans for Next Step.
[By Robert J. Bender. United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-The Unit
,lonne>I If ii
mas not already taken, its first pre-
,fn1inarv step. toward meeting the
new declaration of Germany with
drawing all restrictions to submarine
warfare.
Secretary Lansing and the presi-
dent, 1t was learned today, had
long conference last evening in secret
at which the serious development In
relations between this government
and Germany were studied with most
careful deEberation.
The port of New York, it was learn
ed today, was closed on orders from
Washington.
Otherwise absolute secrecy con
tinues to surround every development
here.
No officials would discuss in any
way the steps this government has
planned or taken, pending an an
nozneement from President Wilson
which Is expected during the day.
Secretary Lansing was busy in his
Office the entire forenoon In constant
touch with men who have helped
frame diplomatic communications In
the past. He denied himself TO call
ers. even allied diplomats including
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, and definitely
cancelled his II O'Clock newspaper
conference, after refusing to see any
press men privately.
Lansing's work behind locked doors
was on some documents which he vas
compiling at the request of the pres
ddent It was not known however.
whether this was some form Of ulti-
matm, recall message or merely
memoranda OF Information
State department officials said. dur
fng the Lansing conference with the
president, that II would be the admin
tstr.te. :>s..!!ss;; 80 give tine press
some guidance IN the present crisis at
the earliest possible moment. 1t was
suggested that some information
might be forthcoming directly upon
the close Of the conference.
Ships May Clear.
WASHINGTON, Feb. THE treas
ury department announced shortly
before noon that all ships viii DC
order of procedure to and from the
port Of New York
The action taken by Collector Nd
lone, it was stated, was not COM
plete sealing of the port, but mere
" a neutrality measure
Ambassador Called.
F. WASHINGTON, Feb. british
Ambassador Spring Rice called at
Secretary Lansings Office this fore
noon, but it was indicated Lansing
would not see him.
Lansing had previously excused
himself from seeing the japanese
ambassador.
Activity In State Department.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1-Secretary
OF State Lansing will confer with
President Wilson as early today a.
possible over the German sea war
fare note.
Lansing today cleared lis calendar
OF all engagements and sent word TO
newspaper men he would not SEE
them as usual.
There was extreme activity about
the state department, with Confe =
ences between the secretary, Counsel
Tor Polk and other officials close in
Iansing's confidence.
Men close TO Lansing, however
claimed not to know whether any
move had thus far been made
EnaIand's Reply Presented
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-BriGisE
Ambassador Spring-Rice today pre-
scented to the state department Eng
lands reply to Germany's charge o
the misuse of hospital ships, with thu
request that it be forwarded to Ger
many.
The British memorandum threat
ened reprisals If hospital ships ar
sunk.
Counsellor Polk Active.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-Counsello
Polk, of the state department, wer
to the capitol this forenoon with Rel