Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-05

y.
State Department Off
cials believe that this
m e ans a diplomatic
b r e a k with Austria
shortly. A copy Of the
Austrian note now is in
Pres. Wilson 9 hands.
Belief W a s expressed
here today that the ac-
ton OF the United States could not
cause the German government to
change it's original submarine regula-
tions
The text of the Penfeld communi-
cation has not yet been given out It
was stated, however, that 1t probably
would be made public within a short
time. Until the President has decid-
ed on the subject however, no official
statement of intention by the United
States will be forthcoming from the
State Department.
Meanwhile the question OF receiv.
ing Count Tarnowski the new Aus
trian Ambassador, is held in abeyance.
He was informed on Saturday when
he called at the State Department to
seek an appointment with President
/ Wilson to present his credentials,
4 that he would be communicated with
II an appointment was made. There
the matter stands and will until the
president determines upon course OF
action to pursue.
/ Washington, Feb. 5.-The United
+ States is waiting The crisis precipi-
tated by the diplomatic rupture with
Germany was unchanged today.
There are two acute angles which
may change the situation at Sec
ond's notice:
First, is action by Germany which
would fcrce the hand Of the President.
Second is action to restore the for
mer status Of submarine warfare
which would stay any additional
move. Another possible angle Is the
action that the other neutral nations
will take to follow Americas lead.
The President has asked all to place
Germany beyond the pale OF diplo-
macy. But until action is definitely
announced in the several capitals or
complete replies can be made public
here, the United States must marx
time.
Meanwhile, preparedness prepara-
tions were in progress on a gigantic
t, scale. Congressional leaders have a.
sured the President that he can have
all of the money he needs for any
purpoee. Leading bankers in the H.
nancial centers Of the nation have let
it be known that bond issue Of not
less than half billion dollars would
be absorbed in almost no time. III
addition congress was in readiness 70
} pass a score of measures which VIII
aid in the defense such as more strih-
gent neutrality laws, empowering me
!. taking over Of private plants Tor SNIP
. building construction and the like,
4 and all such legislation which in the
b. opinion of the President and his ad-
visers is necessary to place the ma
ion in readiness for any emergency
which may arise,
Reports that the American llnef
!, Philadelphia had been sunk had no Da
sis in fact so far as any Information
available here was concerned. 1t had
Q been accepted that for the five days
4 ending at midnight tonight all mer
:. chant vessels in transit would be pro
e. tected and if attacked at all, subjected
& TO cruiser warfare. Officials MADE "
70 plain that they expected many ru
IS more would be current Of vessel SINK
&. ing and abridgement Of American
rights Dut they also declared there
would be no jumping at conclusions
+, aud no additional action by the Pres
ident until Official word has been re
81 ceived Of any new facts in the crisis
w. The situation SO far as 1t affected
-, Austria still was puzzle to official
80 dem. II Austria Is to act in concer
na m with her ally, Germany, and under
O. take unrestricted submarine warfare
., then tho new Austrian ambassado