Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-02

Washington, Feb. 1. Whatever course of action President Wilson has chosen to meet GerInany's declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare is known only to three or four members of his official family. Neither the cabinet as Q whole nor the foreign af- fairs committees of congress have been taken into his confidence.
 One high offlcials close to the presi- dent declared tonight that no commit nication had been sent to Berlin or to Count von BernstorfG who out wardly was expecting severance of diplomatic relations.
 Action Determined Upon.
 There was every indication in off, riaI quarters that a 1-ote had been determined upon, but the indications as t0 whether it actually had been despatched were about evenly divided, that it had not, and some others who gave intimations of a belief that it had.
 From under the curtain of official silence, drawn closely over every move today, came various indications taken everywhere as index fingers pointing toward the probable course of the United States.
 It was undisputed that the govern ment would not permit Germany's an nouncement to stand without chal- lenge.
 But whether President Wilson's an- swer will be solemn warning of break in diplomatic relations if Ger. nnany's campaign of ruthlessness is carried into execution. or actually severance of relations without further waiting, remained undisclosed-
 Officials Absolutely Silent.
 White House officials and Secretary Lansing followed the same course they have adopted on previous occa- sions when a communication had been despatched to Berlin and they were if1 n hn capital before making any announce ment in this country. It was a course of absolute silence; of fiat refusal to disclose any information whatever; to discuss the subject in any way, or to answer any inquiries upon it.
 All the days developments followed the same course which has become familiar to close observers of the pro- cedure of the administration when it is dealing with foreign crisis
 Lansing Would Receive No Callers.
 Secretary Lansing began by denying himself to callers. Notwithstanding it was the regular day for receiving representatives of foreign governments to receive such persons as the British and Japanese ambassador and they were turned over to subordinate off, c!als.
 sing was engaged at work ''on some thing for the president"
 Lansing VisIts White House. Shortly before noon the secretary went to the White House. taking with him some documents and, instead of going to the executive offices, went to the mansion itself. where he and the president conferred undisturbed for more than an hour.
 When he lest the president Mr. Lansing refused absolutely to discuss the situation or answer any inQuirfeS. Then later in the day when he met newspaper correspondents, he said:
 .Gentlemen, I have nothing to tell you: neither will I answer any ques- tfons."
 He modified his latter statement, only to say he had no communication throughout the day with the German ambassador, adding that there was no prospect of any announcement during the night. r
 Probable Course Of President.
 Among all officials capable of know ing the probable course of the presi dent the only point of doubt seemed to be whether a communication to Germany would carry only warning Many's declaration sufficient in itself for action. All seemed to take it for granted that a, decision had quickly been determined upon.
 It was pointed out that one reason for withholding knowledge of the presidents course is the necessity of completing certain arrangements, many of 8 physical character, to pre- pare the country for eventualities which would be expected to follow diplomatic break. The safeguarding of American ports, safety of Amerf- cans in Germany, the presence of Ger man ships in American harbors and many other considerations are among them.
 No Halfway Measure.
 The last correspondencs with Ger usApZ which demanded the total aban-