Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-07

Washington, Febe. 6-Every phase of the situation which at any hour may bring the United States to war with Germany was discussed by President Wilson and his advisors at today's cabinet meeting. The faint hope that Germany after all might modify her new submarine campaign so as to avoid making an active enemy of America was touched upon, as was the probable position of other neutrals- But most of the cabinet't attention was given to reports by each member pertinent of the government to prepare for war if it is to come.
 A Favorable Sign.
 In some quarters here the interview given by Foreign Minister Zimmer mann in Berlin expressing friendly feeling toward the United States was viewed as a favorable sign Little weight was attached to it by the cab inet, however for the foreign minis ter's remark that he hoped the Amer 1can government would understand Germany's reasons for inaugurating construed as meaning that TO change Of procedure was to be expected.
 Preliminary reports of the sinking of the British steamer Eayestone and the killing of an American negro seaman are not regarded as establishing such a case as would be the signal for hos ff1ties. A brief despatch from Con sul Frost at Queenstown today an nounced the destruction of the ship and the killing of the American silor by shells striking a boat which had just left the vessel.
 Complete Report is Awaited.
 A complete report will be awaited, but officials believe that circumstances surrounding this incident indicate an attempt on the part of the Eavestone -1-Sw, submarine. There also is involved the question of whether the ship was in the service of the British government. The consuPs despatch referred to her as a provisional collier" but as the term collier is used abroad in speaking of coal carrying craft generally. not much significance is attached to the consuPs description Moreover, it is suggested that the message might have been garbIed by skeletonizing for the ca ble
 No important Developments.
 The position of the government was said after the cabinet meeting. to be one Of waiting. It was stated official 1y that there had been no de- velopments to change that attitude. It also was explained authoritatively that the next step of the United States, if one is necessary. will be taken without American lives or ships are illegal " destroyed by the Germans, action will follow as soon as the fact is es- tablished to the presidents satisfac- tion.
 Entente diplomatic representatives here allowed it to become known dur ing the day that while highly grad- fled over the break with Germany, they were not at all anxious to see the United States actually drawn into the war. They frankly expressed a grow ing fear that Germany deliberately precipitated the rupture for the pur- in America and thereby cutting off mu nitfons and supplies from the entente.
 United States is Self Sustaining.
 Secretary Houston told the cabinet today that data in the hands of the de- partment of agriculture shows that the United States can be self-sustaining whatever may happen to cut her off from the rest of the world
 Attorney General Gregory reported on bills which will soon be pressed in congress strengthening the hands of the government in many directions. These include measure for suppress sion of syping. He said he and his assistants had been busy on these questions ever since diplomatic reia- tfons were severed. Plans for in- creasing the force of special agents employed by the department for se- cret service work have already been made and request for an additional appropriation for this work probably will be made or congress in the near future
 Secretaries Daniels and Baker went over the plans previously taken up in detail with the president himself for strengthening the army and navy. Sec rtary Daniels said that as soon as con- zress gives the necessary authority, work on ships under construction will be rushed. MT. Baker declared there were no changes in the plans for re- turning national guard units now along the Mexican border.
 President Wilson devoted his entire day to the German situation. His only caller outside of the cabinet members yras Henry Morgenthau, former am bassador to Turkey He read with ratification offers from manufacturing and business concerns in all parts of the United States to assist the govern nent in every way possible with their plants. These offers were forwarded to the war and navy departments and