The Washington herald., 1917-02-07
FatcfuI Step Awaited.

Administration officials feared that any
hour might bring forth the report Of
American lives or American ships
sacrifi ed which would force President
Wilson to the next step he announced
his intention of taking
While the death of Wallace was dis
posed OF, and the situation relieved to
that extent. it was made clear that
next ship sunk in the war zone may pro-
vide all the essentials of the overt Z,
for which the President is waiting and
which he is hoping will not occur
While Washington waited il worked
The smoothly-oiled war machinery of the
republic continued to move rapidly tow
ard complete preparation. The big grim
State, War and Nav building was over
run with clerks, officials, and army and
navy officials. Fastening the details %
emergency routine under direction OF Sec
retaries Lansing, Baker. and Daniels,
who stayed at their desks far after the
usual business hours
After the Cabinet meeting Secretary OF
War Baker conferred at length with the
President on military measures. but no
announcement as to the details OF the
conference was made. The lid OF secrecy
was continued on all army and navy
movements, and official censors were
placed in charge of all information from
the two departments.
Austria's Relations Discussed,
The questionable status of relations
with Austria We're discussed at yester-
days Cabinet meeting. hut no announce
ment was forthcoming. Count Tarnow-
ski. the new Austrian Ambassador, made
no further effort 10 present his creden-
tials yesterday. The Austrian Embassy
stan, satisfied that the note from Vienna
adhering to the German submarine
declaration means a break between their
government and the United States, are
prepared to follow Count Won Bernstorn
and his staff out of the country. The
State Department declined to make
public the text of the Austrian note.
Count Won Bernstorff and his staff, It
was learned at the State Department yes
terday, will leave New York next Tues
day on the Scandins vian American liner
Frederick VIII for Christisnia- Although
the Christiania government has ordered
sailings of Scandina navian-American liners
suspended, arrangements are under way
for the special trip which will carry Won
Bernstorff and his party, amounting 10
nearly 200 persons The State Depart
ment is likewise arranging for safe con-
ducts for the party through the lines OF
the entente powers. The safe conducts
nave peen pfclDlStOs ditt AOLthoi
sion for the departure of the party is
expected soon.
The departure OF Bernstorf and the
safety of all German subjects in the
United States will be accorded the most
complete protection. II was stated here
last night The Federal authorities un-
der iron-clad instructions will see that
no opportunity is given for the slightest
offense or demonstration of ill-will.
silent About ships.
No announcement was forthcoming yes
terday as to the attitude of the State
Department toward American merchant
vessels which may ssii for ports in the
German barred zone. II was asserted
that while ships are cautioned against
the dangers of travel in the submarine
area, the question of whether or not
they shall sail is still a matter Tor the
ship-owners to decide
A memorandum as TO the attitude of
tAs dapartznsAt - shssa prspassd, buk II