Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-05

urday by a submarine was not an il
legal act, since she carried a contra
band cargo of wheat. warning was
given and the crew saved.
officials today heard with consider
able satisfaction the reports that the
German government had ordered the
immediate release of the American
sailors taken from British ships by the
German raider in the Atlantic. as de-
manded by the United States shortly
before the severing of diplomatic rela-
tions. This action was interpreted in
some quarters as an indication of a
conciliatory attitude on the part of
Germany, as formerly that government
had maintained these men were legally
prisoners of war. having accepted serv-
Ice on armed belligerent merchant ves-
sells.
The State Department is making eff
forts to get guarantee of safe conduct
Bernstorf. the German ambassador. to
return to his country with his staff
and preparations were under way today
to turn over affairs of the Germany en-
baSsy here to the Swiss minister The
delay in receiving word from American
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin that he had
received his passports and was ready
to go to some neutral European coun-
try or return to the United States was
attributed to the strict censorship in
Germany.
Requests that German consuls IN this
country be accorded full protection
and territories by the State Depart
ment.
Bed Cross Becomes Active.
Chapters of the Red Cross through
out the United States today had or
ders from national officers to prepare
Immediately for relief work Trans
portation of Belgian relief supplies
was temporarily suspended, but the
Spanish ambassador in Berlin was ex
pected to present an urgent request
today for guarantees of immunity
from attack for vessels chartered by
the Belgian relief commit sSion.
Government officials authorized
statement denying reports that seizure
OF German war-bound merchant ships
in American harbors is contemplated.
1t was explained, however, that steps
have been taken to prevent the OBJ
struction of harbors by the blowing up
or sinking Of any of these vessels. This
action is prompted by reports that
German crews have attempted to dam
age a number of war-bound ships in
Philippine harbors. and in several
American ports.
The Department of Justice also is
making secret preparations for fore
stalling depredations which German
sympathizers might commit on NUM-
tion factories or public works.
In Washington. the Capitol and State.
War and Navy buildings are closed to
visitors and carefully guarded, and ad-
ditional police have been placed about
the White House.
No Actual War Preparations.
No actual war preparations have been
made by the War and Navy depart
nnents, although many unusual pre-
cautions are being taken. and plans are
being drawn up for any eventualities.
Secretaries Baker and Daniels yester-
day conferred with bureau chiefs, and
many officers in these departments are
quietly working overtime. Plans are
under discussion for calling out navy
reserve officers and of graduating the
senior class at Annapolis to meet any
emergency conditions.
Wireless operators are under orders
70 guard their dispatches with unusual
care. and censorship bill is ready for
congressional action when it is needed.
Congress, laying aside partisan diff
ferences. is ready to rush through the
any extraordinary finance measures
which might be requested by the Presi-
dent for defense expenditures
Hany kilograms assuring support or
offering services are pouring into the
White House hourly, and the War and
Navy departments have a number of
offers from industrial plants to give
preference to government orders.
Rear Admiral Peary today rendered
the services of the national aerial Goa st
patrol commission. of which he is the
head. to the government for defense
purposes.
President Gompers Of the American
Federation of Labor has cabled the
president of the German Federati ton
of Trade Unions urging that organiza-
tion to use its influence to avoid war
Pacificist elements in Congress were
laying plans for combating unusual
military preparations. and such peace
advocates as William j. Bryan and
Henry Ford We're here today to use
their influence in that direction.