Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-09
WILSON WILL NOT
PLUNGE INTO WAR
ON TECHNICALLY
Must Have Complete Evi-
dence About Which There
Is No Question.
SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN
NOW IN FULL SWING
Escape of American Ships and
People Believed Due En-
tircly to Chance.
PRESIDENT IN CLOSE TOUCH
Makes Another Quick Round of
State, War and Navy
Departments.
lry .As-ocistod prcss |


American government, s,ii is without
official evidence oi AN overt act br
Germany considered ncccssar, 10 JUS
tify President Wilson in going before
Congress for anthrrity to use ncccs-
s;try means TO protect American sea
men and people
There no longer is any doubt that
the ruthless submarine campaign is in
fu.l swing. IN defiance II tho warning
Of the United States. every where it
is believed that if no American ship
has been destroyed il j. because Ameri-
can ships are lying idle III their har-
hors instead Of plying their usual
trade; II no American life has been
lost il is due entirely 10 chance.
1t also is generally conceded that
OF tile basis uf preliminary reports.
the torrcdoius without warning ot the
passenger liner California; with an
american on board, makes out clear
cut case Of technical violation OF the
rights of the United states.
President Wilson. howcve-, Is rep-f
resented az determined not TO plunge
the country into war OF technicalty.
When he moves, ii viii be on complete
evidence Of an outrage abou. whicn
there can be no question. 'rhc,. lie cX-
poets to have the American people aud
Congress behind him.
FEW DETAILS RECEIVED
ON TURINO SINKING
Unofficial dispatches to-day told OF
the killing Of IN American negro sailor
named George Washington n the sink
inc Of the British steamer Turino.
Few details were given, and the Stato
Department Tonight had heard moth
ing officially.
To get in personal touch with ala
steps taken 10 prepare the country for
whatever may come. the president left
the White House this after: Don and
made another quick round Of tho state,
War and Navy Departments visi,ing
secretaries Lansing. Eaker and Dan
iels. VI was stated that he ill com
tlnue this practice almost every day
When he returned TO the White
House ii was stated officially that in
formation on all the torpedoc l. vessels
involving Americans was being gath
cred AS rapidly as possible, but that
up 10 that time there had been no
chang" iii the situation
\idttional cause for unea stress was
Sivrn the government in tn, receipt
"t information regarded as confirms
ing reports that Ambassador Cicraro
anu American consnis in Germany vir-
tualif arc hrin. detained in Germany
because OF uncertainty : Berlin over
the plans for ambassador Won Bern
st"rh' and ~ result OF reports that
German .aips ~ American harbors had
hcch seized u IS not understood that
there has been ANY formal action i'll
ms '"Anect!on, The German govern
ihcht merely delaying arrangements
for the departure OF the Americans.
SAFE coNDtrrs ARRANGED
foh GERMAN DIPLOMATS
Word was received from Great lirit-
am aad France during the day tAat
safe conducts Tor German diplomat.
~ thiS country 'uld he arranged.
rms - Well ~ tho fac. that German
attiS mere nave not been ss!zcd. Mas
communicated !" ~: Berlin govern
'HS"1 aI'" 10 'HFthtr difficulty IS cx-
'cS'e"
i"" seNeiai heutlal nations came
,"'"' ''' 't"h 'h'' "Hile they would not
- -" ".P'""'"'!r relations with GER