Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-17
MAY ARM MERCHANT SHIPS
List of American Vessels Held
in Ports Is Now Being Pre-
pared by Officials.
MINOR MATTERS CONSIDERED
But Affect of Submarine Cam
paign on American Business
Declared Real Issue.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1G. - Tho
ruthless German submarine campaign
and its effects upon the United States
were discussed late today by President
Wilson and the cabinet. The meet
ing lasted only an hour and afterward
II was said NO new steps had been
decided upon.
Aiming of American merchantmen
aud the economic effects of the par
tal tlcup Of shipping out of American
ports were the subjects on which tho
cabinet ccntcrcd attention Secretary
McAdoo iH compiling list of vessels
held I'm port and Secretary Redfield
Is making comprehensive analysis
Of the iuroads submarines are maxi
ing ON shipping generally.
Consideration Is given by the gov
orrmcnt 10 al the different phases OF
the situation developed since tho
break In relations with Germany. in
cluding the detention OF the Yarrow-
dale prisoners. the crisis with Austria,
the plight Of Americans in Turkey
and Belgian relief.
But one Real Problem.
High officials took pains today,
however. To emphasize that the great
fundamental problem before the na-
Itself. Against this campaign tho
United states has made the most vig-
orous protest possible short of war,
but the administration realizes that so
long as IL permits American ships to
be held In port for fear OF attack by
submarines IT In effect Is acquiescing
In the German policy. This state OF
affairs, It is admitted. cannot be per-
mitted to continue indefinitely. What
tho United States must do To end Il
and when are the only questions. Tho
president Is understood TO have a very
definite opinion as to what should be
done. but he has not yet decided that
the time to do 1t has come.
Americans Surely Free.
Press dispatches from Berlin. an
nouncng that the 72 American sea-
men brought In by the Yarrowdaie
had been released, caused the demand
that the men be free to be withheld,
pending official advices on the sub
Ject. \ cablegram was sent to the
Spanish ambassador at Berlin, asking
whether the report was true. IL is
not doubted as II has been assumed
from the first that Germany would
not hold the men after rumors reach
ing there Of the Imprisonment OF Ger
man sailors In the United States had
been cleared up.
Another inquiry was sent to the
Spanish ambassador to ascertain the
cause OF delay In the departure of the
American train from Munich. which
Mr.. Gerard previously had reported
would leave some day this week."
with s6 consuls and their families and
q number OF other persons.
An earlier dispatch from the Span
ish ambassador said Germany had
promised to facilitate the consurs do
parturc. II is understood, however.
that for military reasons the GER
mans insist that the remaining Amer
leans all will 20 out in one trainload
and that there has been delay in con-
centrating them az Munich. No doubt
is felt here that they Will arrive Ut
Berne shortly.
Great Britain Moves.
Two important moves by Great
Britain TO meet the submarine mem
ace were announced during the day.
A new danger zone was proclaimed,
seeking TO block practically the whole
route ~ exit toward the Atlantic OF
the German U-boats from their bases
in Germany and Belgium With the
English channel practically closed by
an elaborate system OF nets, mines and
patrols. the means OF exit for the sub
marines has been thru the route north
Of Scotland and down the Irish coast.
! ilf lltW NuAh'l ANllf NfNA HlA''l " NAN'p
that way out Is understood To have
been literally strewu with mines.
Not to Touch England.
Details uf ulans for changing tho
port of call and examination for
boats between this country and tho
northern European neutrals .rDm
Falmouth to Halifax were made pub
lie The idea is to allow the vessels
80 avoid the German submarine zone
hy swinging around Ireland and
| Scotland and down the Norwegian
coust instead Of touching the British
Isles. a second port for .he eXami
nation Of southern commerce may be
established later at the Bahamas or
Hcrmudas
American exporters still will be af-
forded the opportunity OF securing
letters OF assurance" from the Brit
ish embassy here that their goods are
not consigned directly or indirectly
TO ErglauG's enemies.
The falling ofc In the rate Of losses I
by submarine 10 q few thousand tons
has made 2 great impression here and
given rise t. speculation as 10
whether the return OF submarine fleets
TO base or the success Of the British
precautions is chiefly responsible.
Austrian Reports Urconfirmcd.
Dispatches from Ambassador Per-
! field at Vienna are awaited with par
| ticular interest because of press r.
Iorts SAYING tho ambassador had
! broken Off negotiations with thd
| Austrian foreign office and Americana
| had been ordered out OF the country
There has been no official confirma
| tiun Of either Of these reports
So far as the state department
| knows the ambassador stlll is pre-
scntiug the Views OF the American
government In rogard 90 Germnv'
submarine policy to which Austria ha
adhered altho final report from
| him showing q break with Austria &
be ineyltal;e is expected at any time