Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-02
BERNSTORFF MAY
GET TRANSPORTS
Continued on page four

of the situation with Col. T.. NJ
House and Secretary Of State Robert
Lansing it was considered likely that
it would prove the sole subject OF
consideration at the regular cabinet
meeting scheduled for this afternoon
should that meeting be held as SEIZED
uled Meanwhile the affairs of the
government were being placed in po
siti0n for any necessary move. The
Navy Department had all of its plans
completed. For patriotic reasons
the details Of the program. but If ne
cissity arises the Atlantic coast of
the United States will be fully pro
tected and any drive against the
Panama canal prevented. The Ameri-
can navy is ready on signal to uphol |
the honor of the Nation.
All of the departments of the gov
eminent are cooperating in the gen,
eral preparations now in progress.
The navy has furnished the treasury
department with all war craft needed
to enforce neutrality. The manner in
which these craft are being utilized is
withheld but il is stated with great
emphasis that there will be no bot
ting up of any American harbor by
interned ships. And if the necessity
arises for the government 10 take ov-
er the ninety-three German vessels
with their gross tonnage of COL. 2S7
tons they will be in condition for use.
Plans for destruction Of certain YES
sells have been known to this gov
eminent for months. And in antici-
patton that an effort will be made to
carry out these plans, Government of
ficials are in readiness to prevent any
such action.
Severance Of diplomatic relations
with the Central Powers will be fol
lowed Immediately by wholesale ar
rests turnout the United States of
certain plOtters against the govern,
ment The department Of justice is in
possession of information piled up dur
ing the last two years, dealing with
this situation. Its agents, and state
police authorities everywhere are on
watch to prevent hysteria springing
from the strained relations between
this country and Germany culminat-
ing in the blowing up of arsenals,
munition factories, strategic bridges
and the like. While no disorders have
been reported it is admitted that the
danger is grave.
Special watch now IS being kept to-
day over stores of munitions which
were sought by German agents in this
country to keep them out of the hands
of the Entente powers.
Every member of congress has
been requested to remain in Wash.
ington pending developments. The
president intends taking congress in
to his confidence as that action is
possible. In the face of the great
crisis party lines are being wiped ou
and the leaders on both sides are in
sisting that the president must be SUP
ported to a man.
Count Adam Tarnowski, Won Tar
now, the new Austrian ambassador
continued his policy Of utter silence
1t was understood that Immediately
upon his arrival at the embassy last
night he got in touch with Ambassa.
dor Won BernstOrff and that the latter
gave him complete information deal
ing with the present crisis He said
he hoped to present his letters to
President Wilson shortly. However
in view of the fact that Austria has
followed Germany's lead and has de
( clared for unrestricted submarine
warfare, it is expected that he may be
sent home before he can meet the
president.
Acting under instructions from the
War Department, General Clarenc,
Edwards, commanding the troops il
the canal zone, has increased ttht
guard about the locks of the big wat
erway and along It's banks. The chic
danger to the canal would come from
an attempt to blow up the locks an,
this has been rendered impossible b,
General Edwards action.
There are five submarines and dc
troyer at the Atlantic entrance to tn
canal and vessels Of the Pacific flee
at the Pacific entrance. The Altar
tic fleet is also within twenty.fou
hours steaming distance so that Of
llcials are very confident that nothin
can happen to the canal.
Assistant Secretary of the Nav
FRANKLIN d. Roosevelt, who has bee
inspecting the naval bases in the Yves
Indies, will sail for home Sunday.
was said at the department that thi
sailing date had been arranged som,
time ago and that he has not been y
dered home because of the interpret,
ton placed on the action of the stat
department in refusing passports fc
t'urop "Strastegc deniel' was mad
by the passport bureau. 1t insiste
mat the discovery Of the fact that
German ollicer had been able to &,
a passport had made new rules il
peratiye and that these rules were r
sponsible for the refusing of apple
tlohs FOR passports. As matter