New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-20
Delays Decisive Action to
Leave Way Open for
Breakdown
Bernstorf May
Appeal to Kaiser
Envoy to Urge Peace, Is
Rumor-President Said to
Favor Aiming Ships
By STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington, Feb. 19.-The hesita-
tion by President Wilson to take fur
ther action in the German crisis,
even in regard to arming American
ships and ending the blockade of
American shipping, appears to be
based on the forlorn hope that Ger
many will back down. II appears to
be the Presidents purpose to post
pone action of any sort as long as
possible.
II is reported to-day that Mr.. Will
son believes that Count Won Bern
, storff's return to Germany may be
helpful to the cause Of peace. Pos
sibly that clever diplomat will be
able TO convince Won Hindenburg and
the Kaiser that Germany has blum
dered in alternating the affections Of
the United States. Possibly he will
be able to secure notifications of the
submarine proclamation.
: Bernstorff Gave Warning
J Although such talk is INDUCED in in
quarters close to the President, there
/ is no reason to assert that the Presi-
dent or his closest advisers believe It,
II Won Bernstorff made one thing clear
before he left the United States, it was
that Germany did mean it, and meant
it TO the last degree OF horror. 10
men he knew we'll he expressed also the
belief that there was no way OF avoid
ing war.
An interesting bit of gossip in Wash-
ington to-day concerned Count Won
Bernstorf. The count, as the story
ran. and Prince Won Ruelow, formerly
the Imperial Chancellor and later the
Ambassador Extraordinary, who Kept
Italv out of the war for so many
months. had been selected by the
Kaiser TO collaborate on GernDnys
peace terms and later to represent Ter
many at the peace conference.
Has Decided on Course
Il is believed that the President mas
definitely made up his mind on the
course this government is to pursue.
Congress rests in waiting mood, walt
ing to hear the authoritative announce
ment of Americas policy.
That announcement cannot be long
delayed It probably will be made tins
week. Wednesday may be the day. 1t
nav be DELAYED until Friday or Satur-
oh N .
OF the best informed men here that a
climax in the crisis is almost at hanc.
Nevertheless the most definite state
n,ent made by a friend of the Presl-
dert. and possibly at his direct sugges-
ton. was that Mr.. Wilson has mo in-
mediate intention of going before Con-
gress.'
This government has not been in
formed that Germany would regard the
arn,ing of American merchantmen as
a hostile act. But American officials
say they have 10 doubt that the Ger
man government is now attempting in
various ways TO convey the definite
understanding 10 the United States that
erminp our nerchantmen certainly
would mean war. No officia! communl-
cation through the Swiss or Spanish
governments is expected
Would Be Hostile Act
There is no doubt that from Ger
many's point of view the arming
Of American ships would be hostile
act. There would be no use armlng
the ships if the gunners were TO be
restrained from firing at submarines
on sight. The very fact that merch-
antmen were armed would be taken
by Germany, ard rlghtfully taken 20
mean that her submarines were TO be
fred upon at sight before they had
time to exercise the right Of visit and
Il is this very question which is said
to be SO greatly disturbing President
Wilson. lie has decided II. according
TO some Of his close friends. IN favor
of armament, because that other prob
lem. the holding Of American ships IN
port by the terror threats OF Germany,
is even more disturbing.