The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-15
Will Lay Issue. Before Ma
tion's Representatives
Within Ten Days.
MAY ANNOUNCE
ARMING OF U. S. SHIPS
Washington Feels War Is
Now Being Sought by
Germany.
BREAK WITH AUSTRIA
IS BELIEVED CERTAIN
Sinking Of Lyman NJ. Law
Violation of "Cruiser
Warfare" Compact.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Cn;;ed
States Government virtually has aban-
doned all hope of averting an open
clash with Germany. President Will
son. according to reports given Gre
dence here tonight, will take the issue
to Congress not later than the end OF
next week.
The President. it is understood. will
ask that authority be given him to use
any means that may be necessary for
the protection of our seamen and our
people in the prosecution Of their
peaceful and legitimate errands on the
high seas. 1t may be that the Presi-
dent simultaneously will inform Con-
Sress of his decision to arm ships fly
ing the American flag. The President
will probably still voice the hope that
Germany will not force this Govern.
ment to more drastic and compre-
hensive action. but the order of the
day now is full steam ahead" so far
cerned.
The first definite inklinG of the fact
that the whole situation with Germany
was rapidly nearing the end Of the
pacific stage reached official quarters
here simultaneously with the news
that the American schooner Lyman
NJ. Law had been attacked by a Ger
man or Austrian submarine and set
on fire by bomb, thereby ieopardizing
the lives of the crew. which included
nine Americans.
Hope AImost Abandoned.
Official communication OF this Illegal
act, received at the State Department
from American Consul Tredwe,l of
Rome has served 10 aggravate the situa-
| tion. Investigation will promptly bo
made of the circumstances of this case
but in the meantime the Government Is
frankly proceeding on the theory that
| the inevitable is almost here.
News OF the attack on the Lyman NJ
Law came to the State Department in
! two dispatches transmitted by Consul
| Tredwell They were as follows:
| MALTA. Feb. 13,-Advised, latitude
| north IS degrees 81 minutes. longitude
east Greenwich degrees IS minutes,
American four masted sailing vessel Ly-
| man NJ. Law in flames. No trace OF
crew, Apparently directed Palermo"
| "CAGLrARG. Sardinia, Feb. 13, - Four
masted American sailing vessel Ly-
man NJ Law, owned by Maritime Trans
portation. New York. registered New
| York, 1900 tons. at 2 o'clock 18th
set fire by bomb seventy miles west
| southwest by submarine without flag
! coming from Stockton, Me. North Amer
| lea, directed Palermo, cargo lumber
Crew ten persons saved. Two boatloads
Crew disembarked, leaving submarine
near vessel Crew all American citizens
except two English"
Secretary Lansing rerrained from
comment OF any kind when he made the
announcement that this American vessel
had been sunk, lie stated simply that
news had come officially. II is known,
however. that il was at once communi-
Gated to President Wilson.
Submarine Flew No Flag.
The fact that tho submarine few no
flag adds a pcrplexing aspect to the
7 case. This might be, it is explained n
ruse TO make 1t impossible for this Gov
ernment to ascertain whether Gerna ny
or Austria should be held responsible
1t serves to centre the attention OF ofn-
cials on the necessity for quick action IN
respect 10 the relations OF .Nustrid-Uun-
gary and the United States
! The cumulative effect OF Germany :
: apnarent effort to force the issue has
NOW been fully realized by both preTi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing |,
IS believed that the State Department is
convinced that the seventy-two Amcri.
can sailors in Germany will not be
! promptly surrendered IN response TO the
American demand and that this would
constitute an ind!enity to this nation
which could not be tolerated No nation
, according to one OF the highest AdmiV-
,stration officials, can tolerate its ciri
zens being held in time Of peace as
!, prisoners OF war" Aside from the
submarine campaign in the war zon,
: this issue must he met squarcly. Ger.
manys apparent Indifference TO tbs
: rights OF the United States. 1t is argued
, can be construed here In no other Ilgh
; than as a deliberate effort to airront tn,
country.
I Full realization here that this Govern
ment must openly avow its determin,
ton to take the necessary measures I.
protect American seamen and America
people regardless of consequences ha
I centred the attention Of officials on tn.
a dangers to which Americans in German,
= and in the Turkish domnions OF Asi,
/, | Minor will be exposed as soon as the al
n titude OF this Government Is defintel,
K known.
9 This explains why the President i.
Withholding his announcement concern
a ing the arming OF American ships an
q why time Is regarded as OF pRrticula
" value for these American refugeei