Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-14
No Decision on Armed Ships

The cabinet discussed every phase
Of the international situation. The
question Of providing navy guns for
American ship owners desiring to arm
their vessels for defense. was cOnSid-
cred, but it was stated officially aft
onward that no decision was reached.
1t is reported that there was a diviS-
ion of opinion with most of the cabi-
net officials strongly favoring furnish
ing the guns both on the ground that
permitting American ships to remain
idle III port suggests acquisence in
GermanY's course and because the con-
gestion Of bound freight in the
cOuntry's ports is assuming serious pro-
portions Two or three members are
said to have contended that the pol
icy would he Unwise. The President
will decide the question. News that an
official statement had been issued at
Berlin announcing that yesterday was
the last day of grace" allowed neu-
trail shipping before the unrestricted
submarine warfare went into full ef-
feet did not appreciably increase ten
sion here. There has been fun reaIiza
ton over since tho sinking of tho CAL
ifornia that tho German campaign is
being carried on III defiance of tho
United States and that providence only
! is to he thanked that the overt act
against American life that will precip-
itate war has rot been committed.
Break with Austria Probable
There were strong indications during
the day that the severance Of relations
with Germany would he extended to the
other central powers. Austria's adhcr-
cnce to GermanyS position is regarded
as virtually certain to force a break
with that country. Ambassador Elkus
at Constantinople was instructed today
to ascertain whether submarines oper-
atinE under the Turkish flag were under
the same instructions as those OF Ger
many and Austria.
Serious differences with Turkey al
ready exist over interference with Ar
mcnian and Syrian relief and the de-
tention of more than 1000 American
refugees.
1t develops that no message had been
received at the state department since
the break with Germany from either Mr..
Elkus or from Consul General Murphy
in Sofia, who cared for American inter
csts throughout Bulgaria. The naval
collier Caesar loaded with food and
clothing contributed by Americans for
the sufferers in Syria and the cruiser
Des Mones, loaded with medical sup
plies, are lying at anchor in Alexandria
/ harbor. unable to continue their voyage
TO Beirut because Of the uncertainty as
. to what greeting they would meet. They
are long overdue at Beirut. where they
were not only to unload their supplies
for the destitute SyrianS, but also to
take on board the detained Americans.
Germany's re-detention of the Yarrow
dale prisoners, who had been ordered re-
leased upon the demand of the United
States Just before the break in relations,
has aroused considerable keen indigna-
ton. the incident almost overshadowing
temporarily other issues of the grave sit
uation.
Senator Salisbury Of Delaware, pres
ident pro tempore of the Senate and ma
iority member of the foreign relations
committee, introduced a resolution in the
Senate today which would throw down
neutrality bars of the Entente Allies and
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