New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02
"NO Action Yet" Say Officials, but
Warning May Already Have
Gone to Berlin
BERNSTORFF STILL AT POST;
HASN'T PREPARED TO LEAVE
President Calls Lansing and House Into Night
Conference-Will Go Before Cabinet To-
day and May Address Congress
Bv STEVENSON H. EVANS

Washington Feb 1.-The lapse of thirty hours since the
receipt of the German declaration of ruthless submarine
fare in defiance of international the rights of neutras
leaves this government Just where last nghon the
brink of diplomatic break with Germany President Wilson
has done nothing yet.
Nobody here believes, Count Won Benstorf that
diplomatic break can averted Severance of diplomatic
relations by class powers always in history has been fol-
lowed by war There exceptions.
The words of the Secretary of State bunderngy spoken
on December that this country ION the verge OF war
have At last the United States of America about
might upon the side of the great democraces OF the
world which are fighting military autocracy
Hope Action Will Back Words
Washington disposed give the President plenty OF time
to consider the momentous which confrOnts the country
There no tendency anywhere hurry crcse his action
On the contrary appears be general belief that when
the government of the United States speak it will be in
words of no uncertain meaning
There hope too that the words will be backed by action
so that the imperial German government will have lingering
doubt of the intentions of this government.
There literally developments in the situation The
Secretary State Robert Lansing met twoscore correspond
questions whatever He amended that three minutes
later by declaring that action had been taken yet and that
probably no action would be taken tonight.
Mr. Lansing added specifically that he had had communi
cation with the German Ambassador Blank refusal to say
word developed when newspaper shot question after
question on the various phases of the present crisis Mr. Ian
sing refused say whether word had been received from Mr.
Gerard whether instructions had been sent to him. to give
the slightest ntimaon of what was intended.
Wilson Has Decided His Course
The Secretary of State and all high governmental officials
acted precisely to-day they have acted previous moen
when this has been on the point OF
dspatching critical messages foreign There
the same air of important mystery in all the Offices One i'm,
poran parsonage whose position in the and a
tivte to-day would uphold the belief that he spoke with
knowledge said tonight that this as yet had done
nothing" by way of reply to the German note
That was the only positive statement which was able to
obtain There other equally important persoages whose
manner and guarded words the certain impression that
President Wilson actually had spoken and that the atefu words
already the cable.
Certain is at least that the President has made up his
mind what action take the general belief in the highest
quarters that his first action will be either Germany
that the illegal blockade will be recognized and by infer
once at least that such blockade vii be resisted by the naval
force Of the United States that he has sent about TO
send demand the submarine blockade-which means the
sacrifice Of the last pretence observing law ana
tho murder of thousands of innocent peope-be rescnded
forthwith
No Yielding by Germany Expected
No one here in position have exact knowledge believes
that Germany will pay attention to either warning or demand
Tho mnera government after full and complete consideration
has determined upon line of action which the are certain 10
ro If ruthless submarine warfare fails in its attempt
torve Great Britain in thirty daysas representatives OF
the Allies and American naval officers are certain that Will