Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-02-22
WILSON DECIDES
TO ASK POWER
Break With Austria Expected
Soon Unless Ally Of. Ger
many Changes Her Posi-
tion on Submarines.

Washington, Feb. 22-President
Wilson has practically decided to
appear before congress prior to ad-
journment March q, to ask for ad-
ditional authority to protect Ameri-
can seamen and ships against the
German submarine menace.
While officials said there was
bare chance that he will not carry
out that plan, there was every in
dication that he would make his
address either late this week or
early next week.
Turkey Releases Refugees.
Turkey has assured Ambassador Ell
kus of its willingness to waive all re-
strictions of Quarantine and otherwise
upon the Immediate departure of tbs
1000 Americans gathered in the neigh
borhood of Beirut. 1t also has guar
anteed the American relief ships
against any interference by Turkish
submarines.
Consul Frost reported from Oneens-
town that after the ship was sunk last
Saturday the men We're rescued, but
their lives We're endangered by shci!
fire before the crew had gotten away
in boats and by drifting about at sea
for nearly is hours. At the state de-
partment it was stated that the situa
ton remained as serious as ii could
be without war.
The president has decided not to call
an extra session of congress unleSa
there should be an unusual emergency
and it was generally accepted today
that he will not call the Senate in spe-
cial session after March a.
While general reticence on the Aus
trian situation was observed today 1t
Is understood that the administrator
believes the negotiations SO far lave
been unsatisfactory.
Ultimately a break is expected unless
Austria changes her position.
From the Tribune Washington Bureau.
Washington, d. c., Feb 21-..The
propaganda against war with Germany
has reached great proportions. Sena-
tors and House members are getting
vast numbers Of letters and kilograms
from all parts of the country protest.
ing against war and urging peace. The
White House, too, is getting many pa
cifist letters. although 1T is also getting
many pledging support to. the presi-
dent
The letters are reaching members OF
congress in such numbers as to make
it plain they are not a spontaneous out
pouring of sentiment. but are the result
of organization. They are attributed
to the efforts of Bryan, various pacific
Influences. and pro- German influences.
Iowa. Nebraska and South Dakota
members are getting q flood of anti
war communications.
Fears Foreign Opinion.
President Wilson is not expected to
go before congress in the next two
days, but may go before the Session
ends
This is stated in high administration
quarters today. If he goes it will not
be to seek declaration of war, but to
get authority to protect American
rights against entertainments.
ITO prevent entertainments" was the
expression used by a leading adminis-
tration official in describing what the
president would go to congress for. The
fact that If the president goes before
congress and asks sweeping power it
may be regarded abroad as next door
to a war declaration is one Of the fac
tors in the situation which is causing
the president to hesitate.