Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-09
U. s ULTIMATUM
SENT TO GERMANY,
CAPITAL REPORT
Won Bernstorff Fears Break With
Washington.
WILSON CoNFERs WITH AIDS
Secretary Lansing and Col. House at
White House conferenee-Pass-
ports to Americans Are
Discontinued.

Washington, Feb. 2.-Whatever
course Of action President Wilson has
chosen to meet Germany's declaration
of unrestricted submarine warfare Is
known only to three or four members
Of his official family. Neither the
cabinet as a whole nor the foreign
affairs committee of congress have
been taken into his confidence.
One high official close to the presi-
dent declared that no communication
had been sent to Berlin or to Count
Won Bernstorff, who outwardly was ex-
pecting a severance of diplomatic re-
lations.
Note Determined On.
There was every indication in Off
cial quarters that a note had been de-
termined upon, but the indications as
to whether 1t actually had been dis
patched were about evenly divided,
with few high officials as authority
that 1t had not, and some others CIV
ing lntimations of belief that it had.
From under the curtain of official
silence, drawn closely over every
move, came various indications taken
everywhere as index fingers pointing
toward the probable course of the
United States.
1t was undisputed that the govern
ment would not permit Germany's an
nOuncement to stand without chal-
lenge.
Issue Of Passports Suspended.
Every channel Of government activ-
ity was prepared for serious business.
The state department announced that
the issue of all passports would be sus-
pended. No reason for the suspension
was announced, and no indication of
how long it will continue was given.
The>navy department and the treas
ury department issued orders tighten
ing up to the last notch the neutral
ity" arrangements along the Atlantic
coast. Orders were issued adding %
destroyers to the neutrality squadron.
The decks were cleared for whatever
diplomatic developments the ominous
morrow may bring forth.
But whether President Wilson's an
swer will be a solemn warning of a
break in diplomatic relations If Ger
many's campaign of ruthlessness is
carried into execution, or actually q
severance of relations without further
waiting, remained undisclosed.
1t became known then that Mr..
Lansing was engaged at work ION
something for the president"
confers With President.
Shortly before noon the secretary
went to the White House, taking with
him some documents, and instead of
going to the executive offices went to
the mansion itself, where he and the
president conferred undisturbed for
more than an hour.
When he left the president Mr.. Lam
sing refused absolutely to discuss the
situation or answer any inquiries.
Among all officials capable of know.
ing the probable course Of the presi
dent the only point of doubt seemed
to be whether n communication tC
Germany would carry only a warning
or whether 1t would consider Ger
many's declaration sufficient in Itself
for action. All seemed to take 1t fol
granted that n decision had quickly
been determined upon.
"It was pointed out that one reason
for Withholding knowledge of tn,
presidents course Is the necessity o.
completing certain arrangements
many of physical character, to pre-
pare the country for eventualitle
which would be expected to follow
diplomatic break.
The safeguarding Of American
ports, safety Of Americans in Ger
many. the presence Of German ship
In American harbOrs and many Othe
considerations are among them.
The last correspondence with Ger
many, which demanded the tota
abandonment Of such submarine wal
fare as the central powers are abou
to resume, declared that the Unite
States would sever diplomatic rels
tons altogether" That is intel
preted as leaving no opportunity fo
halfway measures; II means the Will
drnwnl of Ambassador Gerard and tn
whole embassy staff from Berlin an
the closing Of the German embass
here.
Would Tell Berlin First.
Inasmuch as any action by II
United States would be dlrecte
against Germany as q nation, and n,
ngninst her ambassador as an ind
vidual, it was thought unlikely that
severance would be announced by Il
delivery Of passports to Count vC
Bernstorff. but would be preceded |
formal notification to Berlin OF Il
American governments decision. TT
delivery of passports to the ambass
dor would be left as aformallty Of Il
future
Envoy Denies Report.
The only announcement the Germs
ambassador made was to deny a pu
llshed report that he had told friel
he expected to receive his passpor
within forty-elght hours. There W
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