Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-02-16

of railroads met here and decided on
plans for placing an embargo on east
bound freight destined for expectation
unless shipping facilities were assured.
President Wilson himself still was
moving slowly in order that no serious
step be taken in advance of an unms-
taxable demonstration of Germany 8
disregard of the interests and rights of
the United states.
Realizing that some reports of Ger
mar activities may haNs been eXagscr-
atcd he is relying only CT official in
fornla ton.
Reports of persons and organizations
working TO maintain peece are going
forward with undated vigor. Their
attitude is Cat sing little concern
among officials who say the President
has no intention of making any move
except OH the basis Of facts which
will satisfy all reasonable and patriot
ic Americans.
Beneath the surface there Is a strong
undercurrcnt Of discussion Of various
means of ayertng war. including sus-
EestionS that conference of neutralS
be called. There are no indications,
however, that the President contemp-
lates any such move.
The President paid another visit to
the state. war and navy departments
during the day but it was explained
that this did rot foreshadov any i'm
mediate important developments Sec
retar- Lansing called at the White
House for O. brief conference and aft
erwards he and the President WALKED
together through a snowstorm to the
navy department.
A. cabinet meeting will he held to-
morrow and at that time the entire
situation will be canvassed. III addi-
ton TO the official reports reaching the
state department. members of the cab
met received wcrd on tho economic ef-
fects of the ticing UP of shipping in
American ports probably will present
whatever news they have.
Concerning the absence of any word
from Arha ssaCor E1kus at Constanti-
nople since the break with Germany
was somewhat relieved today when
two brief dispatches we're received
from him. The first dated Feb. T. in
puired why he was having difficulty in
communicating with his government
The second was said 20 be "A routine
report An investigation is underway to
determine whether the ambassa dor S
MESA ges are held up at Vienna.
Nothing has been heard of the de-
parture Of train loaded with some Sc
American consuls and their families.
together with an unknown number Of
other Americans which was due to
leave Munich for Switzerland early
this week. While officials here do not
yet feel any alarm, several inquiries
have been sent to former Ambassador
Gerard and Minister Stovall at Berne
asking for immediate reports on any
facts received.
The work Of clearing other Ameri-
cans out OF Germany is going on. The
advisability Of the withdrawal by the
International Young Mems Christian
Association Of its 20 or more American
representatives who have been work
many was discussed today at a confer
encc betV cen state department officials
and DR.. John r. Mott international
secretary. While it was agreed that
the men must be withdrawn in case OF
actual war, no decision was reached
as to their immediate recall. II Ger
many should herself force withdrawal
under conditions short Of war, it is
feared that all Entente governments
would require the 50-odd Americans
working among German prisoners in
their countries to cease their activi-
ties.