The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-05
Immediate Danger of War With
Germany Averted by Report
On Sinking
WASHINGTON AWAITS
NEWS OF OVERT ACT
In Meantime Every Effort Is
Being Made to Meet Troub e
Should 1t Develop - busy
Day at White House
By T.. II. SARTWELL.
International News Service stan
Correspondent.


International News Service stan
Correspondent.
Washington, Feb. with the I'M
mediate danger OF war with Germany
ayerted. the United States tonight set
tied down to wait for an overt action
by the German naval forces. in viola
tion OF the German governments sub
marine pledges.
The sinking Of the American steam
- ar Housatonic by German sub
marine. which for twentyfour hours
had kept President Wilson and all Of
hcial Washington at the highest ten
sion following the diplomatic break
between Germany and this country,
was accomplished with full regard
for American ghts and international
law.
A formal report TO the site de-
partment establishing this fact reliev-
cd the strain. and placed the Housa-
tonic incident among several German
American controversies which Will be
settled after the war"
With the incident closed, President
Wilson. worried and worn, watched
the news from Germany's submarine
zone anxiously, appre hensive that any
hour might bring word OF a sacrifice
of American ships or American lives"
which would force the United States
into open hostilities.
Organizing All Forces,
Meantime all the energies of the
government were devoted to organiz-
ing the military. naval and neutrality
forces of the United States into war
time condition. Despite the secret
censorship which enshrouded every
naval and military order with mys-
terry. IL was learned tonight the re-
serve officers of the navy Will be ord
cred into service and that the entire
reserve feet will be commissioned and
manned.
The navy bureau of navigation was
the scene OF hurried activity, and
Secretary OF War Baker spent a large
part of the sabbath in his office. study
ing the disposition OF the nation s.
military forces. Conferences attended
by Attorney General Gregory. Chief
Bruce a. Bielaski, of the department
OF justice investigation division; As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury Pc
tiers. and missioner of Immigra-
ton Campinetti considered the vast
number OF problems arising out or
neutrality, including the treatment Of
the German sailors on war-bound
ships in American ports. They ali
shrouded their deliberations under a
close veil OF secrecy, but special agents
Of the department Of justice and Gus
toms inspectors were hurrying from
Washin gton tonight to organize federal
guards in cities throughout the coun-
try.
An Anxious Day.
Arrangements proceeded slowly to-
day for the departure of Count Won
Bernstorff and the German embassy
staff It became known that the state
department has begun an effort 10
secure from the entente allies sal
conduct to protect the ambassador and
his staff on their way to Germany.
No word was received at the state de-
partment today from Anbassa d or
Gerard, at Berlin. The mbassa Tor
has not been heard from since in
structions were sent him to leave his
post and the state department was
plainly anxious TO hear from him.
President Wilson spent quiet day,
watching anxiously for news from the
war zone. Accompanied by Mrs, Will
son. he attended his usual church
services during the morning He was
plainly worn by the events of the
last few days. A short automobile
ride with Mrs. Wilson this afternoon
was the only relaxation of the presi-
dents day.
Throughout twenty-four hours the
DEGSlucuL anu Ills 6oNlSctS SIdHHSu
carefully and anxiously every scrap
of news bearing on the sinking of the
Housatonic, 1t was with a great sigh
OF relief that the president greeted
an official report on the incident,
which related that not only had tho
American ship been warned. but that
the submarine which sank her had
aided In the rescue of the crew. The
report came from Consul Joseph @.
stephens at Plymouth. England. and
read:
American steamer Housatonic
loaded with a cargo of wheat for the
British government, torpedoed by a
German submarine at 1890 whether
A. NJ. or p NJ. was blurred in trans
mission) February 3. Vessel was
warned and total crew of thirty-seven
was rescued by submarine and towed
for ninety minutes toward land. Sub
marine fred signal to attract British
patrol boat, which subsequently land
ed crew at Penzance."
At the state department 1t was
pointed out that the Housatonic case
now practically parallels the case Of
the American ship Frye. negotiations
as to which have been suspended until
the war ends The administration
once more resumed it's watch for
submarine sinking which will hope
lessly involve this nation in the world
conflict.
The status of the relations between
the United States and Austria tonight
became matter OF pressing impor-
lance.
Count Tarnowski., the new Austrian
ambassador has 40 far not been given