South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-19
That Renewed Demand For
Their Release Has Been
Sent is Admitted by
State Department.
FATE OF AMERICANS TN
TURKEY STILL IN DOUBT
Cruiser and Naval Collier Are
Ready to Proceed But Navy
Officials Refuse to
Send Such Orders.
international News Service

international News Service
WASHINGTON. Feb. ts.-The q
Americans held prisoners in Ger
many after their capture on the
British steamer Yarrowdale are stin
held. according 20 an information in
the possession OF the state depart
ment. Secy Lansing admitted today.
This. i'm spite OF the fact that this
governments renewed demand for
their release has been forwarded TO
Berlin The dispatch OF this demand
was not confirmed until today.
The secretary said that message
/ had reached the department through
Spain that the capuves would bee
released shortly" but as this prom
| Use has been made before the de-
partment does not feel trat there
has been any marked improvement
I i'm the situation arising over their
prolonged detention
Has Served No Notice.
Reports that Germany has served
notice on this government that the
arming Of American ships entering
the barred zone about entente coun-
tries would be considered a hostile
act. were deuied at the department
According 10 press dispatches the
warning was served on Pres't Wilson
last week
The fate or the 600 American
refugees in Turkish territory remains
matter % doubt and viii until
Pres't Wilson. who now has this en-
tire situation before him for de-
cision. determines upon a course 20
be pursued The Turkish govern
ment has agreed % their departure
and AZ Alexandria Egypt are the
cruiser Des Moines and the naval
collier Caesar awaiting orders to
proceed 20 Beirul and rescue them.
The navy department however
refuses 10 send such orders until
there is removed all possibility Of
complications.
What action the president intends
10 take has not been indicated in
any way.
Report Is Denied.
The widely circulated announce
ment that Austria was willing t1
make material concessions 20 the
United States JIM order To prevent
any diplomatic break between the
countries is denied here OWING 20
the peculiar situation OF the AUS
TRAN EN- bassy here. where the newly
appointed ambassador- un-
der persuasion for the United States
has been unable 20 present his
credentials 90 the president poo Of
fetal statement is forthcoming. But
the embassy officials privately point
out that Austria Hungary was forced
70 accept the submarine policy ~
Germany and that 81 a change ~
moment now were 90 boz made -
would be seized upon by the anti
government party as am evidence
that a break between Austria and
Germany had come and the Dosslbil-
tides might De serious
The roundabout manner in which
negotiations must be carried on be-
tween the two countries SIS "a VERY
serious obstacle 20 securing results
state department officials say They
have. however. confidence ir AM
bassador Penfeld and he has been
given more or less of a free hand
In his present task.
F1eet Keeping IN shape
Various reports dealing with the
operations OF the Atlantic feet
caused comment here today. it Ves
explained 20 the navy department
thar the feet IS going right ahead
with its maneuver problems while az
the same time keeping in shape f0r
an emergency Under the original
plans the fleet was to have rrllsed
well south so that it would Pc or
the Atlantic entrance OF the Panama
canal one month from today. Rad
The original plans not been intertered
with c5ecause Of the European war
developments. it had been Intended
20 put the feet through che canal
and back again as "a supreme test n
It's worth This part OF the winter
program has been Abandoned but
naval officials declare that thls IL
the only change.