Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-02-24
ADMINISTRATION STILL
AWAITS COVERT ACT"

the Rev. Robert A. Haden, American
missionary. was killed aboard a vessel
CARRYING French troops is not likely to
make the sinking Of the Athos by
U-boat in the Mediterranean casus
/ belli with Germany.
While this is the first authenticated
| instance where an American life mas
becn sacrificed since the new German
subtna rine decree the admission by the
French government that troops were
carried on this ship may remove IL
from the class of offences which con-
stitute the American case against Ger
many.
The mere presence Of troops on board
ship would not necessarily give her
the character Of a transport, but IL
these troops were armed the vessel
would undoubtedly come under that
classification and give the submarine
commander the right to Sink her with
out warning.
Consul Sends Story.
United States Consul Keblinger at
Malt. sent the following dispatch:
Robert Allen Haden, Presbyterian
missionary stationed at Soochow, Chi
ma. was drowned when French liner
Athos was torpedoed without warning
| 210 miles east Of Malta On the 17th.
When the ship was struck he went TO
the aid of the Chinese on board. Oth-
erwise probably would have been sav-
| to1 lar frnOnS
on board. Not definitely ascertained II
ship was transport"
The U-boat, according to dispatches,
showed no number or flag and fired her
torpedo without warning.
Haden was a native of Nashville,
Tenn, but had been on duty at 500
chow, China.
1t appears to be certain that the pres
ident will not make this case the basis
of any action until he has had all the
circumstances investigated.
1t is still understood, however, that
the president will go to congress be-
fore the session ends. The Republican
activity designed TO bring about an ex-
ira session has admittedly disturbed
him. If anything it will impel him to
go before the present congress rather
than its successor.
The two features of the weeks deyel'
i opments are the Austrian affair and
the question of arming American mer-
chantmen.
1t was learned today that Austria
Hungary in note to the United
States informed this government that
any American ship in the prescribed
war zone would be sunk, and Austria
would follow Germany's lead in ruth
less U-boat warfare and that all past
pledges were Cancelled.
Austria Stands Firm.
In the face Of this Austrian stand
the president is said to have instructed
Ambassador Pentield at Vienna to in
quire If Austria really meant it. Mr..
Penfield got the emphatic reply q few
days ago that Austria did mean it,
with the added statement that if the
United States came to open hostilities
with Germany this country might con-
si3Gonitself at war with Austria.
nhad in diplomatic language,
is understood to na,re bee1--tth6 G .ef .effnn ffnnES-Oi
the Austrian situation. In the face OF
IT Mr.. PenfieId has apparently been in
structed to inquire again Of Austria If
she really meant this second threat as
well as the first.
Friends of the administration0say
the president is courting delay now for
reasons OF humanity which cannot be
| discussed. He wants to get Americans
lsafely out Of Austria Hungary and Asia
Minor and Germany. Furthermore he
wishes to have history record the fact
that he did everything possible to avert
war.
With respect to the arming of ships
flying the American flag the president
has refrained from making any move.
One cabinet member takes the view
that 2. A. S. Franklin. president Of the
International Mercantile marine, is In
a position to arm his ships and go
ahead without further help from the
government.
The whole issue whether or not the
American flag is to resume its place on
the high seas has admittedly reached a
uost perpleXing situation. Both at the
state department and at the navy de
partment 1t is said the president has
promised to make a decision soon"
1t is understood that this decision is
to be in favor of arming these vessels
and that action will be taken to liber-
ate American shipping now frightened
off the high seas by the German threat