The Sentinel=record., 1917-02-02
PRESIDENT REMAINS SILENT
 REGARDING GERMANY'S NEW
 SUBMARINE WARFARE POLICY

seemed 10 be whether communica- ton to Germany would carry only a warning or whether it would consider ] Germanys declaration sufficient ia
 itself for action All seemed to take if for granted that a decision had quickly been determined upon
 l. was pointed out that one reason for Withholding knowledge of the presidents course is the necessity of Completmg certain arrangements, many of d physical character to pre- i pare he country for eyenualiues which would be expected to follow a diplomatic break The sateauarding | Ol American ports, safety to Ameri. can. in Germany, the presence ot German ships in American harbors. and many other considerations are among them.
 The last core spondcnce with Ger. many, which demanded the total aban. donmeut of such submarine warfare as the central powers are atout to resume, declared that the United i States would sever diplomatic rela- lions "altogether" That is interpret ed as leaving no opportunity for hall. l way measures: it means the with dravaI of Ambassador Gerard and the whole embassy staff from Berlin and the closing of the German embassy here
 InasmucA as any action by the United States would be directed against Germany as a nation and not a2ainst her ambassador as an indi. vidIal. if was thoulht unlikely that a severance would be announced by the delivery ot passports to Count Von i bernstorff, bat would he preceded by formal notification to Berlin of the ! American governments decision The delivery of passports to the ambas sador would be left as a formolty ot f iu future
 l German}s 8 view as expressed here
 is that neutrals should not object to the German blockade masmuch as they have heen unable 10 raise the British blockade American ships ! venurine into The barred zones. il frankly was said. would be in danger of being sunk, but it was declared that Germany and her allies would give up the campaien of ruthlessnes5 should heutrals acting together cause Great Britain 70 raise her blockade or should there be peace conference l Austria and Turkey are expected 10 make similar ward zone declarations. , The first notification that Austria has joined Germany was in news dis patches from Paris. No official an. nouncement had reached here to. night
 The only announcement the German ambassador made today was to deny a published report that he had told friend he expected to receive his | passport within 4S hours. There was no denying, however, that Count Von Bernstorff fully expected the action of the United States to be swift and ! decisive lt became known that sey. eral times during the last week h. ] had attempted t0 disCOura2e Ameri- cans from sailing for Europe lie has declined 10 write letters of introduc- lion for friends and on other pretexts without disclosing his knowledge Of what was about to happen has done his best to discourage them from going to Europe
 Chairman Stone of the senate for eign relations committee, who has been in St Louis, telegraphed that he would arrive at 1 p. m tomorrow. He probably will see the president 1 during the afternoon
 On a previous oocasion the presi- dent told members of the committee that before breaking relations. with any country he would inform them, Senator Hitchcock ranking demo cratic member. was al the white house during the day but was given no information
 The usua! cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon. when fer the first time all the members may know definitely of the presidents at- 1 titudo Col F VI. House spent the day here but left tonight for New | York In addition 10 long talk with the president, he saw Secretary Ian sing. Counselor Polk of the state de. pertinent Secretary McAdoo and Postmaster General Bureson.
 Il was stated that the president had made no arrangements for going be. fore congress. but it was considered possible that he might decide to adopt this step at any time
 Public opinion in this country is being carefully considered not SD much as decisive force but as indi- eating the limit of the first step to be taken The officials realize that a severe mental wrench must he ex- pressed to turn public thought from