South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-16
Realized at Washington That
Difficulty of COmmuniCa-
ton is Hindering Under
standing With Berlin.
SITUATION DISCUSSED
AT MEETING OF CABINET
Conditions in Turkey Are
Troubling PreSident-Noth-
ing Heard From AmbaS-
SadOr Since Feb. II.
International News Service

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. Feb Is. - The
United states awaits official con
hrmation Of the Berlin reports that
the Yarrowdale prisoners have been
released. This conformation may
take considerable time i'm view OF
the almost complete isolation of
Germany from the United States. in
addition il was admitted by state
department officials today that in
quiries have been directed 10 Berlin
10 find out the status OF American
consuls in Germany who have been
reported in newspaper dispatches A.
detained. This inquiry carries with
il no demand.
II was explained that DO wants to
frd out first OF all whether those
consuls actually stiu are in Berlin
and then why they are there. The
next step must of necessity depend
upon what this Information shall
divulge.
Meanwhile. IL was learned today
that the premptory demand for the
immediate freedom. for the Yarrow-
dale prisoners was completed last
night before the Berlin reports that
such action had been taken had
reached here. The demand already
may have been forwarded through
the Swiss minister here and by him
10 the Berlin foreign office from the
Spanish ambassador at Berlin
Nav Not Present Note.
Should the men actually have
been turned loose before 10 arrives
it may never be presented Inas-
much. however. as 10 sets forth in
sharp language that reports OF de
tention Of German subjects here.
and their alleged iII-treatment are
utterly false officials animated thar
it might be considered good policy
20 deliver the note
There is no desire on the part OF
the officials here 20 question the
truth OF the reports that the Var
rowdaIe prisoners have been released
and that the American-Belg re-
lief work may be continued To is
realized that with communication
betveea here and Berlin kept open
under serious difficulty that may
take SOME time for the official word
20 get through. But ia view of the
fact that the Ysrrowdale prisoners
originally were ordered freed and
afterwards taken prisoner and that
Minister Whitlock's dispatches from
Brussels seems 20 take an unusually
long time 20 reach this city officials
decline 10 make any comment on
the situation az this time One high
Official or the state department de-
clared that he viii not accept any
word that the Yarrowdale prisoners
have been released until they ac-
tually are reported on neutral soil
Fear Trouble in Turkey
Conditions in Turkey are also
troubling the president The last
report received from Am oassador
EIkus was dated Feb u. Sec'y
Lansing has refused 20 make b. pub
lie. IL is understood. however that
it reports a growing anti-American
feeling everywhere throughout the
Ottoman empire So Ear. however.
IL is understood that Americans have
not been molested
The ca binet this afternoon dis
cussed the entire international Sit
ualN e. growing out or the crisis Win
Germany To IS understood that the
navy department reported that q.
had in reserve ar Atlantic coast
points some 500 guns thar could De
used for armlng American merchant
men should - finally be decided 10
authorize such action.
Announcement that Halifax VIZ.
be used as the port Of search Cor
vessels bound FOR Scandinavia and
Holland ports has greatly pleased
officials here II means that the
neutral liners now will resume their
saiIings as they will be enabled 10
reach their various ports without
being subjected 20 the hazard 20
the German war zone That This
action was taken by Great Bntaia
is big diplomatic victory far
CONTINUED ON PAGE FOURD