The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-09
TOTTERING ON EDGE
OF PRECIPICE
fContinued from page 4,

4
| is now proceeding.
With what is believed to be the
secretly tacit, but wholly informal
| sanction of this government. the
move today had developed along
three lines, namely:
First-Efforts of neutrals-conhnec
! now to almost all neutrals excepting
the United States-to have a confer
ence called at Madrid, with Vie
| 10 combining the war to its preselN
limits and II possible to get secre,
| or public assurances from Germany
that although she does not resclno
her '.barred zone" decree, she VIII
not harm American or other neutral
rights.
Second-An effort by this govern
ment to avoid break with Austria
BY having Austria modify her en-
dorsement of Germany's under-sea
cam paign and.
Third-and last, the expected ef-
forts Of German Ambassador Won
Bernstorff to preserve peace after ne
reaches Berlin, provided. OF course
the covert act" has not been COM
mitted by Germany by that time.
(This, apparently. is an independent
move on Bernstorff's part, though u
is admitted it can scarcely fail to
meet with this governments ap'
proval.)
Rumors Of this sub-surface peace
maintenance plan, have been preVa-
lent for several days, but not until
today did the full extent OF the move
become known.
The two big trump cards are the
secret moves of neutral diplomats
here to stall off war between the
United States and Germany and the
German ENJOYS known and agrees
sive desire to preserve the peace for
which he has long struggled.
Administration officials themselves
dc not admit that the moves are
going on under the surface, but the
United Press learned definitely that
the neutral program Is ambitious and
that the state department has been
at least unofficially advised OF the
neutrars intentions.
The Swiss minister here, DR.. Paul
Ritter, is leading, spirit in the con-
ference plan. He and the other neu-
trails have conferred among them
selves about keeping all the now neu-
trail countries out of the struggle and,
it is understood, Secretary of State
Lansing sat in with them at one SEES
sion.
In view Of the American hope OF
neutral support the proposed confer
ence idea is not unwelcome here. The
fact that none Of the neutrals Is
breaking with Germany, although
Bolivia and Brazil have threatened
to, and the fact that some Of the
neutrals might be forced into war on
the side of Germany makes the plan
acceptable, though it is understood
that the United States itself is not
asking the present action.
one reason why the concerted &C.
ton of neutrals is not unwelcome to
this government is that one Of theii
ayowed purposes Is to carry on tn:
fnht upheld by the United States
for two years, to prevent the uttel
| disintegration of International law.
Another reason is that the pro
posed conference is planned to Sc,
forth and protect the rights of small
countries-another contention Of the
United States throughout the war.
Belief grew here today that If the
expected covert act of Germany
does come, the United States may
merely drift into a state OF war
with Germany, without open declara
ton of hostilities from either side.
This belief is based on what Presi
dent Wilson told congress at the time
he severed relations with Germany
! that he would ask means to pro
| test American people and seamen II
the prosecution OF their lawful, legiti
mate errands on the high seas" He
did not say anything then, nor has he
made any move since then to fndi
cate he would request declaration
O. war.
On the other hand it was pointed
out by high official, he has through
two public procIamations, shown 9
tendency the other way. These were
regarding non-seizure OF ships and
bank deposits.
Fate of Two Steamers.
NEW YORK, Feb. 9.-The White
Star liners Baltic and Adriatic, the
largest ships which have defied the
German submarine decree since the
five day period of grace ended and
attempted to run the new blockade
of England, were subject of conflict
| ing reports in shipping circles today
One report was that the Baltic
which carried forty-four passengers
among whom were two Americans
had safely run the blockade and
reached Liverpool and that the line
officials were withholding announce
ment. The more general report wa!
that she had not yet arrived. The
last report from the Adriatic was thai
she entered the danger zone las
night.
The Adriatic is OF 24,541 tons, the
Baltic 23,sS7 tons. Captain William
Finch, who was commander Of thu
White Star liner Arabic when it wen
! down, commands the Baltic. Ameri
,,p, IN bor nascenpar lisf arc. Mis-.