The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-13
President, In Answer to Proposal Through Swiss Minister, Says No Nego- tiations Are Possible While "Warfare on Neu- trals" Continues.
Leading Men Believe Basis of Understanding on U- Boat Tactics Is Nearer Washington Seeks Re- newal of Sussex Promise bv Kaiser.

Washington, Feb. 13.-The United States government yesterday informed the Swiss minister that unless ana untir' the imperial government or | Germany cancels it's submarine decree of Jan. 31. it will not enter into any discussion regarding the attitude or that government toward neutrals.
 The United States has, therefore, finally closed the door to any German appeal for barley over the issues pe- tween them short of a W1thdraWal or the offensive submarine blockade es- tablished by Germany around the British Isles, off the coast Of France and N.- Mediterranean littoral.
 The publication of the memorandum of the Swiss minister and the reply or this country makes an unusual pro- cedure on the part of the government. Previously, communications of this kind have been withheld from pubu- cation.
 A BLOW AT PROPAGANDISTs. l The action of the government in 1 giving to the press the facts in COL .nection with the efforts of neutrals to induce Germany to modify ler submarine policy, is understood t1 have been prompted by determina- tion to end the controversy with Ger many through unofficial sources and 70 discourage the propaganda inaug- | urated by Teutonic influences to con,- pei this government to recede from l it's attitude toward the German gov ernment.
 1 The ipterpr .tat.on placed on the l German offer to discuss a subject up l on which the United St1tes has d. ready finally acted by withdrawing sks l Ambassador at Berlin and sendina l away :ne German Ambassado dor-is that 1 the P.e. dent has decided to call the hluT e.f the Kaiser's government CT that Berlin is convinced of the inef- fectiveness of the submarine block ade.
 The action of the President was received with expressions of approval | in Cabinet, Congressional and diplo- matic circles.
 The opinion was generally voiced ] that the President will not recede in l the slightest degree from the deter mined stand adopted by him when he notified Congress that the United States should no longer maintain re- lations with the German Empire.
 What the next step will be is a matter of conjecture. It is appar- ently up to Germany to decide wheth- CT it will call off it's submarine cam paign involving the rights of neutrals or whether it will go through with it regardless of the consequences.
 Congress Gratified. l
 The one outstanding fact in Wash ington is that Congress, without pc litical distinction, is highly gratif1eo at the resolute action of the govern ment in meeting the first indication on the part of Germany that it has ventured too far in taxing the good will and patience of this govern. ment.
 r It is not believed that the President will make any other move at present. That will be decided at the Cabinet 1 meeting today, when it is also expect ed the policy to be followed in pro- tecting the lives and property of Americans at sea will be definitely de- cided.
 The next move is expected to come from Germany. It may take the form of an announcement that the Kaiser government has decided to withdraw its submarine decree, which is con sidered highly improbable. or may be suddenly conveyed in a press bulletin announcing that Germany has com mitted an overt act, which will not permit of any solution short of a state of war.
 The President and his government are prepared for either contingency Even the representatives of some of the neutral nations who have sought to avert hostilities between Germany and the United States now admit that nothing short of the improbable can cel1ation of Germany's submarine de- crce can prevent such an issue. They expect an act on the part of Germany that will precipitate war.
 Considers Arming Ships. | The-phsse of the naatter which is giving the President and his advisers the most ,.cern is that relating tc the policy to be followed in protecti F American lives and ships. The Sta e Department believes that American ships should be provided with de- fensive means and should sail accord ing to their schedules. The Navy Department is apparently opposed 'tc supplying government armor and armament if it is possible for the private shipping companies to pur. chase it from ordinance concerns.
 The shipping companies have stat ed that they cannot purchase such equipment in the open market, be- | cause there is none to buy. It is l he1ieved that at the Cabinet moetine