The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-10
WILSON MOVES CAREFULLY,
WON'T TAKE ACTION UNLESS IT'S
RIGHT,
Expediency Will Have No Part in Dc.
termining What This Country Does
I'm Connection With Breach OF Re-
latiens With German Government.

Washington, Feb. 5.-While the
United States stands before the world
court OF public opinion in the anx-
ious waiting period which will deter
mine peace or war with Germany,
President Wilson is determined thea.
shall be no word or deed to merit
reproach, even from Germany herself.
Nothing Is to be done which is not
fully justified by the laws Of nations
and humanity; nothing is to be done
for expediency; nothing is to be done
which 10 not legal and just. With n
hope for peace and readiness TO
meet war IL 1t must be. the president
has made II clear to all his officials
that the course Of the United States,
dihicult as 1t is, must be entirely be-
yond criticism.
To that end German rights and
property In the United States are to
have full protection of law and the
president wishes every American cit-
sen to forbear from any thought or
act, which might lead his country
nearer to war.
Hope that Germany might at the
last moment modify her declaration of
unrestricted submarine warfare was
almost dissipated today by news dis
patches from Berlin which gave the
word Of high German ofiicials that
there would be no turning back.
With that hope waning American
officials now only await an actual
demonstration Of how the new decree
Will affect American rights. The news
or the killing Of an American sea-
man In the shelling of boats of
the British steamer Eavestone is not
now regarded as the long feared overt
act. It will be thoroughly investi-
gated before 1t Is assigned to its prop
er place a. a factor in the situation.
! Meanwhile Austria's case still Is un-
determined. While 1t is known that
u'e dual monarchy has officially ad-
hered to Germany's declaration, as it
now stands before the state depa re-
ment. her announced intentions are
somewhat different from Germany,
but Il 10 doubtful II there can be a
real distinction. Rupture Of relations
with Austria seems mo less certain
than II ala. but the situation must go
.}ArnI eapite 1rscess1 hsScss 4
~ - ~ 8 W ncSd. 4 !. ~ on js' s.
Alth6usli ensroSstd In the task OF
preparing the country for any even
tuality. President Wilson has not lost
sight Of the participation neutrals
must have In the terms Of peace
terms which he hopes will insure the
world against an6snf pr connagration.
There are intima( ons Of thoughts
Of q conference o. eutrals to reach
an agreement on wndt neutrals may
ask when the time comes. It Is known
thar this suggestion is being presse 4
by at least one OF the European ncu-
trails which has been among the chief
sufferers from the war aud 1t is be-
ueved that President Wilson has re-
garded 1t with favor. It is realized.
however. that the idea is still in nebu
lous form.
The first step to place congress for
mally on record In support of the
break with Germany was taken in the
senate today and IT Is expected to bo
followed In the house. Chairman
Stone Of the foreign relations commit
tee introduced q resolution indorsing
the presidents action and It WIS
placed In parliamentary position 10
be adopted tomorrow. Republica MS
have given assurances of support.
Preparations for the departure Of
Count Won Bernstorff and his staff
progressed to the point where it was
decided that the former amba
as well as all the German con.,uls
In the United States-a party of 500
or more-will go home by the short
est route. probably through Holland
or Denmark. 1t was first proposed
that they go by way Of Cuba AMI
Spain and thence through France or
italy into Switzerland but the British
government is willing to grant the
request for q safe conduct throu sh
the allied blockade only by the short
est and most direct route. The Swiss
legation Is arranging the details Of
the departure and the German party
Is expected to be On its way next
week.
The work Of coordinating tho w.
tons resources went steadily forward
thrOnUhnnt hD a.,