The Washington times., 1917-02-05
WILSON CONFERS
WITH WAR CHIEFS
President Takes First Steps to
Outline Plans in Event
of War.
Continued from First Page.)

Inc ITeSluenI stepped along inc
dim corridors to an elevator that was
to Secretary Daniels office.
In Congress committees of both
branches rushed the work of putting
into final shape the army and navy
appropriation bills, while the Senate
adopted a resolution indorsing the
action of the President in severing
relations with Germany.
Asks Amendment.
Secretary Daniels let it be known
that he had requested Chairman Pad
gett, of the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee, who conferred with him this
morning, to introduce an amendment
to the naval bill giving the President
authority to commander all private
ship building yards in the interest of
Government work.
That he will meet with no opposi
tion from the private owners was evi
deHced by the numbers of them who
| called on the Secretary today, anc
announced their readiness to turr
over their plants to the use of tht
Government. Among these were
James 3. Bonner, of the United State:
Steel Corporation, Vice President
Grace, of the Bethlehem Steel Com
pany, and representatives, of the Rem
ington ammunition factory.
No Comment Made.
Newspapers announcing these prep
arations were read without comment
at the Germany embassy, where Coun
Won Bernstorff still awaits the com
\ pletion of arrangements for his saft
conduct back to Germany.
There is strong reason to believ,
that efforts are being made to have
: the ambassador and his stan TAX
passage on the American line steamer
| st. Louis, which has been held d
her dock in New York ever since
the arrival of the German note.
As far as can be ascertained n
consideration has been given to tho
idea OF furnishing the ambassado!
with a naval vessel, nor has the Nav
Department been requested to furnist
a convoy for the St. Louis or any
other American ship.
Status Unchanged
The status OF Count Tarnowski, thu
new Austrian Ambassador, remains
undetermined, despite the receipt o
a note from Austria which is under
stood to be almost identical with tina
from Germany.
Publication of the Austrian note Il
being withheld, and officials Of th'
State Department refused today L
confirm the character of its contents
The impression gains ground that th'
President is anxious IL possible no
to extend the rupture with the Cen
tral powers by breaking with Austrii
at this time, If ii can be avoiped.
j As the day wore on with still n
news to show the commission by Ger
many OF the fateful overt act, tina
would bring on war, there was som
lessening in the tension, but none II
the activities at the Capital.
stiu-Has Hope.
The President seems still to clinI
to the hope that the overt act' will
not be committed. that Germany vii
realize the enormity OF the offens
against humanity which she had de
termined upon.
Yet II was stated authoritativel
that there was no confirmation Il
washington for the press reports fror
Germany that the German govern
ment is considering a modification o
her decree. which. while safeguard
ing the rights of neutrals would nc
prejudice her purpose to starve ou
England.
Attuned To Reports.
The diplomatic ear OF the State D,
partment is now attuned to the T,
ports from neutral countries concerl
ing the reception of the President
appeal that all neutral powers folio
the example of the United States an
sever relations with Germany.
N Thus far, II is stated, nothing de
mite in the way of an official respons
has been received.
There is reason to believe, hov
ever. that the American Governmer
has in mind that out of the preser
crisis may develop a compact of mel
trails for the protection OF their right
and a preservation OF the principles {
international law.
Crisis Is Here.
> With all the hopes that may sti
=, exist, however, officials are mindf'
of the fact that the Nost critics
period I'm the situation has only jul
been reached, in view OF the fact tht
today marks the expiration OF II
hye-day period Of grace allowed b
Germany for neutral vessels to g
out OF the prescribed area.
/ The sudden activities Of the A
, miujstration and OF the Administr
tion leaders in Congress raised som
what the hopes. of the military ar
naval experts, Who, in the absence
any definite knowledge OF the court
; the President was prepared to follo'
were fearful that valuable time WI
, going to be wasted which should
|, used in instant preparations.
White House Silent.
Even now, however, the Whit
House remains silent on the one reso
which army officers regard as impe
alive, namely the immediate passas
. of a universal military training bi
t under which the War Departmel
could proceed at once to raise al
J train an army OF several million me
r The final steps were taken at Il
6; State, War, and Navy Department
!. TO place these important centers
information on a war footing. Spe
iaI passes for newspapermen were Il
sued today. but none was allowed
correspondents of German newspi
pers. published either'in this counti
or abroad.
Navy CenSorsbIp.
In addition the Navy Departures
has established the strictest possib
censorship over all information G