Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-08
GERARD IS DETAINED
AME RlCAN AMBASSADOR AND HIS
STAFF ARE NOT PRESENTED
TS-ALllES GUARAN.
TEE Won BERNsTORFF SAFE
CONDUCT.
BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.
international News Service Stat
Correspondent

'iutei Hdtio-i~A NEWS Service StaU
Correspondent
Washington, D. G., Feb. S.--Pres-
sure to have American warships con-
voy American merchantmen on their
regular sailings has been renewed on
the White House and the State DE-.
partment Officials today declared,
however, that it would not be success
full. The Administration realized that
the holding OF nearly all American ill.,
ers in the Atlantic in home ports In
effect makes good the German block
ade threat But it Is stated that, In
view Of the manner in which subma-
fines now are operating, true naval
strategy absolutely precludes using
warships for conveys and thus split
ting up the fleet
1t is believed in official circles that
number of the vessels now held In
port will be started for Europe very
soon. sAnd, If plans now in process
of formation garry thru, these vessels
will be armed to protect themselves.
This would have the effect of fore
ing the issue with Germany as these
vessels will steam to ports other than
Xirkwall, it is stated. Until complete
arrangements for these sailings are
made. however, no announcement Of
! r.ans will be made,
| Meanwhile the President and his ad-
| yisers are watching the status OF
/ Americans IN Berlin very closely.
| There is increasing resentment over
the action of Germany in Withholding
passports from Ambassador Gerard
and members of his staff This, how
ever, will not force the hand of the
President. The State Department Is
expediting arrangements for the de-
parture Of Count Won Bernstorif and
his staff. France already has granted
safe conduct and England will follow
suit, Il is learned.
Secretary Lansing said today mat
no complete report OF the sinking OF
the California has been received. Con-
sui Frost at Queenstown has said that
the Anchor Liner was torpedoed with
out warning He will get affidavits
covering all of the circumstances, for
ward them here Meanwhile this gov.
ernment will take 40 action in the
matter The fact that the California
carried a gun astern for defense, Sec
rotary Lansing said today. made no
difference in her status, as this gun
/ clearly was mounted for defense pur-
poses and apparently was not used,
There Is no change in the Austrian
/ status, The new Austrian Ambassa-
/ dor will not I've received BY the Fresi-
4 dent or permitted to present his ere
dentials until it IL learned exactly
what Austria meant III the memorial
dunn handed to Ambassador Penfeld
While this seemed to endorse the Ger
man plan OF unlimited submarine war
fare it's statements were ambiguous
and Ambassador Penheld was askeu
30 have it interpreted. Until this is
done ald a reply is received the
Austrian situation will remain un-
changed.
Gerard Detained.
Washington, d. G., Feb. S.~lnforma-
tion that Ambassador Gerard. his en-
bassy assistants. the American consuls
in Germany and the prisoners taken
to Germany on the steamer Iarrow-
dale are detained in Germany was
received by the State Department to-
day. They are not held as hostage
it is officially stated, but their position
yet may lead to serious embarrass-
ment. The German government sum.
ply has withheld passports to any OF
the American officials "for the pres =
ont' according to the information re-
ceived here. A large nuWber Of Amer
leans had been able to get TO neutral
countries before the present action
a was taken, but it il understood mono
will be allowed to 60 until certain mat
ters under consideration are cleared
/. up
? The German action Is not precau-
tionary for the fate of former Ambas-
sador Won Bernstortf, officials here
say II followed the receipt OF news
!, in Berlin that the United States had
, actually seized German war'oound
p ships. Officials said today that denial
o that any such action had been taken
r would, they hoped, clear the atmos'
X phere. No vessel not in litigation has
been taken over, It is said, and this
will be emphasized to Germany thru
i. regular channels.
i
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