Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-15
HOPE ALMOST GONE.

upon beTiiidIly, pToDduIy through Tue
Swiss minister to explain without de-
lay.
HOPE ALMOST GONE.
Coming as the incident does, on the
heels of the sinking of an American
vessel in the Mediterranean in violation
| of the law as construed by this gov :
eminent, heavy blows were struck at
the small lingering hopes of the presi-
dent that hostilities between the
United States and Germany might be
avoided.
The manner in which the news of
Germany's order to United States Min
lister Brand Whitlock to lower the
Am rican flag in Brussels reached this
government was not at first given out.
1t is probable. however. it came from
Ambassador Gerard in view of the fact
that Carl w. Alderman, United Press
staff correspondent with Gerard. cabled
the information from Berne yesterday.
ALL CAUTION CAST ASIDE.
Germany's persistence in her ruth
less U-boat destruction of neutral as
we'll as belligerent merchantmen is
helping to kill hope for continuance
of peace: entrance into the new ruth
less C-boat campaign yesterday by an
Austrian submarine added to the
crushing weight on this hope, especial
ly in view of the fact that the Amcri-
can ship sunk did not have contra
band OF war aboard.
Germany's position. apparently. is to
cast all caution to the wind; at least
she will not have regard for America
or anyone else.
In addition to this is the fact that
the nations business is fast piling up
--tied-up by Germany's blockade"
All these things are making authori-
ties dubious of the future.
The president decides to proceed de.
liberatelv. his friends say. But the ac-
emulation Of German misdeeds, and
the evidences that these will grow
rather than decrease, is rapidly fore
ing Wilson to his next step-that of
asking congress for protection OF
Americans on the seas.
While negotiations still proceed TO
prevent a break with Austria and other
central powers, serious turn was
given to the situation by the fact that
an Austrian submarine sank the Amer
lean schooner Lyman M. Law illegally,
according to reports.
AUSTRIAN BREAK COMING.
This situation may mean that 1t will
not be long before President Wilson
breaks with Austria.
Meanwhile. behind the curtain of
secrecy the preparations by the gov
ernmen+ are proceeding rapidly.
The Council OF National Defense
cnn xryfth rio na ali
Baker. Houston and Lane. is holding
daily sessions from 10 a. IN. to s q. IN.
At these conferences are gathered
some Of the biggest men in Americas
business, railroad and financial lines.
Men whose yearly incomes run into
several sets of figures and who are do
mating their time and labor to the gov
eminent in an effort to systematically
CO. ordinate American resources.
MODELLING MATERIALS.
Efforts of mobilizing war materials
are now occupying the councils at
tention with r. +. Stettinius, of j. T..
Morgan & Co., outlining the means he
followed placing large orders for the
entente powers. Plans for guarding
the nations railroads in case Of war
and max ing them availaoie to the ma
tional needs have been made but are
secret.
A remarkable intelligence system has
been perfected and has been operated
for several days.
Most Of the work is being done Sec
reilly. but it is declared that il war
should actually come, the rapidity with
which the nation would be able to
bring its resources into action is high
ly satisfactory to government heads.