Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-02-23
u s. CONTINUES
WAITING POLICY
PRESIDENT WILSON EXPECTED
TO TAKE GERMAN CRISIS BE-
FORE CONGRESS AGAIN.
SEA WAR THE VITAL ISSUE
Detention of YarroWdaIe Prisoners
and Other Matters Not Regarded
as Serious Questions-Refu-
gees in Turkey May
Be Removed.
SEA WAR THE VITAL ISSUE

Washington, D. c., Feb. 20. = The
American government continues its
waiting policy toward Germany's sub
marine warfare although it is taken
for granted in all quarters that Presi-
dent Wilson will go before congress
on the situation before adjournment,
March 4, and ask for full power to act
in the protection of American life and
property.
The confident belief that this action
will be taken is based on the knowl-
edge that the president wishes to avoid.
calling an extra session of congress
if possible, and the reiterated declara-
lions of members of the administra-
ton that the present conditions under
which most of the American ships in
overseas trade have been frightened
into cancelling sailing dates can not
be permitted to continue.
The small number of vessels sunk
by submarines within the last few days
is attracting no little attention. Off
Gals always point out, however, that
this does not alter the fact that
through fear of the consequences
American ships and many of those of
other nationalities are remaining, in
port.
Sea War Only Vital Issue.
In administration circles it is stated
that the only serious question in dis
pute between the two countries is the
submarine problem. 1t was stated by
an authority close to the state depart
ment that the numerous other mat
tiers which have aggravated the break
between the two countries, the deten-
ton Of the Yarrowdale prisoners, and
other matters of this character, were
merely collateral issues.
At the state department, however, 1t
was stated that so far as official adj
vices went, the seventy-two American
citizens taken to Germany aboard the
Yarrowdale were still detained. This
government has been notified through
Spain that the Yarrowdale prisoners
would be released shortly" but no
official notice that they had been
turned loose has been forthcoming.
The department announced that the
peremptory demand for their release
has been forwarded to Berlin but that
SO far it had produced no reply. De
spite the communication through the
Spanish government, the administra-
ton was plainly concerned over the
continued detention of the prisoners.
The state department also is waiting
with some anxiety for the actual de-
parture of the trainload of consular
officers and other Americans, who, &C
cording to Berlin advices, will leave
Germany some time this week.
Will Remove Refugees.
Action to relieve the 1000 or more
American refugees under Turkish
Jurisdiction in Asia Minor now rests
with the President. The state depart
ment and the navy department have
placed the entire matter in his hands.
He will review the entire situation and
is expected to make a decision soon.
The Turkish foreign Office has agreed
to the departure Of the Americans and
the cruiser Des Moines and the collier
Caesar are awaiting orders to proceed
to Beirut to take them off.
To Appraise Fighting Forces.
Army and navy bureau chiefs have
been instructed to compile immediate
~ an exact appraisement OF the con-
dition of the regular fighting forces
of the country for the information OF