The Washington herald., 1917-02-26
SOLONS EXPECT
WILSON TO ACT
BY WEDNESDAY
President Ready to Ask Au-
! thority for Move Against
Germany.
MAY CALL EXTRA SESSION
Executive viii Outline Berlin's Acts
Since UBoat Warfare Started.
Opposition Anticipated.


Authority to take the fatefuI next
STEP In the German crisis will be de-
manded OF Congress by President Wilson
during the coming week. probably on
Wednesday
There was a well-grounded belief among
administration officials last night that
the President will not alter his plans be-
cause Of opposition to his foreign policy
IN Congress. but will ask for all Of the
authority he may deem necessary to meet
any situation that may arise after Con-
gress adjourns next Saturday.
II Congressional opposition blocks this
request for authority. the President may
either call an extra session OF the Sixty
fourth Congress, or proceed to handle the
situation with such authority as he al
ready has.
When he goes before Congress the Pres
ident will outline for the benefit Of the
legislators and the country the events in
the international situation which have
transpired since relations with Germany
were broken OF on February 5. He will
review the various violations Of American
rights on the high seas which have char
acteriZed the ruthless German submarine
campaign, and will discuss the effect Of
the campaign on American commerce
Lansing Coming Home.
Secretary of State Lansing. now at
White Sulphur Springs. W. Va, Is ex-
pected to return to Washington on Tues
day with a compilation of data on the sub
marine campaign. 1t is believed that this
compilation will be laid before the Presi-
dent for use in preparing his address to
Congress. 1t will discuss all OF the sub
marine sinkings involving American
tights since the beginning of the ruthless
campaign. 1t will also outline the situa-
ton as to the armIng OF American mer-
chantmen
An ominous calm prevailed at the
White House and the State Department
yesterday. The President spent the day
quietly. and spent much time in his
study, apparently going over the inter
national situation At the State Depart
ment. Counselor Polk. IN charge during
the absence of SecretarySIansing, said
that the dispatches received during the
Gay contained nothing of Importance
for publication" There was apparent.
however. a renewed Tightening Of the
tension which. during the past two or
three days, had appeared to be relax
ing.
Expect Break Soon.
State Department oficfals saw little
hope OF reconciling the differences be-
tween the United States and Austria
and ii was stated that a break between
the two countries was a matter of q
short time. The continued refusal Of
the United States to receive the Gre
dentials of Count Tarnowski, the newly
designated Ambassador from Austria
has aroused considerable resentment in
Austria It was learned last night that
what amounts to a fiat demand that
Tarnowsh be either received or definitely
sent home, has been filed with the State
Department. Baron Zwiedinek. the
Austrian charge. called at the State De-
partment to discuss the matter yester-
day. and following his visit, 1t became
apparent that Austria is plainly dis
satisfied with the treatment accorded the
sador Dumba.
It is expected that the Austrian reply
to Ambassador Penfield's latest demand
for a statement of Austria's position on
the submarine issue will be forthcoming
within a day or two, and that 1t will
make the break inevitable.
Delay yexes Berlin.
The detention of Count Won Bernstorff,
the dismissed German Ambassador at
Halifax, while the British authorities
make a rigorous search of the Frederick
VIII. on which he Is sailing, has aroused
German resentment. The United States
has been told from Berlin that the treat
ment OF Americans in Germany would de-
pend upon the safe return OF the Bern
storff party. At the State Department
last night II was said that this govern
ment contemplates no action In the mat
ter. It was apparent. however, that Ger
many may seek to make an issue Of the
delay.
The State Department received from
Ambassador Page, at London, a dispatch
reporting the saving Of two American
sailors when the British sailing ship Gem
turion was sunk by a submarine. The
Centurion was warned, and the crew
escaped in the lifeboats
The two Americans. Edward Ellis and
John Handley. with the rest Of the crew,
were at sea in the open boats for nineteen
hours and were finally landed at Fall
mouth. The Centurion was sunk Febru-
airy 10.