Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-02-10
United States Will Place on
Germany Responsibility
for Future.
u. S. TO USE NAVY
PROTECT AMERICANS
Stated After Cabinet
Meeting That Course to BE- Pursued
Has Been Decided Upon and war
Will Not BE Declared.

Washington. Feb. 9.-The course to
be taken by the United States il Ger
many compols the use of force to safe
guard American lives and rights. has
been determined.
1t was learned today authoritatjvc-
ly after today's cabinet meeting that
in the event President Wilson goes
before congress again it will not be
TO ask for declaration OF war but TO
follow literally the words Of the ad-
dress in which he announced the
break of diplomatic relations and re.
quest authority to use means deemed
necessary to protect American sea-
men and people.
The president, it was stated, is as
anxious as ever to avoid war with
Germany, but also is as determined
as ever that American citizens and
ships shall be free to travel the high
seas unmolested His step, if taken,
will be to enforce that right and even
| then the issue of war or peace will
be with Germany
Nav conway Ships.
Any hostile action will have to
come in form with az interference
with an American right. Details Of
the government plan are not dis
cussed. 1t is known, however,, that
conveying and arming of merchant
ships are being considered.
NO new developments came today to
indicate that the overt act by Ger
many, regarded as inevitable, was
nearer az hand. Fewer reports Of
ships sunk came in, and none told Of
ficially of the loss OF an American
life. Further information received
about George Washington, negro fire.
man, lost on the Turino, indicated
that he probably was British SUBJ
| ject
The cabinet today with all mem
bers present except Secretary Nc
AdOO, practically every member took
to the cabinet information about the
activities of his department, in con-
nection with the general precautions
being taken. Questions discussed in.
cluded proposed emergency legisla-
ton. steps for protecting property,
mail problems precipitated by failure
of ships to sail from American ports
for Europe, economical issues and
army and navy preparations.
After the meeting, it was authori-
tatively stated that nothing had yet
happened to change the course pur.
sued by the government since the
break in relations with Germany
Resent German ImputatiOn.
The effect of tying up of ships in
American harbOrs, because Of fear
that they will be sunk if they enter
the war zone, is one of the questions
being given careful consideration.
Some RESENTMENT was expressed in
administration quarters today over
what was construed as an implication
contained in Germanys request of
Ambassador Gerard that old treaties
between Prussia and United States be
reaffirmed, that such action was
necessary to make certain that rights
of Germans in this country, guaran-
teed under those treaties, be made
secure. 1t was reiterated that the
American government fully intends
acting according to the spirit of the
treaties.
The issue asto Germany's treatment
OF Ambassador Gerard, which has
caused much ill feeling here, appears
to be cleared up. While officials had
had no word from Gerard since Feb
ruary 5, when he reported through
Copenhagen that his departure was
being delayed, they accepted press
dispatches as TO arrangements for his
leaving tomorrow, and said confirma-
ton was expected through slower Of
fetal channels.