Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Feb. 18, 1917, edition 1 / Page 1
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f ill? r-r ; PUBLISHED AT "CHARLOTTE, THE METROPOLIS OF THE CA ROLINAS" PRICE ;F1VE CENTS. , CHARLOTTE, N. C. SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 18, 1917. ; FOUNDED 1869 ALL GUARDSMEN ARE ORDERED TO QUIT BORDER ., ' I; ';" Southern Boundary , Patrol Will Be Left to Regulars. MOVEMENT STARTS AT ONCE And Last Unit Is Expected to Have Entrained for Home by First Week in March. Washington. Feb. 17. Orders were Issued by the War Department today directing General Funston to begin the immediate demobilisation of all the guard units remaining in border camps, and It is expected that the last troop train will be on Its way North by March 7. General Funston will have on the botder nearly M.000 tegular troops disposed along the Une from Browns ville to Yuma, Ariz., on plans worked out by the general staff. Secretary Baker emphasized that the withdrawal of the State troops Is In no way connected with the crisis with Germany, but carries out t pol icy determined on long ago. The or der was Issued after General Fun ston had reported that he had enough regulars to meet -any border exigen cies that might arise. Many guard units already had been ordered home during the past few weeks, and the number of guardsmen remaining and to be demobilised under today's order Is about 61.000. Administration officials are under stood to have been convinced by the reports of special observers for the State Department and the Army that there la little possibility of a recur rence of serious raids. It also la desired that the Carranza Government be embarrassed as little as possible In Its efforts to control Mexico, and the presence of a large army at the border has been a con stant cause of complaint from Mexi cans. The reduction Is expected by officials hare to have, a beneficial ef fect on relations between ., the .two countries, especially Just ' now when diplomatic intercourse Is being re sumed. SIX MORE STEAMSHIPS , START FOR EUROPE Among Them Is Big Holland American Liner -One " Other Turns Back. "" 7 New York, Feb. 17 Six steamships sailed from here for European porta today, including the big Holland American liner Noordam. None of them, as far as could be learned, car ried passengers. The British steam ship Verdi started for Liverpool, but turned back and anchored off Quar antine after proceeding as far as Bandy Hook. No explanation was forthcoming as to the reason for the j etui a. Besides the Noordam, the vessels that put to sea today with freight cargoes were the British steamer Ro man Prince, the Dutch steamer Texel, the Spanish steamers Marnegro and Mouro and the Swedish steamer Hel sinki! bo rg. it was announced that the Noor dam, bound for Rotterdam, would put into Halifax Instead of Kirkwall for examination by the British authori ties, but whether any of the other vessels would follow the same course could not be ascertained. AMERICAN CONSULS IN GERMANY HEARD FROM They Will Arrive in Switzerland Tuesday, Legation at Berne Is Advised. " Berne, via Parts, Feb. 17. The American legation received notice to day that the American Consuls who were left in Germany when Ambas sador weraru Pneo, wm arrive in Switzerland via Schaffhausen Tuesday .J?"; "rf.1 number of American residents in Ger many will arrive with them. The American Consuls were left be hind either because the Ambassador was unable to communicate with them, or because they needed more time in which to setUe up. their af fairs. The other Americans were un able to have their passports vised in time to leave with the Ambassador. BODIES OF MEXICAN VICTIMS ARE BURIED Campbells Ranch. N. M. By au tomobile Courier to Hachita, Feb. 17. The bodies of A. P. Peterson, Bur ton Jensen and Hugh ACord, Amerl ean victims of the Corner Ranch bor Jer raid last Monday, were burled ere today. Mounted Mormon scouts patrolled the border nearby while tst services were being said ever the test of Mexican victims. Foar of a .rarpriae mtUck upon the)' amertenns during th funeral caused lie Mormons to take unwonted pre sautlona Troops of the Twelfth Uni ted 8tates Cavalry also were within nght of ths funeral -party, keeping p their steady watch on the inter national boundary AFFIDAVITS ON SINKING OF STEAMER OBTAINED Waahlnrton. Feb. 17. Ambassador Page, at Rome, has obtained affidavits l from the officers and crew of the j American schooner Lyman M. Law, recently sunk by a submarine In the ; ' Mediterranean. A brief summary of the affidavits, submitted to the State : Department today, said the survivors j were of the opinion that the subma-i 4a was nf r!rman nationality. Pre- I "Vlous dispatches -nad said-U'waJ'aA Aastrial vessel witnout nag. ueiore ( the Law was sunk, the dispatch said, about 11.400 worth of stores were, taken oS the Law by ths submarine's : grew. - 1 . CARRANZA'S NEW ENVOY TO THE UNITED STATES ldn&cio Bonillas has been appointed by Car ranza Ambassador to the United States, succeeding Ambassador Desig nate JSUseo Arredondo. He was Sec retary of Communications In the Mex ican Government. Have Balance of Power, but Can't Decide How to Use It. Only Agreement Is to Meet Again, After Sounding Party Lead ers in the House. Washington, Feb. IT. Four of the five so-called independent Represen tatives-elect who miy have the bal ance of power In the organization of the next House, conferred here to night to make plans for co-operation. but failed to agree' to' act as a unit on any proposal. , They did agree to meet again shortly before the conven ing of the new Congress,' after sound ing out both Democratic- and Repub lican leaders as to . their attitude on reforms favored, generally by the tar dependents. -v&KiXft w M The- conferees a9tedgerfhem- selves to caucus with any party before their" next meeting. Those' present were Representatives-elect Fuller,' in dependent, of Massachusetts, and Representatives Martin, Progressive protectionist, of Louisiana; London, Socialist, of 'New York, and Randall, Prohibitionist, of California. Repre sentative Schall, Progressive, of Min nesota, was absent from the city. The personnel of the new House la expected to Include 215 Republicans, 215 Democrats and Ave Independents. Two hundred and eighteen votes are required to elect a Speaker. , Coincident with the meeting of the Independents, It developed that on the Republican side of the House, where a split had been threatened over the Speakership, a peace propo sal had been brought forward under which the so-called Progressive wing is expected to Join- in- supporting Representative Mann for Speaker on the condition that Representative Lenroot, of Wisconsin, be made floor leader. The Republicans have by no means abandoned hope of organizing the new House, but the Democrats say Speaker Clark is sure of at least two Independent votes, and probably will also get on the first, ballot the one additional necessary to elect RUSH OF ALIENS TO BECOME NATURALIZED On One Day, More Than 50, 000 Certificates of Citizenship Were Issued. Washington, Feb. 17. During the , tw0 weeka glnce the dIpiomatlc break ' lth n.,.manv ,,,,.,.. , ! the United States, notably German and , Austrlans, have flocked to the courts to become American citizens In such numbers that Labor Depart ment - officials said today the total could not even be estimated. An idea of the unprecedented rush for natu ralisation papers Is afforded by the fact that on one day alone more than 60.900 certificates of naturalisation were issued. For the first time In the history of the Department factory and mill employers with large numbers of for eign workers on their pay .rolls, will aid their employes in si wholesale way to become ' American ' cttlsens. Tens of thousands of application blanks will be distributed among such employers to facilitate their reaching employes who desire natu ralisation. BOY SCOUTS READY. New York, Feb. 17. There are the 00,000 trained Boy Scouts In T,; a.. .,a k. miuj fn. i a NattAnai unon emergency, Colon H. Livingstone, ice, announced tonight Of this im - ber. It is stated, 150,000 are active members of the organisation and 150, 000 are former members. Growing Charlotte Have More and ' -JBdfer-School v Facilities., DO NOT AGREE DESTINATIONS! AND MANIFESTS TO RE SECRET News About Shipping No Longer to Be Given Out. PROTECTION FROM U-BOATS Treasury Department Orders i That No Word as to Port of Any Vessel Be Made Public. - Washington, Feb. 17. The practice of making public the destinations and , manifests of merchant ships leaving American ports is to be discontinued during the crisis with Germany as a step in the protection of American interests from the German submarine campaign. No word as to the port for which any vessel sails or the cargo she car ried will be made public by the Gov ernment officials who grant clearance, and the great merchant fleet carrying j American commerce abroad will come and go with all the secrecy of war vessels in time or war. This decision of the Treasury De partment will be made effective at once, it is said tonight, as a measure of precaution. It already Is virtually in effect at New York, and will be applied within 48 hours to every other American port. Ship owners who wish to announce the destination of their vessels and the1 nature of their cargo will remain at liberty to do so, but otherwise ves sels may sail without their movement becoming known. It was pointed out that announce ment of sailings from American ports for1 points in the German war sone would be of great value if communi cated to submarines which would thus be enabled to lie in wait for their prey. Should the departure and des tination of a vessel become known, despite the Government's precautions, to warships which might lie in wait for it, or to submarines operating In the war tone, It Is felt that the with holding from publication of the ship's manifest still would prevent the dis semination of knowledge as to wheth er the vessel carries contraband. In line with. the Government's poli cy, abt! at Cape Henry, Va., and Sftnt ifceyV Fla, were instructed several ": ago 1 to cease reporting the; pu., . of, ahtpi. Observers at other points, it Is thought, will short ly reoeive similar instmJUona, -it such instructions havt not already, been sent - ' ' ' TEXT OF PROTOCOL IS MADE PUBLIC Proposed by Germany as Sup plement to Prussian-American Treaty. Washington, Feb. 17. The full text of the explanatory and supplemental clauses proposed by Germany as a protocol to the Prussian-American treaty was made public today at the State Department. Briefly, the protocol amplifies the treaty so as to place Germans in this country and Americans In Germany in case of war on exactly the same foot ing as to all property rights, freedom from detention, concentration camps or seauestratlon of property, that are applicable to other neutrals. Nationals of either country mignt remain tuiiy undisturbed in the other country as long as they please, and not for the nine months period provided, in the treaty. Merchant ships of either Nation mlKht not be seised or driven to sea. unless under a safe conduct to their horns ports through all possible ene- mles. and their captains ana crews may not De maue prisoners. Officials here have pointed out that while Germany's violation of several provisions of the treaty may be taken by this country to have vitiated the convention, the United States will still continue to live up to its spirit Two proclamations already "have guaran teed that German ships or private German property will not even in case of war, be seized and used by this Government Little interest Is shown by the Stats Department officials In the German proposal. There Is no indication that any Immediate action will be taken. THREAT OF PRESIDENT BROUGHT THEM TO TIME e Print Paper Makers Were Con fronted with Likelihood of Action by Government Washington, Feb. 17. Personal ac tion by President Wilson to restore normal prices of print paper and a special session' of Congress to pass remedial legislation, confronted print) paper manufacturers, it became known 'today, before they gave up their fight against ths Government's attempts to restore normal conditions in the trade.' The President's intentions were placed before ths manufacturers by Secretary McAdoo, who told them that ths Administration did not in tend to see an alleged monopoly. ' through extortionate prices placs greater restraints on ths press than the Government itself was empower ed te place..' At the sams time,' the Federal grand Jury in New Tork was. preparing to bring indlctmenta j The Federal Trade Commission to- j day considered details through which' ths proposal could be placed in effect It is- understood . an announcement formally accepting the proposal, prob ably will be made within a day or two. i RAILROAD HEAD RETIRES. Norfolk. Va, Feb. 17. Raymond Dupuy, president of the Virginian Railway, tendered his resignation to- 'day to the board of directors, to be- i come effectivenot later than MajLim ""Mrr'Dopuy announced that it was I his Intention to retire tov private life, denying that there was friction be tween himself and directors to the management of the property. He will continue to reside in Norfolk. ANOTHER HEAVY BLOW DELIVERED IN FRANCE BY ARMY OF BRITAIN German Lines Along Ancre Pene trated Along Wide Front. Mesopotamia Successes Also Claimed. Attacking in force the German lines on both sides of the River Ancre. In France, British troops Saturday pen etrated about 1,000 yards on a front of one mile and a half south of the stream, and gained groumTonthe northern side. The latest success follows on the British capture of Grandcourt also on the southern bank, and brings them within a short distance of both Miraumont ' and Petit Miranmnnt northeast of Grandcourt Field Mar shal Hairs forces also carried an im portant German position north of the Ancre, on a front of about 1.000 yards north of the Balliescourt farm. German counter-attacks were with stood successfully by the British .who report that they Inflicted heavy losses d pESiS. eluding five officers. Further north' ward on the front in France. British troops carried out successful raids into the German lines. Continuing their advance on Kut-el-Amara, in Mesopotamia, British troops have taken more positions from the Turks, and prisoners captured Thursday number nearly 2,000, in cluding 89 officers. On the right bank or tno Kiver Tigris, the British seized SST tirements in this region. British shipping aggregating 7,485 tons, was reported sunk Saturday as the result of the German blockade measurea Three of the four steam ers sunk, the Queenswood, 2,701 tons; Marion Dawson, 2,300 tons, and Marie Leonhardt, 1,468 tons, were presum ably submarine victims. The fourth, the Lady Ann, of 1,011 tons, was sunk by a mine. German reports attribute marked success to the operations Of Individ ual U-boats within, the last few daya One submarine, it is announced, sunk 50,000 tons ofshipping In a 24-hour period, whileanother averaged 7,000 tons a day fos five days. The renewal of fighting along the Moldavian frontier of Rumania was a new development of the last 24 hours. Berlin reports the beginning of a bat tle Saturday morning north of tne Oitus Valley. Whether the Russo Rumanian or the Austro-Germaa forces were the aggressors was not In dicated. . Petrograd has not yet re ported on this operation. In the field of aviation, the naval contingents have been mors than Usually active, German naval air planes bombarding military objects near Dunkirk and Coxy de. behind the Entente lineaon the northern end of the Franco-Belgian front, and also throwing bombs upon merchant ship ping in the Downs, off the English coast-: w British -naval . machines bom- caraea xne lintateues airdorae .build ings and shipping at Bruges. Belgium. The Swiss Minister at Washington has given to Secretary Lansing full information concerning the departure of 88 former American Consuls and their families in Germany. Turkey has given to Ambassador Elkua at Constantinople expressions of friendship for the United States, and f hope that friendly relations may continue. ESPIONAGE BILL IS ATTACKED IN SENATE Senator Cummins Says Tyrants of Old Never Had Authority It Would Give President. Washington, Feb. 17. Provisions of the Administration's espionage bill giving the President sweeping author ity in proceeding against foreign agents, were attacked by several Sen ators today, and Senate leaders indl cated tha. some of the more drastic sections might be modified before passage was asked. Senator Cummins led the attack, denouncing particularly the extensive powers that would be given the Preat- dent to use the Army and Navy to preserve neutrality. Senator Lee de- Glared the provision for safeguarding defense secrets was too drastic. The general provisions of the blU were defended by Senator Walsh, and Senators Overman and Reed support ed them. Tyrants of olden times. 8enator Cummins declared, never dared to ex ercise the authority over their people which would be given to the Presi dent in the espionage bilL He re- fatrraA nart1r.nla.rlv to tha linn making it a criminal offense in time vi war ior any unv in Tioiausn oi regulations to be prescribed by the President" to collect, record, publish or communicate information relating to armed forces of the country. -"Such a provision delegates to tbe President" said Senator Cummins, "the right of absolute suppression of free-speech and absolute overthrow of a free press." Senator Reed suggested that news papers should be curbed in disclosing National defense secrets, especially in time of war. JO-JO SAYS Rain and colder; rata tomorrow. It Is sometimes better to have loved and lost ! ' v D&inaiid afolder CLOSE WATCH IS BEING- KEPT ON CUBAN SITUATION Minister Gonzales and Consuls Ordered to Make Reports. NO DESIRE TO INTERFERE Unless It Shall Become Neces sary to Give People of Island a Stable Government. BULLETIN. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Feb. 17 When Liberal forces took possession of the sugar mill at Pslma Sorrlaoo owned by President Menocal today, they captured two brothers of the President. The Menocal brothers will be brought here for safe-keeping. Washington. Feb. 17. A close watch on the situation created in Cuba by the insurrection of the Lib erals was continued by the State De partment today, but no further steps were decided on. and official reports indicated no radical development either in the plans of the rebels or those of the Government The rebels still hold cantlago and Camaguey, and minor successes In small towns and In the country near by were reported. The Government troops, it was said, were moving steadily towards the occupied dis tricts. Orwers were sent today to Minis ter Gonzales, the 12 American con sular officers in Cuba and the com manders of the American naval ves sels at Havana, Santiago and Guan tanamo. to make a thorough investi gation not only of the military phases of the situation, but of its economic and political aspect. It was declared that unless made necessary by devel opments, no step towards interfer ence by the United States would be taken until the reports had been studied. Administration officials have made it plain that there Is no disposition to interfere with Cuban affairs ume they are compelled to do so in order to guarantee the people of that coun try a stable government REPORTS RECEIVED OF MINOR ENGAGEMENTS Havans, Feb. 17. Reports of mi nor engagements between craven sent troops -and - rebels -tn Santa Clara and Camaguey provinces were received here today. Anrello Hevta, Secretary of Government who went to Santa Clara yesterday, reports all quiet there, with no important rebel srrouns in the province. Colonel A ml e i s lores attacaea reb els under Fidel Crus near Santistma Trinidad. Santa Crus province, re ports say. and seven rebels were kill ed, including crux. It is reported tnat Bancti Bpiruua, in the eastern part of Santa Clara province, has been captured by Gov ernment troopa Near Cidra, Cama guey province. Government troops killed two rebels, including the sec ond in command, named Odelln. They also captured some ammunition. CUBAN GUNBOAT AT SANTIAGO DETAINED Santiago de Cuba, Feb. 17. The Cuban gunboat Enrique Villuendaa, which approached the harbor here late yesterday, is being detained by the United States gunboat Petrel, in accordance with the agreement sign ed by the commander of the Petrel and MaJ. Loret de Mola, the military governor of the province. Tne com mander of the Enrique Villuendaa, not knowing the situation hers, came ashore and was arrested. Later he was surrendered, to the custody of Commander Knox, of the Petrel, who returned him to his ship. Reports received here today said that ths sugar mill owned by Presi dent Menocal at Palma Borriano had been taken and that the forces there had retreated. FREIGHT CAR SHORTAGE WORST IN DECADE With One Exception, According to Figures of American Railway Association. . New York. Feb. lTThe country's car shortage situation was on Febru ary 1, the worst In 10 years with one exception, according to figures made public here today oy tne American Railway Association. Tne rauroaos look to more favorable weather and i increase of trans-Atlantic cargo space as chief remedial measures, and unless these are early developments. it was stated on behalf of the associa tion, immediate relief may not be ex pected, t On February 1 the net shortage of freight cars numbered lOs.770. as compared with (1,147 en January X. On November 1 the number was 114. tOt. which bad stood as a record since February, 1007. Figures covering last Thursday. February It. will be made publle in a few days, and it Is not known yet whether the shortage decreased or Increased since the first o'f the month. Ths January increase is attributed to the accumulation of freight at the eastern seaboard, the severs weather tn various -parts of the country, and ths freight conges tion in the Interior. It is declared that the shortage exists for ths most part in the West Northwest, and Southwest as opposed to surplusages In many parts of he East' ? BODY OF GERMAN ' ; COMMANDER FOUND Honolulu. T. Fete. 17. The body of Capt H- 8cblueter, of the Hamburg-American steamer 8taats- arkretar Krsetke. ene of the German i vessel war-bound here, -was found by searchers today at the bottom of ths bay. Captain Schlueter had beea missing since Wednesday night from his ship, and it Is believed hs acci dentally fell ever board. FOUR MORE BOATS SEJTT TO DAVY JONES' LOCKER ' Foar more ships were reported sunk Saturday, three by German submarines and the other by a mine. All were of British registry. The foOowug is the record of ship ping destroyed since the renewal of the submarine warfare February 1: REPORTED BUSK YESTERDAY. Ships. Tonnage. Queenenrood, Brtttah f,7el Marion Dawson. British... 1400 Marie Leonhardt, British.. MM Lady Ann, British. Mia Day's total 1.4 Previously reported ..Wl,75t Total sunk Z2S.244 Summary of ships sunks Ameri can, 1; other nratrala, Sgi British, ss; otner itcuigerrnts, ti 108. ORDERS FROIUIJERLIN For Big German Passenger Liner to Be Disabled. Damage Done at Direction of Her Commander, on Instruc tions From Embassy. Boston, .Feb. 17- The North Ger- man Lloyd passenger Bner, Kron- prlnxessln Cecllle, while In the custody of a United States Marshal under libel order from the Federal Court was deliberately disabled at the di rection of her German commander. Captain Charles A. Polack ss testi fied in Federal Court today, and added that be. In turn, had taken his orders from the German Government The vessel was disabled on the night of January. 11, three days before the break between the united States and Germany. Under examination by counsel for the libelants. Captain Po lack said he acted under orders from an unnamed official of the German Embassy at Washington, When asked the name of this offl daL he made this plea: lour honor. I am an officer of the German Navy, and if I should have to disclose the name of the gentleman in this hearing. 1 might be tried for treason when I went home to Ger many. I wish you would not oblige me to answer tnat question." judge Morten announced that the attorneys for ths plaintiffs were not disposed to press the point the court- would not . Insist ' upon answer, as no good pa puss would be servea mere by. Tbe Krennrlnxessla Cecllle bound from New York for Plymouth and Cherbourg when warned that war had been declared. He turned back and went to Bar Harbor. Ma. The steamer carried gold shipped by the Guaranty Trust Company and the National city Bank or New York te bankers in London and Parts. These banks libeled the steamer, claiming tl.S0O.OSO damage, because of the failure to deliver the eonsla-nmsnt In November, 114. a United States Mar shal took possession of the steamer. wuicn was orougnt to Boston. When Break Oasne. "When Count von Bernstorff given his passports, the libelants sought protection of the vessel from damage by tbe crew, and United States Marshal Mitchell took physical ion of the ship, putting the captain and crew ashore. It was found that the machinery had been dajnacsd. The libelants were refused damages In Federal District Court and appealed to the Circuit Court which sent the case back for a hearing on a petition for the sale of the ship, which was beard today, and for the assessment of damages, which will be argued atarcn s. The plaintiffs alleged that the sel had been wantonly damaged, and asked that she os sold forthwith, and ths court ordered that the vessel be sold by tbe Marshal on April It un less on or oerore .February si the owners had furnished a bond of tllt, 001 to repair the machinery and pro tect the steamer from further eamaa-e. Tba court Old not indicate whether any action for contempt would taken against Captain Polack. . - Time to Destroy Pavers. Captain Polack testified today that last spring, after the arose, he was summoned to New York by his company's office and introduced to a gentleman who said he represent- ed the German Government This man told him that trouble had arisen between the United States and Ger many, and it was about time for him to destroy the ship's papers. He warned that his ship sbonld not fall into hostile hands. - Returning te Boston, be arranged With his chief omcer and chief enri seer tor the disabling of the ship upon tne receipt ot a code mesaage which he was to send. On January IS. he started for, Hot Snrtiura Va but stopped ever tn New York. During his stay there he received bis orders to damage the ship and on January 11 dispatched the message to his first o fflcer. Returning to Boston that night he found the chief engineer engaged fn crippling the machinery. Asked when and where he received his orders, the witness replied: "On January 11. at the docks of our company In Hoboken. I was in the offices Junt before noon. Others pres ent were the superintendent of the company. Captain Moller, and a repre sentative of the German Government1 SAYS CRITICAL PERIOD OF WAR IS AT HAND London. Feb. 17. Tbe Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, speaking at Bolton today, expressed the opinion that the critical period of the war would occur in the next few saontha - - . 1 would be a false friend.'' hs said, -if I did not warn the country that the war Is going to be long con tinued and the struggle even more bitter than In tbe past! It can only be won by everyone doing his utmost The three things most vital are CM money, men and munitlona MoneylEikus had Invited the c'rion and munitions are being supplied hT representatives of neutral ut U a. large quantitlea Mea we want and must have. Tbe Nation will have to make greater sacrifices tn the way of giving its manhood to fight hs tit tles." ...... - a., .... - ADVISABILITY OF GOING BEFORE CONGRESS n: Before Present Session Ends, Discussed by President CONFERS WITH SENATORS Steps Considered Because cf Possibility of Emergency Ne-. cessitating Quick Action. Washington, Feb. 17. Ths advisa bility of going before Congress before ths end of ths present session March ' 4, to make certain that he be clothed with sufficient power 'to protect American Uvea, and property from German submarine activities, was dis cussed by President Wilson today with members of the , Senate whom hs called into conference during a brief visit to the Capitol.' -- -fr Afterwards. It was Indicated that ths President had not mads up his mlqd on ths question, but had such a step under consideration because of the possibility that after adjournment some sudden emergency might arise necessitating action before Congress could be called together again. Tne suggestion was mads that Con gress might be asked to pass a broad ration, autnorlxlng the President ' to take any necessary measures for. ths protection of American rights, and avoiding specific stipulations as : to how the protection should be afforded. It was indicated that Mr. Wilson re mains as anxious ss ever to avoid war. and that he gave no suggestion that a declaration of war, which Congress awns ean make, is even considered by mm at present in connection with the possibility of a request for additional authority. - -.. ... . The general feellns here has been that Germany's submarine campaign sooner or later will lead inevitably to such a violation of American rights as wra require tne runner action fore east by the President in his address to Congress two weeks ago.i The PreaW eent is understood to feeLi bowoverv tnat wnen tn time -pomes, the solu tion .outlined in that- address should followed out and the steps taken should' constitute an extension of further protection to American inter ests rather than a declaration of war. v. -i News Is Gratifying. Officials -were much gratified at message from Berne today saying American Consuls remaining in Ger- many, for. .whom some concern hal been felt would depart ear It next week, hot-there was no evidence thai the development would lessen to an appreciable degree the tension be tween the two countries. It has been pointed out that ths overshadowlr Issue is ths German submarine cam paign, and that any other controversy must be eonsldred as of minor jponse-' quence. - , There also was much grsrlfloatlon hers over a report from Ampaseator Elkua at Constantinople. 'ssytna- that Turkey was arranging to facilitate the departure or the several hundred American refugees at Beirut Official! regarded the news as an indication that the Ottoman Government was disposed not to break with the Unite! States if It could be avoided. - There were no developments during the day in tne situation with Austria, bat some officials new are hopeful that- tha break with Germany will net be ex tended to any of her AUIea President Wilson's visit to ths Capi tol Is understood to have been pri marily to discuss with Senators the legislative program. With most of the Senators seen, he did not talk ef the foreign situation, and the impres sion gained ground among some of them that be did not consider the emergency any more immediate than he did several days ago. If the President decided to go be fore Congress again before the end of the present session, ho is expected to point to the dislocation of shipping. Fiscal Matters. ; - Chairman' 8lmmons, of the Senate Finance Committee, was one ef the Senators who talked with the Presi dent today, and ss a result it is under stood that In case Congressional action -is found advisable, a provision i for necessary expenditures will also; be made. ) Just before going to ths Capitol, the President visited Secretary Baker, at ths War Department and while it was thought possible they discussed universal military training, the Secre tary would make no statement The report from Berne regarding the 'departure of tbe Americans tn Germany said they probably would leave for Switzerland Tuesday. It is expected that a Urge number of Americans left hi Germany will leave with the Consula . State Department officials char acterised as very frsensly the com munication from Constantinople con cerning the Americans at Beirut. It said the two American relief ships. Caesar and Dee Moines, which have beea at Alexandria for a long time. would be given an Opportunity to pro ceed at once to Syria and not only distribute their food supplies, but bear away ths American refugees there. To facilitate ths relief work. ; the Turkish authorities also have volun tarily reduced the period which had been pi escribed ss ths length of quarantine for the outgoing Ameii- Some consideration will be given to the subject however, before orders are dispatched to tbe Caesar and Da Moines to proceed to Syrian porta It ts not entirety elsnr hers how the ships would fare in the blockaded sone which the German decree extended along the fiyiiaa Coast . ' ' NEUTRAL REPRESENTATIVES DECLINED INYtTATlC:;3 . i - .. ; Sofia, rob, II, via Berlin to Lon don. Feb. 17-The Balanska I'-- publishes a Constantinople dispatch to tbe effect that American Ambtwii r dinner at ths Embassy for the r"1" pose ef lnterrhair as political cn . - Ions. .Not one of t nutral Envo-i, It iJ3i accepted ; he Invitation, a4 - : t 'r rsrt . 4
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 18, 1917, edition 1
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