Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1917 — WILSON REACHES DECISION ON COURSE [ARTICLE]

WILSON REACHES DECISION ON COURSE

Absolute Secrecy As to Course Main tained, However —Note is Wired - ■ Berlin, x fss Said; - ; : N _ -L ij Whatever course of. action President Wilson has chosen to meet Germany’s declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare, is known to only three or four members of the official family. Neither the cabinet as a whole nori the foreign affairs committee. of congress have been taken mto confidence. One high official close to the presided t declared that no communication .ms been.sent to Berlin or to Count von Bernstorif, who outwardly was expecting a severance of diplomatic relations. There is every indication, however, in official quarters that a note has been determined upon, but the indications as to whether it has been actually dispatched were about evenly divided with a few high officials as authority that it had not, and some others who gave- intimations of a belief that it had. From under the curtain of official silence drawn closely over every move made, came various indications taken everywhere as index fingers pointing the probable course of the United States. It is understood that the .government would not permit Germany’s ultimatum to stand without challenge. But whether President Wilson’s answer will be solemn warning of a break in diplomatic relations if Germany’s campaign of ruthfulness is carried into execution, or actually a severance of relations without further waiting, remains undisclosed. In the present crisis, which is the most ominous and gravest that this country has yet ibeen called upon to face, Charles Evans Hughes, who was the republican candidate at the recent election against Mr. Wilson, is urging the American people to stand our president in whatever moves he makes. Mr. Hughes said: “In this solemn hour without a partisan thought,, we as loyal Americans should stand behind Mr. Wilson.” This declaration brought his audience to theif feet singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” “We are all Americans tonight "standing’ behind our president, on whom this great responsibility rests. It is not a time to embarrass in any degree with private utterances those charges with this responsibility. They have the facts; they have the duty to perform. They have the sincere loyal co-operation of every true American. The exigency of no nation can fix the limits of American rights.”