Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1917 — THINK WAR ONLY QUESTION OF HOURS [ARTICLE]

THINK WAR ONLY QUESTION OF HOURS

Aaja^tefeShips TJndestroyed Only Because t hey Lie Idle In Ports To Save Americans. Washington, Feb. B.—The American government still is without the official evidence of an overt act by Germany .considered necessary to justify President Wilson in going 'before congress for authority to use necessary means to protect American seamen and people. * There is no longer any doubt that the ' ruthless submarine campaign is in full swing in defiance of the warning of the United States. Everywhere it i« believed that if no American ship has been it is because American ships are lying idle in their harbors instead of plying their usual trade; if no American life has been lost it is due entirely to chance. -■ It is generally conceded that on the basis of preliminary reports, the torpedoing without warning of the passenger liner California with an American on board, makes out a clear cut case of technical violations of thei rights of the United States. President Wilson, however, is represented as determined not to plunge the country into war on a technicality. When he moves it will be on complete evidence of an outrage about

he expects to have the American people and congress 'behind him. . Unofficial dispatches today told of the killing of an American negro sailor nam'ed George Washington, in the sinking of the British _ steamer Turino. Few details were given, and the stare department tonight had .heard nothing officially. The incident will be considered as soon as reports are received. Additional cause for uneasiness was given the government in the receipt of information regarded as confirming reports that Ambassador Gerard and American consuls in Germany virtually are* being det§ined in Germany because of uncertainty in Berlin over the plans for Ambassador von i.ernstjrfF, and as a result of reports that Germany ships in American harbors had been seized. It is not understood That there has been any formal action in this connection, the German government merely delaying arrangements for the departure of the Americans. Word was -received from England and France during the day that safe conducts for German, diplomats in this country would be arranged. This as well as the fact that German ships here have not been seized was communicated to the Berlin government and no anticipated.