The sun. [volume], February 11, 1917, Image 1

About The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920

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THE WEATHER FORECAST.
Fair and not so cold to-day; to-morrow
fair; fresh west winds.
Highest temperature yesterday, a; lowest, 8.
Detailed weather, mall and marine reports on page -It.
IT SHINES FOP. ALL
VOL. LXXXIV. NO. 164.
NEW YORK, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1917. Copyright, 1017, Vv the Sim Printing and Publishing Association.
56 PAGES.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
BERLIN REOPENS DOOR FOR U. S. TO PROTECT ITS SHIPPING;
GERARD EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN SWITZERLAND TO-DAY;
U. S. TO SUPPL Y GUNS AND CREWS FOR AMERICAN SHIPS
ASKS MEANING
OF 'OVERT ACT'
McCumhcl1 Wants Defini
tion of Actual Status of
U. S. and Germany.
LI JUTS KESPOXSIBILITY
Says Protection Can Bo Given
Only to Ships Not Carry
ins: Contrabund.
W,suijcoton, Feb. 10. Senator Me
Cumber addressed the Senate to-day In
support of Ida resolution catling on the
President for a 'definite statement as to'
the present submarine policy of the Gov
ernment. He asked that hits resolution
Co to the Committee on Foreign Rela
tions. The Senator said something
ought to go to the country from official
sources that would nllay apprehension.
It actual danger exists, ha said, the
country should know It.
"I feel that we owe it to the American
people that they shall not be left In the
dark as to what this country recognizes
as legitimate belligerent acts and what
on the other hand we concede to be the
legitimate rights of neutrals"
Lin of VUlt and Search.
Reading from diplomatic correspond
ence, the Senator from North Dakota,
who Is a member of the Foreign Rela
tions Committee, called attention to the
fact that tho United States bad always
maintained in the notes the necessity of
complying with the law of visit and
search and that If failure to comply
with this rule resulted In the loss ot life
of an American citizen on an American
vessel or otherwise the German Govern
ment had been threatened .with war In
language so unmistakable that It ad
mitted of no controversy.
The Senator quoted the words of the
inorin .,nt tln.t-ihiF-niii-MrWBr'"?. ."""""I"-
n Mich Tan emerirencv would "take any
s?ens it nVht dee nS-essary to tike !
?iLThAmnnH
.- . ".::;:
erty and to secure to American c tlzens
2. AMI fJh.el.r aS-kh" sil'Tor .
rights on the high seas." The Senator
said that as lie had read the corre
spondence It meant the assertion of the
principle that whether American citi
zens travelled on merchant vessels of
any nationality, carrying contraband or
not, they would be protected by their
Government.
"Is this the standard by which we
are to determine whether we shall enter
Into this war?" ho asked.
There ought not to be any misunder
standing on this. IT that Is our con.
tention. lf we are to hold ,that our
people have a right to travel upon the
merchant vessels of a belligerent Power
and If the lives of such citizens are
destroyed by another belligerent, then.
In my opinion, we ought to prepare Im
mediately for war.
Submarine In Warfare.
"When this controversy became acute
a year ago I took the position that
under International Haw as It existed
prior to the Introduction of submarines
!n warfare a merchant vessel, whether
belligerent or neutral, could not be sunk
If she surrendered, that her passengers
and crew must be adequately protected
md the veFsel held as a prize, but I
lnlted that the right to use the sub
marine In warfare carried with It the
right tp -make war upon enemy com
mvit'o, and that while the rule of hu
manity that a defenceless ship should
not be Hied upon and that the passen
gers and crew must be fully prptocted
ought not and would not bo modified,
the Inability of the submarine to take
possession of tho merchant vessel and
carry It Into port would work a modul
ation of the old rule of International
law.
"Wo nnutrt be comnclled. If we main
tain nnr demands, to declare war If
either an American or belligerent mer
chant vessel Is sunk If the sinking re
sult In the loss of American lire.
"Wo would not go' to war with Ger
many because of her failure to comply
with this rulo If neither American lives
nnr American ships were destroyed. As
he matter now stands I would say Ger
many can aold war with the United
States, first, by refraining from the de
duction of any American ships either
with or without notice, not carrying con
traband! second, by refraining from
"Inking American ships without notice,
even though they may carry contraband,
and, third, by first assuring herself that
ihere are no Americans on board a bel
lliterent merchant vessel If such vessel Is
sunk without notice. But I am not ccr
tnin that cither the .State. Department or
tho Kxecutlvc agree with this. It ought
not to be left In doubt.
lllncknde Proclamation.
' 'r the reports of the Cabinet meeting
yesterday arc true we shall now need a
definition jf an overt act. Just how the
Herman. Go eminent can do more than it
has done to constitute an overt act it Is
dllllcult for mo to understand. The proc
lamation of a blockade by that Govern
ment said In effect that any vessels com
'"s into the war zone would be sunk and
ir.duMtfd that they would be sunk with
out notice.
Since February 1 seventy-five vessels
hmn been sunk without notice, On one
t least the life of nn American citizen
taken and I believe one was an
American ship. And yet we are told by
" morning press that this Government
will nwalt an overt act. Certainly If wo
wait for a more definite action of the
jurpohe of the German Government to
Hrilii re to Its declaration there can be in
im Judgment no danger whatever of war.
"Tli morning papers stated that the
1 esMtnt and his advisers let It be
1 nown last nlRht that tho following
ourne had been decided on : 'When the
l"eIdent Is satisfied that American
ex mid American shim have been de-
oyed on the likjh seas In violation of
Continued on Second Page.
CHINA BACKS U. S.
IN U-BOAT CRISIS
Will Break Off Relations
With Germany if Ruthless
nest Im Pursued.
PEK(N, Feb. 9. Tho Chinese Cabinet
has Indorsed the American action against
Germany on the submarine campaign.
The Cabinet has assured the American
Minister, Dr. Paul S. Ttelmch, that China
associates herself firmly with the United
States.
The Chinese Government hasndvlsed
the German Government Hint hlna will
break off diplomatic relations If the new
submarine measures are pursued.
PLAN NIGHT SHIFTS
ON ROCKAWAY FORT
Every Available Man and
Team Put to Work on New
City Defences.
Work of building a temporary fortifi
cation at Rockaway Point, Rockaway
Reach, was advanced considerably yes
terday with the acquisition of more help.
Nearly fifty teams were kept going all
day despite the severe cold carting
blue stone, cement a4id lumber from the
Rockaway Park station of the Long
Island Railroad, two miles to the site
of the fortification.
About 200 laborers, all that could be
utilized, according to William Crovcllo,
who had charge of them, h,ustled the
building materials on and off the wagons.
It was determined to use a night shift
of men If conditions permitted. Acety
lene lamps were tried for Illumination.
There will be no-let up In the work to
day. ,
To keep curiosity seekers and others
away from the site a guard has been es
tablished nra the coast guard station
half a mile east. Close scrutiny Is exer
cised on an-who ntiempt to go uy. capt.
Frank Herkness, In charge ot the army j
engineers, moved his headquarters yes-
?,unalnw nrar ln s"? "'J"" loninca-
f1"- 1,0 9aU1 '."fdy Uiat no more ,
.-vouncaiions nave oeen seiu io owners
or occupanU ,of buildings on tho fortin-
catl" t0 ?v.. ne ,f 18 Vlc-
lor jonnson, who nas nau ms uome ui
the point .for fifteen years.
The Rockaway Point Land Company
lias about eighty bungalows on the land.
Fifty oktheso will be moved to a front
age on .Jamaica Bay. The others will be
left on their present sites for occupancy
by tho military men assigned to the fort,
The Volunteer Life Savings Corps has
nn Kiuuvii ui, me wiu aim win msu wc arn contraband In tno eyes oi mo uer
to move. j man authorities, for they include manu-
factured steel, automobiles, steel billets.
r r a vpii a TiMt foodstuffs and munitions, ine itocnes
UAAi NKjmtNAl IkJPI ter also has clothing and medical sup-
DEAD THIS SESSION
19 Democrats Join With Re
publicans in Giving a
Knockout Blow.
Washington, Feb. 10. The nomtna-
Unn nf nr. Pnrv T. Oravson to he medical
director cf the navy, with rank of Rear
.... , . ... ... .
Admiral, gave an expiring twitch of the i
muBdes In the Senate and then lapsea i
Into a state of coma, from which It Is
not expected to emerge at this session
of Congress.
Senator Chilton, who assumed for the
President the task of putting the nom
ination through the Senate, moved to
day to"proceed to an executive session.
TJie object of the sesslo was well un
derstood. Senator Chilton demanded a
roll call to put all Senators on record.
The voto was 4 S to 19 against the execu
tive session.
The Republicans voted solidly against
the Chilton motion and nineteen Demo
crats Joined them, as many as voted for
tho Chilton motion, which Indicated
clearly that the matter is dead for this
Congress.
BRITISH EAT LESS MEAT.
First Week of Ilattonliiic Shotva
Drop In Consumption.
.Special Cablt Despatch to Th Sex.
London, Feb. 10. The .first week of
Great Britain's voluntary rationing plan
Is ended. The greater part of the peo
plo are trying to keep within the rations
recommended by Lord Devonport, the
Food Comptroller. Tho sales of meat
have been greatly reduced. Dealers
are not yet refusing supplies, except
whiskey, the price of which may soon
be nearly doubled.
The Food Comptroller Is taking stock
to ascertain the effect on consumption
and stocks of food In the country.
SENATOR-ELECT UNDER FIRE.
Hale of Maine Dodge German
.Shell n VUlt to Vprr.
WtTtt tub British Antuss in Pimxcm
(via London), Feb. 10. Senator-elect
Hale of Maine, who has been visiting the
British front for several days, had a
lively experience from German Shell fire
yesterday. He had expressed a keen de
sire to see the ruins of Yprea, and his
automobile was Just rounding Dead
Man's Corner when a S,9 Inch shell burst
a few lengths behind. A few yards fur-
ther alonir the automobile became
stalled. The party sprinted for shelter
as several more shells broke over them.
Although little Is left of Ypres but
piles ot bricks and stone, the town re
mains a favorite artillery .target for the
Germans.
ATI.AN T. .N K W OKLKANH-CAMVOHMA
fla Washington and HUUT1IKHNIIAILWAY
NlMKlli I'UllinHll aim uimnE car nrrricr,
Information N, Y, Office, :it Fifth Av.
mv,
TWO O.S. SHIPS
OFF TO FRANCE
Unarmed Freighters Will
Brave Dangers of the Sub
marine Zone.
GIVEN A NOISY FAREWELL
Only One Deserter, a Negro
Cook, Who Jumps Ovcr
' board and Swims Ashore.
Two unarmed American freight ateam
Bhlps sailed down the bay yesterday
amid tooting of whistles to brave the
dangers of the zone around France
which Germany has forbidden Amer
ican ships to enter. The two freighters
nre the first American ships to leave
this port for France since the announce
ment of the resumption of unrestricted
submarine warfare. Their destruction
would In all probability be ronstrued by
the Administration as being the "overt
act" which would plunge the United
States Into tho war.
Although It had been generally be
lieved that the two vessels the Roches
ter, owned by the Kerr Steamship Com
pany, and the Orleans of the Oriental
Navigation Company were tho first to
leave the port of New York to test the
German threat of destruction unwarned.
It came to light yesterday that the
American freighter Dochra, of 2,763
tons, sailed unnoted from New York
February 2 for Genoa. As the danger
zone extends around Italy, the Dochra
Is1 running as great n hazard as the two
nhlps which left yesterday.
(ilvrn Motmy Farewell.
A rousing farewell to the two freight
steamships was given yesterday by
Amerlcan and other neutral and allied
craft In the harbor. As the two ships,
with' smoko pouring from their Single
fnnn.l, nml the Stars and Strlnes
streaming over thetr sterns, made their
day ,own the bay It seemed as If all the
vessels in me narwr wan 'ra
,verc blowing nil their power away
throUBh ,hclr whistles. The Rochester
I'd the way across the bar. having left
Quarantine, on tho Statcn Islanu snore
eiow the Narrows, at 2:45 P. M. Only
seven mmutes later the Orleans. , with
Capt. Allen Tucker, a Yankee skipper, j
on her bridge, passeil tnc neaun s-.auon i
of the port.
As both vessels are bound for the same
port Bordeaux and both carry the .
same typo of cargo, much interest na
been aroused In which vessel will reach
port first, or which vessel will reach
port nt Mi Tn( car coca of both ships
plies which the American Red Cross is
sending to German prisoners In French
detention camps.
Majority Americans.
The majority ot the men In both crews
nre Americans, and Capt. Korkritz of tho
Rochester, although born In Sweden, Is a
naturalized citizen. Ills ship has a crew
of thirty-three men nnd that of Capt.
Tucker has thirty-five. Only one caso
0f desertion In the face of danger oc-
curred before the vessels left their
moorings In the bay The negro cook of
the Rochester, frightened by reading of
tho ,inmaK0 ben5 jone by German sub-
marines. Jumped overboard Into the bay
and swam for shore. Another cook was
shipped In Ills place.
Capt. Tucker of the Orleans, who came
ashore yesterday before 'the sailing of
the vessels, said his ship had been de
layed several hours on account of a
technicality In the transfer of the ship
from Argentine registry to American.
This is tho first trip of the Orleans under
the American flag. She was formerly
the Argentine steamship Avellaneda. The
Rochester was built In 1912 for service
on the great lakes, but later was made
a deep water freighter. Both ships carry
about 3,500 tons of freight.
SO Per Cent. Bono.
No dissatisfaction has been expressed
by the crew of tho Orleans with regard
to their bonus for war dangers, Capt.
Tucker said in denying a report that the
crew had demanded Increased wages.
The men now receive a DO per cent,
bonus, he said.
Officials of both lines made It plain
that they wcro not despatching their
ships Into the danger zone as a tost case
of Germany's recent proclamation. Both
ships, they explained, are sailing on the
regular schedules which were prepared
for them before the announcement of tho
renewed unrestricted warfare.
The ships are going about their regular
business, unalarmed by German threats
and without heeding the aerman order
concerning the striping of the sides of
the vessels llko barbers' poles. Both
vessels have their nameu In huge white
letters painted on their sides, togethor
with American nags.
MEDAL FOR FLAG DEFENDER.
Son nf Itevolntlon Recognise
Quartermaster I.nkslch. '
Wsiiinqton, Feb. 10. A gold medal
, wm j,e presented by the Sons of the
(Revolution to Signal Quartermaster Leo
11. Lukslch, United Spates Coast Guard,
who recently In New York felled a man
who wiped his hands on the flag. The
medal was offered to the District of Co
lumbia organisation by Robert R, Ben.
nett, registrar, In memory of his son
. Tracy William Bennett, und accepted by
the board of manaiters.
James Mortimer Montgomery of New
York, general president of the national
society, will make arrangements for a
public presentation, which probably will
be held In Fraunces's Tavern, New York.
Tho society will bo represented by a
committee headed by Gen. wood,
roMPABTMKNT t'ARH TO A VOL' AT A
' Allanilo bwi mmhv, iii, ., ivcu. m nni.
Htsnitard Pullmans Dally, Offlce.llSI U'war.
: -it-.
AtKntlo CoaJt line, tflS A. M, Wed. Hat.
Losses o? Shipping
Since February 1
Losses of shipping of the
Allies and of neutrals since
February' i, when the German
unrestricted submarine warfare
commenced, have been as fol
lows: i
Ships reported sunk yes
terday '. . . 7
Total tonnage reported
sunk yesterday 32,371
Total known tonnage
previously sunk 146,603
Total known tonnage
sunk since Kb. t . . . . 168,874
Ships sunk since February 1 :
American 1
Other neutrals 30
British 43
Other belligerents 7
Total -ships sunk 81
For comparison:
Ships entered British ports
since February t 700
Ships left British ports since
February. 1 410
U-BOATS SINK
-7 MORE SHIPS
Tonnage Destroyed Mounts to
22,271 Two Dead and -13
Missing.
London, Feb. 10. German submarines
are announced to-day to have sunk seven
steamships, one more than yesterday,
and of tonnage almost exactly twice as
large. But for the heavy tonnage of two
rBrltlsh ships sunk to-day's record would
be no greater than the record of any day
for Rome time preceding the beginning of
ruthless warfare. .
These two ships, the llontola and the
Japanese Prince, of $,8!6 and t,S7C tolls
respectively, bring to-day's total tonnage
loss to 22,271. Yesterday's was only
10,424. The total tonnage loss Is now
168,874 In ten days, so far as known. 1
making a dally average of some 17,000
tons, allowing for small craft
Thoush to-day's reports show the Ger
mans have been responsible for the
deaths certainly of two more sailors, and
possibly of thirteen more, who are mlss-
4ng, the most remarkable aH of a sub-
marine commander reported Is that of
the commander who sank the Norwegian
ship Thor II., reported sunk last Wcdnes-
day.
Woman and Child Prisoner.
The Freeman' Journal of Dublin te
ports that the captain of the Thor II..
his wife and their five-year-old
child were taken as prisoners aboard tho
submarine. Aside fronvthe strangeness
of making prisoners of a woman and
child It Is felt that this act, If It was
done, Is Inexplicable, as the Thor II.
was a neutral ship.
The predilection German submarines
have for sinking Norwegian ships and
apparently for taking Norwegian lives
Is Illustrated again to-day. The only
two seamen known to have perished
were members of the crew of the -Norwegian
6htp Solbakken. and the thirteen
missing are the mates and eleven of tho
crew of the Norwegian ship Kllavore.
Three Norwegian ships were tho only
neutrals reported sunk to-day.
Great Britain lost the four remaining
of the seven ships reported sunk. The
total loss of British tonnage was 15,795.
Of this more than two-thirds Is repre
uented by the Mantola and the Japanese
I'rlnce. The Mantola was a new vessel.
Five liny Without Food,
An American negro and three English
men of the crew of the torpedoed steam
ship Dauntless have been picked up In
a small boat In the open sea by a trawl
er, according to a Reuter's despatch from
Madrid, They had been without food
for five days and were taken to a hos
pital. A Havas despatch from Paris
says the boat once capsized and all the
provisions were lost, and the men had
nothing to drink and nothing to eat.
A Berlin despatch recounts the deeds
of ono submarine Just returned to port.
having sunk In the Atlantic ten ships of
tonnage aggregating 19,000, and besides
a British ship of 3,000 tons in the North
Sea and four trawlers.
The list of steamships reported sunk
to-day follows:
British steamship Mantola, 6,826 tons.
British steamship Japanese Prince,
4,876 tons. Left Newport News, Va.,
Janunry 24 for Southampton.
British steamship Lulllngton,
tons. Crew landed.
British steamship Beechtree,
tons. Crew landed.
Norwegian steamship Solbakken.
2,816
1,277
Two
of crew lost.
Norwegian steamship Ellavore.
2,760
tons. Captain landed, mates and eleven
of crew missing,
Norwegian steamship Havgard, 1,100
tons.
20 AMERICANS ABOARD.
While Muleteer on Torpedoed
Steamer Japanese Prince.
NswpottT Nkws. Va., Feb. 10. The
British steamer Japanese Prince, re,
ported sunk, had on board twenty white
American muleteers, according to the
British Vice-Consul here.
The steamer carried a mixed cargo
of horses and general merchandise. The
muleteers signed on at this port.
BIG BOND ISSUE VOTED DOWN.
Senate Dcaaoeratlo Canen
prove the Revenae BUI
Washington, Feb. 10 In the Demo
cratic conference to-night the proposal of
Senator Overman to lay nslile the rev
enue bill and substitute a bom Issue for
1500.000,000 was voted down,
The revenue bill was approved in the
form In which It came from tho' Com
mlttee on Finance.
AMERICAN LINE
WAITS FOR U.S.
Won't Take Chance With
out Guns and Gunners
or a Convoy.
OTIIEK COMPANIES DELAY'
Look to Franklin for Guidance
in Policy to He Adopted by
Steamships.
Steamship officials here receled prl
vato information from Washington last
night that the Government is about
ready to supply arms and gunners- to
American Line ships and all other ships
carrying the American flag to the sub
marine zone. The Intimation is that the
Government will announce within a few
days that the only possible way of main
taining American trade with Europe un
der present conditions Is to provide
American ships with naval guns and
trained gun crews. Warship convoys
will not be furnished.
A plan 1ns been worked out by the
General Hoard of the Navy which Im
plies that the navy will supply guns and
gunners to protect American ships from
pirates. Some of tho vessels will have
to be strengthened structifrally to bear
the weight of the six Inch guns that will
be provided when Uncle Sam finally
makes up Ills mind about tho details.
Several vessels, Including the St. Louis,
were strengthened In 180S at the time
of the Spanish war, and the mounting
of guns on these ships would necessitate
few changes.
Shipping circles hear that the Navy
Department Is quietly making advance
arrangements for the necessary .guns
and gunners. The bureau of ordnance
has this wortc In charge. A high official
made the slfyiltlcant remark to-day that
the question of American Line sailings
"would be disposed of-vcry shortly now.'
The suggestion that warships be sent
with American merchant vessels Is re
jected as Impracticable. There are not
enough warships available and It is
doubted thnt warships would furnish
sufllclent protection. Tho only way out
of the quandary if American ships nre
to continue In rvlce Is to nrm the
merchant ships and let them take care
of themselves. Warship convoys are
regarded as Inexpedient for tho reason
that Germany might see in the step an
act which could legally be construed as
a state of war.
Int lime I . S. Protection.
.' A-.?' Kl ran,K,ln ot lnc
Mercantile Marine announced last night .
that no ships of the American Line Willi
be sent'tn. sea unless the United Mates (
provides warship protection or imlcs (
It supplies guns and gunners with ,
which the line can protect Its own prop-
erty and the lives for which It would
feel responsibility. The announcement
merelv Increased the suspense which
grips American and other neutral shll qultc a few other Americans In Berlin
owners. Shipping interests look to the, n.0 ,n douix when tnev ,vlll be nbIe t0
American Line for guidance and It mayjset Bwav .Many have applied to the
bo that tho heads of other steamship
companies will be forced to adopt the
policy which Mr. Franklin finds neces
sary, s
"As far as the American Line Is con
cerned," said Mr. Franklin, "we have
done our best In every direction to se.
cure the necessary guns and gun crews,
but It does not seem possible to us that
nrlvate cornorat ons will be able to equip
our ships with defensive armament. It
looks as If the American Lino steam
ships will not be able to sail at all un
less the Government decides either to
provide convoys or to put on each of
our steamships the guns and trained
crews essential to the safety of pas-
wngcrs nnd crew.
"Vnlcss wo get a convoy of American
warships or proper naval guns with a
trained crew for each gun the ships of
the American Line will not sail. It has
been found that even If tho lino were
able to secure guns for defenlve pur -
poses It would take a long time to get
the proper gun crews and equipment.
The only sourre of supply In the Ignited
States, It seems, Is tho Government.
Cannot Find liven One Con.
"British ships nre sailing to and from
this port with Indifference to any orders i",u' , dui ,h.Z : .i wVeK
y v.M,,a .; raised to Kngllsh .being spoken publicly.
.""""''L?!?'' 'The newspapers continue to devote
Dui ii.c ' J themselves largely to news despatches
ono gun to protect Itself n case of cmer- from AmerlM delved by various routes,
gency. We should really have two fi b , edl(orlal comment.
Inch guns upon every ship unless con" Apparently the pre Is waiting for some
voys are furnlslted. Otherwise we must lJeflnlte uctl0I1 by ,he Un,ted state, ,n
obey tho German decreo. There are toololle direction or another nnd despatches
many lives and too much property at . wht.h 1eal ,lth thc possibility or proba
stake for us to take chances. bmty of maintaining peace between the
"Kvcry gun factory has been can-, two countries are given prominence.
vassed without result nnd we are up
against a situation which daunts us." ! .lr. nfPPrT ii;inn cevr
The local agents of the Scandinavian-; A u UlKtjLl UttlJ S&lM 1 .
American Line announced yesterday tlmt
the Frederlk VIII. will sail at 2 P. Mtl8ernrU Had Ileen Unable o Report
on Wednesday with Count von Bernstorff
and his staff and German consular
agents ns passengers, Other bookings
will bo accepted.
Permission was received by cablo yes
terday from the home ofllco to send tho
Frederlk VIII. to sea. The German
Ambassador's party will Include about
300 persons, and the police of this city
and Hoboken yesterday made the neces
sary arrangements.
A wireless message was received at
the American Line offices last night ! eave ,,crlln February 10 In the evening
from Capt. Barman of the Kroonland '' special train for Zurich. The Am
statlng that the ship would arrive off basador will lo received at the Swiss
Ambrose Channel at midnight last night. , frontier with all consideration duo him."
Chief of Police Hayes of Hoboken nnd . Tho detention of Mr. Gerard In Berlin
Police Commissioner Woods have ar
ranged to patrol tho water front and to
guard tho piers while the Germany party
Is being transferred and while they wait
In port.
There was a rumor last night that tho
Frederlk VIII. Would sail on Tuesday,
but tho announcement by tho line gave 2
P.'M. on Wednesday ns the sailing hour,
llalvor Jacobsen, agent of the line, said
the weathor might Interfere with tho ar
rangements by delaying the coaling of
the ship. It will be necessary for tlm
Frejerllt VIII. to touch at Halifax so
as lo give British officials opportunity to
inspect vessel nrld passengers.
ENVOY COMING
VIA BARCELONA
Gerard and Party May Sail
on Alfonso XIII. Direct
for New York.
KAISEH . IS COUItTEOL'S
Semis Equerry to Accompany
Train Telephone Cut
by Mistake.
Rerun, via London, Feb. 10. Ambas
sador Gerard, his suite and many Amer
icans of more or less otliclal standing
arc expected to arrive In Switzerland to
morrow. The American Ambassador, Mrs. Ge
rard and Tarty wish .to sail from Barce
lona a week from Wednesday aboard
the Alfonso XIII. or In two weeks on
tho Infanta Isabel. The Spanish Am
bassador at Berlin has wirelessed Am
bassador Wlllard at Madrid In behalf of
. ' - .i n thin ff l .
' The Kalsec himself and Chancellor
' von Dcthmann-IIollwer observed the
I usual diplomatic civilities upon Mr.
Gerard's departure. The Kaiser sent
1 one of Ms private eouerrles to escort
Mr. ueraro to nwiLitnumi .nm
Chancellor sent his adjutant yesterday
to bid farewell to the American Am
bassador. Tno Trains Provided.
Two sncclal trains were placed by the
German Goemment at the disposal of
I iMr. Gerard, according to the Yossitche
I ZclfuiiiJ, ono for his staff and family and
I the other for Americans desiring to leave
Germany. ,
I The I'oaslscie- .eitung confirms tho
I reirt that telephonic communication at
i the American Embassy was cut off, But
explains that this was the result of u,
mistake on the part of a subordinate
official. Communication, It" adds, was
restored by order of the Foreign Min
istry. Mr. Gerard protested at the In
terruption, which occurred ten minutes
I after ho asked for his passports.
' The departure of Mr. Gerard has m
' tho days since the rupture of diplomatic
relations been wrapped In uncertainty
and complicated by the desire not only
tiT nsture the safe return of Count von
UernMorlT and his party but also to ne
cum from the American Government
concessions and pledges regarding tho
tieatment of German ships, German
business and German subjects In the
United States.
Will .Mnlntnln Silence.
Ambassador Gerard authorized the
Al.0(.la,Pll ,,reS3 ta.,,av , say that llc
ha8 neltlier Blvctli llor wl under tW
crou;ustan.cs frvoa nn interview of any
Mud op defwr,,on t nny one before he
reports personally to President Wilson,
AmbaM!lnor llla,ic tll!s statement
to fore!,tau rresponsiblo reports which
h(1 yM ia expcrlcnce ie(i him t0 an.
,t.,,
pollen for formal permission to leave, but
few have received It. Tho general rule
is that at least two weeks must elapse
for Investigation beforo permission is
granted.
Mr. Gerard's train will enter Switzer
land bv way of Slneen Instead of Ilasle
., originally planned. This is a shorter
r0ute.
llnumiKP Doe With Them.
Americans who will travel with the
Ambassador were Informed late yester
day afternoon that their baggage must
j b(l at tlle raiway station for inspection
j ,lot atcr ti,nn n 0-cioct this morning, so
, aM lo .lV0(i delay and confusion at the
'fiontler.
' Tho train will consist largely of day
j coaches, though there will be a saloon
,.ar for the Ambassador und possibly
,i sleeping car for the women,
Despite the (act that details of Mr.
1 Gerard's departure had been Indefinite
until late last evening, tho Americans
In Berlin have shown little tendency to
worry nnd the delicacy of the situation
' has not affected the serenity of the
', German public. No more attention has
j been paid to foreigners than is usual,
A'"erlc.ans laavo been treated with rigid
to Wnshlngton.
Wasiiinqtom, Feb. 10. American
Ambassador Gerard will leave Berlin
this evening for Zurich, Switzerland,
with his entire staff nnd fifty American
citizens, according to a despatch re
ceded to-day at thc Swiss Legation here
from Bern.
Tho message said : "The American
Ambassador. Mr. Qernrd, with all his per
sonnel and fifty American citizens, will
niv
nd. the refusal of tho Berlin Govern-
menl to permit him to communicate with
Wushlngton nppears now to have been
established to the satisfaction of the
State Department. This tovernment, up
to a late hour to-night, had been unable
to get a word from Mr. Gerard since
February 4, despite every effort It has
made and despite Indignant representa
tions by this Government to tho Spanish
Kmbassy, which presumably communi
cated thorn to the Wllhelmstrasse. Not
only linsthls Government not heard from
Mr. Gerard but It also has had no com-
Coiidiiucd on Second Pi oe.
Germany Said to Have Given Word
That She Would Consider Sug- .
gestions to Safeguard
Americans
SWISS MINISTER DENIES REPORT;
LANSING PROFESSES IGNORANCjB
Washington Believes Wilson Will Flatly Re
fuse to Discuss U-Boat Campaign' Unless
"Ruthless" Decree Is Withdrawn
in Advance
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. Germany has made or is con
templating a move which she evidently thinks may serve to lea
sen somewhat the tension in this country over the progress
of her submarine campaign. From information obtainable to
night it would appear that she has made representations to
some neutral Government, presumably Switzerland, to the ef
fect that she would be willing to give consideration to any sug
gestion that might be made whereby the safety of American
ships under her recent submarine decree might be promoted
fend the lives of Americans travelling on the sea be safeguarded.
The exact steps which she has taken in this matter are still
clouded in mystery, but despite denials to-day by officials that
anything of this nature had reached them there is some reason
to believe that if no formal communication has been delivered
as yet some intimation of this attitude by Germany has been
given to representatives of this Government.
In connection with the report the information obtained here
is to the effect that while Germany was arranging for her new
campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare certain German
diplomats in various parts of the world were informed that
wmie imiuury necessity prevented tne granting of a period
in wmcn neuirais migm adjust tneir maritime interests, every
care would be exercised so that neutral passenger carrying
ships would not be subjected to unwarned torpedo attacks.
Sounding Process Expected.
There is some reason to doubt that
any formal communication Is to be
made on tho U-boat campulgn. it is
believed more likely that tho neutral
Government in question, supposedly
GERMAN SHIPS' RUIN
DECIDED AT COUNCIL
Man "JIig:li TV' Brought Or -
dor lo 100 Officers on Vnter
lnnd on Jan. 31.
' lor t"o tiovernmcnt, in view of tho
Position It has taken, to take any
The Sun's revetatlons as to thc de-1 cognizance of thc matter. ,
liberate wrecking of the engines of the i','t .r Pr- Kilter, the Swiss
German and Austrian ships In this port j d rVned "to Shhig'",
on order from the German Government 1 do wjth u move of this kind on Ge r,
have loosed tongues that were necessar-1 n,a,n'' Part. But Ir. Hitter after first
lly silent before tho truth became public. , had " made was" "!ZVlT ('crma
Now that the well kept secret is public j fnove "of U, i' k I sa Id' H er -'"her'n1
several officers on the Hamburs-Amcrl- I is nothing in ,V It h s .?, L.nUlX?
can and .North German Lloyd ships. ofil-1 whatever." 0 foundatlo
cers who are American citizens and '
proud of it, have felt relieved of an A Piny for Time.
obligation to secrecy. From thes-e de- '
tails of a remarkable council held on What may be the ul.erlor mot.e back
board the Vaterland on the alght of of tl0 also is a matter of specula
Wednesday, January 31, were obtained ' tlon- In t0"'0 quarters there ih evident
yesterday. a feeling that It merely Is a play for
The wrecking of machinery did not ''"V1 deskned to postpone any furtUer
actually begin until the night of Jan-' nc,lon uv the United States until to
uary 31, several bourn after tho State starvation blockade against Knglond
Department had received from Count i ,jher has succeeded or failed. Hlse
von Hernstorff Germany's submarine "'here there nre suggestions that there,
decree. The order to smash the engines ' maJ' 1,c behind It a sincere desire to
came to the fleet at Holuiken and orr ' malil icrlllren to preserve iwice bc
135th street. Manhattan, early on th.-' twe.en ,ho United States and Germ.iu
afternoon of the 31st. That night a man anit, ma' eome a.s a response to the lip
deserlbed as "high up" in German ship- Pfaw understood to have been sent
ping circles visited the Vaterland. With- abroad by paelllsts In thin country.
In a few minutes after his arrival me!.. 1 In an' event, there Is no evidence that
sengers wcro sent to all of the German "resident Wilson Is contemplating ,inj
ships at Hoboken requesting their tires- , "'her course than vigorous prepiratlon
ence aboard thc Vaterland About 100 of thc nation for tho eventuality which
olllcers atoemblcd In the cabin and heard ''e warned against In his address to t'on
a talk from the visitor. Among thesn gress If American rights are violated,
were officers of ships ofT 135th street, at fp to to-night no otllcl.il evidence had
Stapleton, nt South Brooklyn and even ne,'i received to show that the feared
from within half it day's railroad I overt act had been committed. Aside
Journey from this port. ' from tho new German communication
The visitor, who carried oIIlci.il In- Interest In olllclal circles centred chiefly
structlons from the German Govern- the courso of Berlin olllclals in plac
ment. outlined the situation le told the Ing obstacles In the way of the departure
officers that a break with Germany was of Ambassador Gerard. Great resent
Inevitable nnd that war had to come , ment has been aroused here over this ln
sooncr or later. Ho told the officers that eldent, but oltiel.ils have indicated thai
they would be, held personally responsl- aR 'n us tho Ambassador is safely out
bio by tho German Government If their I of Oermany they will be disposed to con
ships eventually fell Into the hands of an ' slder the mattur doted.
enemy nation. Ho advised tho wreck
ing of engines ns a necessary step that
had to Ik! taken for the good of the
fatherland no matter how painful it
mignt uo to tno olllcers personally. When
he departed the engine room crews went i wind at least until the United States in?"
to work with hammer and crowbar and dlcatcs In some way Its sentiment
by morning tho engines wcro ruined , toward the general proposal for a dls
Tho dinner nnd conference on board I cusslon. Tho development, however
tho Vaterland lasted until about mid-' served to draw attention again to the
night nnd ended with the final statement I proposals for distinctive markings of
of a steamship nllicia! who Is referred vessels and arrangements for passage
to as a personal friend of the Kaiser' of American pnncngcr carrying liners
that any captain or chief engineer who In the note announcing unrestricted sub
fulled to make his ship useless to an marine warfare
enemy of Germany would suffer for that i It was disclosed to-night that when
dcr'lct lon' . . , , 1 rount von Hernstorff Informed the
All of the Teutonic ships nre very , United States of the new German pollcv
closely guarded by Federal agents and ' an effort was last week made to bring
by New ork city or Hoboken police , about a discussion apparently deigned
because the possibility that attempts lI0 rei!ult In the United Sta ea agreotoir
rahoKle ''i'WJSS
.more or less different In character, are
A1KKN A I'll VSTA A Nil EV! U.K.
"Augusta Knecial" lv. New Vork iUIIj- iet
P. M, via SOUTIimtN HAHAVAV HVrtTBM.
Dinlnr. compartment nd drawing. room
leeplnr can. N. T, Office, ( Fifth Ave.
Adv. A
tli" Swiss Government, may sound In
formally this Government on it.s will
ingness to niuli.- .sugucstlons regarding
the protection of Its ships and In tlie
same informal way mmmunlcatp to
the German Government the result of
its endeavors In this direction.
By whatever means it is done, how
ever, there Is no question th.it the
nnswer of tills Government will be a
nai rcius.il to discuss the matter at all
j while the German decree remains in
effect. It is understood that Germany
I in whatever representations may hove
I ' u me neutral Government
I n.q,irsllon llJ-s "ot indicated that she
. Tvllfl. nn-allln- .1 . .. ....
"'s- rcsun ot tills mow
er modify in any way her decree.
This of itself would make it Impossible.
Wall for V. S. lo M,iTr.
It is regarded as Improbable tint
snecifio surirestlons tnnM till ?n
ivuivcu ipuu n iiviiik uiuru lorinai in na
turn man inoso maue nt nrst.
Secretary Lansing, when annroachadi
for Information ami told of the gist ot
the report said curtly "I Have never