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Show PROBE GERMAN RE-DETENU OP AMERICANS Prompt Release of Yarrow-dale Yarrow-dale Seamen Demanded in Note to Berlin From U. S. "WASHINGTON", Feb. IX An inquiry concerning the re-detention by. Germany of the seventy-two American seamen brought in b' "the prize ship Yarrowclale was despatched to Berlin today by the United States, preliminary to more vigorous vig-orous action if the men are not promptly prompt-ly released. The plight of these sailors occupied much of the time at today's cabinet meeting, given over to the crisis growing grow-ing out of Germany's submarine warfare. war-fare. It was agreed that their liberty again should be demanded in most emphatic fashion. Pending complete reports as to the treatment of German crews on war-bound ships in the Philippines, Philip-pines, Hawaii aud elsewhere, however, the government will content itself with the inquiry as to why the Americans are held and under what conditions. The cabinet discussed every phase of the international situation. The question ques-tion of providing navy guns for American Ameri-can ship owners desiring to arm their vessels for defense was considered, but it was stated officially afterward that no decision was reached. Division of Opinion. It is understood that there was a division di-vision of opinion with most of the cabinet cab-inet officers strongly favoring furnishing furnish-ing the guns both on the grounds that permitting American ships to remain idle in port suggests acquiescence in Germany's course and because the congestion con-gestion of ocean bound freight in the country's ports is assuming serious proportions. pro-portions. Two or three members are said to have contended that the policy would be unwise. The president will decide the question. News that an unofficial statement had been issued at Berlin announcing that yesterday was the last ' ' day of grace" allowed neutral shipping before the unrestricted un-restricted submarine warfare went into full affect, did not appreciably increase tension here. There has been full realization real-ization ever since the sinking of the Anchor Liner California that the German Ger-man campaign is being carried on in defiance de-fiance or the United! States and that providence only is to be thanked that an overt act against American life which would precipitate war has not been committed. com-mitted. May Extend Break. There were strong indications during the day that severance of relations with Germany would be extended to the other central powers! Austria's adherence to Germany's position is regarded as practically prac-tically certain to force a break with that country. Ambassador Elkus at Constantinople Constan-tinople was instructed today to ascertain whether submarines operating under the Turkish flag were under the same instructions in-structions as those of Germany and Austria. Aus-tria. Serious difficulties with Turkey already eiiBt over interference with Armenian and Syrian relief and the detention of more than 1000 American refugees. It develops that no message has been received at the state department since the break with Germany from either Ambassador Elkus in Constantinople or from Consul General Murphy in Sofia, who cared for American interests throughout Bulgaria. All cables to and from both these points must go through Vienna, but officials have no indication as to whether tbey are held up there or by the local Bulgarian and Turkish authorities. au-thorities. ! Colliers Halted. Meanwiiile the naval collier Caesar, loaded with food aud clothing contributed con-tributed by Americans for the sufferers in Syria, and the cruiser Des Moines, loaded with medical supplies, are lying at anchor in Alexandria harbor, unable to continue their voyage to Beirut, because be-cause of the uncertainty as to what greeting they would meet. They are long overdue at Beirut where they were not only to unload their supplies for the destitute Syrians, but also to take on board the detained Americans. Heretofore appeals to Germany have j been efficacious in instances where it was ; desired to bring pressure on Turkey, but its employment now would be embarrassing, embar-rassing, if not out of the question. It was explained after the cabinet meeting meet-ing that full reports on the treatment of cierman sailors on war-bound ships was awaited so as to make certain that no i subordinate official had exceeded his au- j thority in dealing with the ships or their crews. The government's instructions have been that legal technicalities should be waive i in order to avoid any appearance appear-ance of depriving the Germans of any of their rights. Efforts Confined. This has been done at all ports of the continental United Slates, and where officials of-ficials in the Philippines and elsewhere have undertaken to guard against the ships becoming menaces to navigation orders or-ders have been issued to confine such efforts ef-forts strk-tlv to surveillance with action only when essential. Senator Pa ul bury of Delaware, president presi-dent pro tern, of the senate, and a majority ma-jority member of the foreign relations committee, introduced a bill in the senate today which would throw down neutrality bars to warships of tlie entente allies and open all ports, harbors and territorial waters wa-ters of the L'nited States to their warships war-ships and other vessels as freely as in times of peace. Designed as a measure short of actual war, termed to "discourage the vi elation of international law at sea." the bill was proposed after long deliberation and consultation con-sultation by Senator Saulsbury with some of his colleagues and officials of the government, gov-ernment, "Whether he had consulted or had the approval of the president was not disclosed. There was no discussion of the bill in the senate and it was referred to the foreign relations committee. Stone Opposes. Some senators believe that passage of the bill would amount to a violation of neutrality, would result in making the United States a virtual ally of Germany's enemies and force Germany into a declaration dec-laration of war. Senator Stone, chairman chair-man of the foreign relations committee, was one of those to declare against it. In some quarters, however, it was suggested sug-gested that the Saulsbury bill might form the basis of the next step taken by the government. Speaker Clark let it be known during the day that he did not think there would be war with Germany nor an extra session ses-sion of congress. General opinion at the capitol appears to be that cabling of an extra session will depend largely on the international situation. sit-uation. Enough of the president's programme pro-gramme will 'be disposed of by March 4, it is believed, to malia him willing to let congress stay at home, unless the foreign problem demands attention. Berlin dispatch tonight saying it had been authoritatively denied there that Germany Ger-many had made an effort for further negotiations nego-tiations on the submarine issue. In view of the representations made to the department de-partment Saturday on Germany's behalf by the Swiss minister, who stated he acted upon Germany's request through his government, there was an inclination inclina-tion here to believe that the Berlin story had been put out either for its effect on German public opinion or to deny sensational sensa-tional versions of the affair which might have reached the German people. |