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Show H1ENT IS STILL ANXIOUS TO HIT IH Most of Washington Officials Offi-cials Believe Hostilities Will Grow Out of Submarine Sub-marine Campaign, AMERICAN CONSULS TO LEAVE GERMANY Those Left Behind by Ger arc. Expected to Reach Berne Tuesday; Executive Exec-utive Visits Capitol. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17. The advisability advisa-bility of going before congress before the end of the present session, March 4, to make certain that he be clothed with sufficient power to protect American lives and property from German submarine activities ac-tivities was discussed by President Wilson Wil-son today with members of the senate whom he called Into conference during a brief visit to the capitol. Afterward it was Indicated that the president had not made up his mind on the question, but had such a step under consideration because of the possibility that after adjournment some sudden emergency might arise necessitating action ac-tion before congress could be called together to-gether again. The suggestion was made that congress might be asked to pass a broad resolution resolu-tion authorizing the president to take any necessary measures for the protection of American rights and avoid specific stipulations stipu-lations as to how the protection should be afforded. It was indicated that Mr. Wilson remained as anxious as ever to avoid war and that he gave no suggestion sugges-tion that a declaration of war, which congress con-gress alone can make, is even considered by him at present in connection with the possibility of a request for additional authority. au-thority. Will Require Action. , The general feeling here has been that Germany's submarine campaign sooner or later will lead inevitably to such a violation viola-tion of American rights as will require the further action forecast by the president In his address to congress two weeks ago. The president is understood to feel, how-eveochat how-eveochat when the time comes the sotu-t-T outlined in that address should be Ilowed out literally, and the steps taken should constitute an extension of further protection to American interests rather Vi a declaration of war. OTSiala were much gratified at a mes- j sage from Berne today saying the Amer- 1 it -an consuls remaining in Germany, for whom some concern had been felt, would 1 depart early next week, but there was no evidence that the development would lessen to an appreciable degree the tension ten-sion between the two countries. It has been pointed out that the overshadowing issue is the German submarine campaign, and that any other controversy must be considered as of minor consequence. Visit to Capitol. There also was much gratification here over a report from Ambassador Elkus at Constantinople, saying that Turkey was arranging to facilitate the departure of the several hundred American refugees at Beirut. Officials regarded the news as an indication that the Ottoman government was disposed not to break with the United states If it could be avoided. There were no developments during the day in the situation with Austria, but some officials now are hopeful that the break with Germany Ger-many will not be extended to any of her allies. President Wilson's visit to the capitol !s understood to have been primarily for the purpose of discussing with senators the legislative programme and to urge passage of various administration bills during the remaining two weeks of the session. With most of the senators seen he did not talk of the foreign situation, and the Impression gained ground among some of them that he did not consider the emergency any more immediate than he did several days ago. It is known, on the other hand, that the continued hold-1 hold-1 ing of many vessels In port has come to be looked upon here as a condition for which some remedy must be found. If the president decides to go before congress again before the end of the present session he is expected to point to this condition of shipping. Chairman Simmons of the senate finance committee was one of the senators who taLked with I the president today, and, as a result, it is understood that in case congressional action is found advisable a provision for necessary expenditures will also be made. Just before going to the capitol the president paid a brief visit to Secretary Baker at the war department, and while it was thought possible that they discussed dis-cussed universal military training, the secretary would make no statement. General Exodus Expected. The report from Berne regarding the departure of the Americans in Germany-said Germany-said they probably would leave for Switzerland Tuesday. The exact date of the departure had not been set, the message mes-sage said, but consuls coming from that direction have been ordered to proceed from Munich. It Is expected that a large number of Americans left in Germany will leave with the consuls. State department officials characterized as very friendly the communication from Constantinople concerning the Americans at Beirut. It said that the two American relief ships, Caesar and Des Moines, which have been lying at Alexandria for a long time, would be given an opportunity oppor-tunity to proceed at once to Syria and not only distribute their supplies, but bear away the American refugees there. To facilitate the relief work the Turkish Turk-ish authorities also have voluntarily reduced re-duced the period which has been prescribed pre-scribed as the length of quarantine for the outgoing Americans. Some consideration will be given to the subject, however, before orders are dispatched dis-patched to the Caesar and Des Moines to proceed to Syrian ports. It is not en1 tirely clear here how the ships would fare In the blockaded zone which the German decree extended along the Syrian coast. |