The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 1

fw.rrn in. THE BROOKLYN BAffiT EAGLE exclusive ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW COMPLETE STOCK MARKET Todly mu: 1: l.a.l I Complete repuri page 11 Volume 77 TIIHEE CENTS FOUR O'CLOCK. XEW -VOUK CITY. I-1SIDAY. PEKHUAKY 2.

1917. 21 l'AIJliS. THANKS TO BELLIGERENTS 3 CHILDREN PERISH IN BORO PARK FIRE; INCENDIARY AT WORK NO ACTION YET BY WILSON ON U-BOAT ISSUE; WILL NOT BE HURRIED, DESPITE PRESSURE; CABINET IS REPORTED DIVIDED OVER BREAK Three Others Injured in Mysterious Blaze-Three Nearby Houses Set Afire. JAPANESE ROUSED CABINET MEETS WITH MEMBERS UNINFORMED ON PRESIDENT'S PLANS LEAK PROBERS SURE HUTTON CO. GOT TIP FULL DAY IN AVDANCE trobi; ii bkopiiv hf.gix.

AT ANTI-ALIEN BILLS; WITHDRAW OREGON'S Washington. February 2 L'p to the time the Cabinet assembled this aft-' Luck of lo Blame, Declares Coroner Wagner. Sees Violation of Law. No Word Sent to Germany Conservatives in Cabinet Hope Break May Be Averted Radicals Urge Action at Once Mr. Wilson Golfs for Two Hours in Morning Decision May Bo Reached at Cabinet Meeting Stone to Confer With President Preparatory Orders Given the Navy Is Understanding Fleet in Southern Atlantic Available at Any Time.

ernoon there had beon no outward change in the submarine crisis. The majority of the members came to the White House uninformed of President Wilson's plans. The Freedom of the Seas will novr be enjoyed by icebergs and fish. Determined to Get Original Message and Order Production of Finn's Files. State Senator Wilbur Says He Doesn't Want to Handicap President Wilson.

U-BOAT STOPS MOTOR SHIP GERMAN EMBASSY IS PREPARED FOR BREAK; OFFICIALS THERE SILENT CRISIS IS MF.F.T IX CAPITAL TOMOBUOW. Chili, in Today, Tells of Encounter in North Sea. Kills, Who Sent Out Warning Message, Will Be First Wit-iicss Kxaniincd. I of opinion in Cabinet circles. Som members are reported to be for In-! slant action by the L'nlted States; others i.re declared lo favor a waiting policy.

Those who favor acting with out further delay take the position 'that Ambassador Gerard shojld be recalled Immediately and Count vort I-iernstorff dispatched from til', coun-jtry. They are said to feel 'hat it I would be a mistake, nnd posaisly an evidence of hesitation and Indecision, i if the L'nlted States should delay, i They feel that Germany is I aware of policy of the Vnited I States and took it into account when A German submarine operating In the North Sea, east of the Shetland Islands, stopped the Danish motorship Chili, which arrived in New York today, and then allowed her to proceed after giving her a permit signed "Sat-tenfeld, captain." According to the Chill's commander, Frederik Grue, the U-boat's captain examined tho tnotorship's papers. Captain Grue said the submarine was of about one thousand tons and carried two deck guns. TABERNACLE FOR SALE Washington, February 2 There feemed to be no doubt today that somo communication had gone to Ambassador Gerard, probably warning him of the steps the United States felt compelled to take and giving him an opportunity, however limited, to make some arrangements to alleviate tho possible hardships of Americans in Germany. The Government's best information is that there are about 3,000 there.

Doubtless some efforts would be made to them over the line Into Holland or into some of the other adjacent neutral countries. The German Embassy continued its official silence, calmly prepared for the break Count Von IJernsiorn has said privately he expects, but serenely confident that the Gerilluil lliiivrnmant'a action, Irrespective of the protests of neuiruis, will oo tne winning factor of the war. "Pastor" Russell's Church to Be Disposed Of. The Brooklyn Tabernacle at 17 Hicks street, from which the late "Pastor" P.ussell was accustomed to address his followers, Is for This has been advertised In The Eagle by Cary Son. the agents.

The property was formerly known as the Plymouth Bethel and was used as a mission by Henry Ward Heecher. Joseph F. Rutherford, who has succeeded "Pastor" Russell as head of tho various activities of the Russellltes, stated today that ho and his followers were not to quit Brooklyn but were BimDlV looking for hottm nn.l accommodations. TODAY'S U-BOAT RECORD Norwegian steamer Portia, 1,127 tons. Norwegian sloamer Hecla, 524 tons (reported sunk Steamer Ravensbourne (flag and tonnage not known); three of crew lost.

British steamer Esonlte, 5S9 tons. Spanish steamer Algorta, 2,116 tons. British trawler, Violet. Marcelle, Belgian trawler, sunk by gunfire; crew landed. Vessels sunk sinco yesterday's record was printed: British steamer Trevean.

3.0S1 tons. Belgian steamer Euphrates, 2, 80S tons. Steamer Dundee of Hamilton, Ontario, 2.27S tons. Tug Ida. presumably by striking a mine, while towing barges.

Two trawlers and three smacks. STARK GETS 2'2 YEARS Japan's Slatesnien Say That American Legislation May Force Situation Beyond Control. Salem. February 2 Oregon's anti-alien bill was withdrawn from the Legislature here today by Senator George R. Wilbur.

Democrat, who introduced It. because, as he said, he did not want to handicap President Wilson with possible Japanese complications during the present international crisis. Washington, 1'ebruary Japan's representations to tho United States against the anti-allen land bills pending in the Idaho and Oregon legislatures, although made Informally through her Embassy are considered no less serious at this critical juncture of international affairs than her protests against the California laws four years ago. Absolutely nothing had been permuted by the Administration to become public until the protest was disclosed by appeals to the Oregon und Idaho delegations In Congress to use their influence at home to prevent passage of the bills at this time. The state of feeling in Japan, probably much disturbed by tho recent crisis in the Government, has been represented to the State Department as being so serious tliat the Japanese statesmen who wish to preserve friendly relations with the United States fear the passage of more legislation In this country directed against their country, may force the situation ut home beyond their control.

noise. Idaho, February 2 The State Department at Washington, It became known today, has sent telegrams to members of the Legislature and to Governor Moses Alexander protesting against the passage of the bill pending In the Legislature to bar subjects of Japan from land ownership in tide State. Tho bill passed the House unanimously several days ago end is now before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate. Senator W. K.

Borah, who Is In Washington, has also sent telegrams to tho legislators nnd to Governor Alexander, asking them not to embarrass tho Government at this time. In a lelegram to tho members of the Idaho Legislature, Senator Borah said in part: "I am sending this at the earnest request of the State Department. This bill Is causing the Government deep concern. I suggest thnt only the most substantial and Imminent reasons should embarrass the Government, particularly at this time. In this cilt-Ical hour we ought not to exercise our State rights unless the situation compels us to do so.

"I have taken the liberty to assure the President that neither tho Legislature nor the people of our Slate would want to add to his task at this Juncture of our foreign affairs other than fjor vital and controlling reasons." The Idaho Dally Statesman, quoting a telegram from Senator Borah, printed wdth his authorization, says: "Secretary Lansing and Mr. Polk paid a second call, Thursday night, at Senator Borah's residence and represented that Tokio fears the enactment of such legislation nt this time may so Incense the Japanese people as to force the Government in self-preservation to signify a willingness to register by force of arms its protest against the Idaho bill." Auto Insurance Swindler Given Heavy Sentence. William Stark, 28 years old, of Union Course, L. one of the partners of a Brooklyn automobile stiles company, was today sentenced to Bnf Sing for not less than two and a half years or more thaii' four and a half years, by Judge Nott in General Sessions, Manhattan. Ho was convicted a week ago of complicity in the filing of a fraudulent claim against the Federal Insurance Company for an automobile which he and four others were accused of having burned In Green-lawn, L.

on July 9 last. Stark's conviction was brought about by Frederick Strobel, one of his former partners, who turned State's evidence and testified against him. According to Strobel, they insured the automobile in question three times, burning it each time, and then collecting insurance. In three years, he testified he and his partners netted 1 10,000. L'agle Bureau.

S01 Colorado Building. AVashir.gton, February Nothing has gone to Germany as yet. This statement, made by Secretary of State Lansing today, represents the status of the great crisis between the United States and the Central Powers of Europe ot this hour of writing. There may be an announcement of tile course of action to be followed by. this, country, after the Cabinet meeting this afternoon.

The President played golf for two hours this morning. He had no conferences on the U-boat issue. When the Secretary of State used tho-words yet" it was regarded as to. a declaration that something a note, an ultimatum, or a verbal message through Ambassador Gerard will assuredly go. In fact, It Is well understood that personal instructions have already been given to Mr.

Gerard. What Secretary Lansing referred to as not having yet been sent was a communication intended for the German Government. Although the nir is full of rumors that an ultimatum has already been dispatched, it is known that tho facts aro otherwise. Ambassador Gerard has not yet been recalled, although It Is believed that his recall within a very short time Is inevitable. Count von Bernstorft has not yet been given his passport.

No message to Congress has yet been written by tlio President President Will Not be Forced Into Jroniiilure Action. All these things are expected, but they have not taken pince. The President, facing the greatest responsibility ever placed upon an American Chief Executive in modern times, is considering every posiblo contingency before he acts. He realizes the almost universal sentiment of the American people, but be also realizes that the responsibility for action rests solely upon his own shoulders. He must make the final decision, and he does not propose to make it until after the, most careful review of all the consequences that it will entail.

A diplomatic break with Germany is regarded In Administration circles as equivalent to war, or as certain to result in war within a very short time. The President is shaping his course with full realization of the fact that upon his decision may rest the whole future of civilization. Ho is considering the probability that, if the United States becomes engaged In the conflict, every other neutral In the world may ultimately be plunged Into It. The responsibility is so overwhelming that Mr. Wilson refuses to be hurried, although from many quarters the pressuro for haste is great.

The decision may be made today and may be known to the world tomorrow. But whether it be today, tomorrow, or even later, It will represent the matured judgment of the President after a calm review of the entire critical situation. Cabinet Reported Divided Over Issue. Although the President still deliberates, his advisors do not hesitate to say that the action he will utimately take will accord with the policy he declared in the Sussex note that if Germany intends to employ ruthless methods of warfare upon the seas he will sever friendly relations with that country. There is understood to be a division MRS.

SANGER GUILTY, SESSIONS VERDICT IN BIRTH CONTROL CASE New light on the "leak" of advance information about the President's December peace note was received by the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives at today's session in the New York Customs House. Idiwyer Whipple said this afternoon just before getting on a train for Washington: "The significant fact is established that we liml in a brokers oilier in Manhattan, on the day before the President's note was issued, at un hour considerably earlier than the lime It was given to the reporters by Secretary Lansing, it statement of the substance of the note itself and of its most important purpose, couched in language, characteristic of a skilled ami trained mind, shows conclusive evidence that the writer must not only have seen, but thoroughly comprehended the President's uote mid the purpose of its message. 'It is reasonably dear on the evidence thus far given thut this statement did not come over the Washington wire or the Southern wire, but got Into the broker's hands sonic other way. "How It got there and from whom it came and when arc tlio objects upon which tlio committee; will concentrate attention." It convinced the four members who sat, while their colleagues were busy in Washington, that the firm of K. F.

Hutton Co. of 61 Broadway, Manhattan, received the Information at least a day before Secretary of State Lansing gavo newspaper men an idea of what was coming. They expressed that belief frankly in questions they asked of tho witnesses after Sherman L. Whipple, the committee's counsel, got through with his examinations. Representative Campbell of Kansas asked several witnesses straight out why Hutton Co.

concealed the missing telegram or message giving them the news, and if it was due to the fact that it was received before the stock market trading hours of December 20. Francis A. Connolly, partner of the President's brother-in-law. It. W.

Boiling, said he was positive that he formulated from gossip around his office the missing message, and sent It some time after 1 o'clock on December 20. He reproduced almost exactly the message sent to the West and the South by George A. Ellis Jr. of the Hutton firm. Edward F.

Hutton said Kills had based his warning on Connolly's telegram. That no such telegram was received In the Hutton office from Washington on that December 20 was the positive declaration of Joseph Martin Becker, the Hutton telegraph operator who had exclusive charge of the direct Washington wiro all that day and other days. This started the committee on a new hunt, and Chairman Henry served notice on the Hutton offices that all the letter files or other data into which the message might have been plafced should be submitted forthwith. Heiannounced that tho committeemen were determined to find out just, when and how the Hutton office got the Information that formed the basis of the Ellis message to "Hod and All." Only Representatives Henry, Garrett, Patten and Campbell were at the session today. This afternoon it was announced they will follow their colleagues to Washington to be present in case Congress is called upon to act In the new international complication.

Tomorrow morning. Chairman Henry said, the committee will hold a hearing in Washington, and he gave orders that George A. Ellis Jr. appear at 10 a.m. to be questioned for Information concerning the missing message.

Hearings by the "leak" investigating committee will be resumed in Washington tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Chairman Henry announced today. George A. Ellis, of K. Hutton who wrote the message warning brokers of tho coming of the Continued on Page 2.

she announced her program of fright-fulness nt sea, and that therefore nothing can be pained by this coun. try In postponing the break Conservative Faction Clings to Hope) a Break Can He Averted. The other group among the President's adviser Is reported as holding the view that the LTnltcd States should not take drastic action until an overt act. involving American citizens or property, has been committed by Germany. They feel that the exact time for a break in relations has not yet arrived.

This group in the Cabinet may he said to cling faintly to a hope that some turn In events will avert a rupture. The President has not yet conferred with any members of Congress on tha subject, but Is expected to have a talk with Senator Stone, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, this afternoon. He may receive other members of the committee. While the President will proba-lily notify Congress In a formal way of what he proposes to do, the decision will be his own. It Is wholly unlikely that he will ask the advice of the Senate ad to a break in relations with Germany, but will rather notify Congress that he has done so, If that Is his final Judgment.

Preparatory Orders Given to the Navy Meanwhile, the executive branches of the Government ore losing no time in preparing for whatever part they may be called upon to play in future events. The navy has received certain orders of a preparatory character. It Is understood, although these Orders have not been disclosed. The fleet now assembled in Southern Atlantio waters is in condition for immediate employment. The Treasury Department is taking extraordinary precautions to see that the strict neutrality of American ports is preserved.

That any special orders have gone out through the War Department Is not known, but they may be expected unless there Is an abrupt and unexpected turn in affairs. Hint In Washington Germany is "Blulling." One exceedingly remote development Is still considered by some statesmen In Washington. That Is the possibility of a retreat by Germany from her announced policy of sinking all ships within the prescribed area, a policy that is already In process of execution. There Is "a small group here who believe that Germany proclaimed ruthless submarine warfare largely for its effect upon her people at home, among whom living conditions are known to be exceedingly precarious. The theory ts that Germany, facing a break with tho United States, may be in a better position to tell her people that she has done everything in her power to achieve victory, but cannot fight 1he world, and must therefore proceed to make tho best pence terms possible.

There Is no doubt that the Administration has been In communication witn Ambassador Gerard concerning international conditions in Germany, with a view to Retting a closer picture of tho background of the German decision. There has been careful inquiry as to the foodstuff situation, the tier-man supply of war munitions and the Justices Unanimous Against Head of Propaganda-To Be Sentenced Monday. FIRE ON MUNITIONS SHIP Three small children dead, one oilier of the sanie family In tho hospital In a grave condition, and a father and mother burned, but less seriously, was the toll taken by a tire from on family at 4616 New Utrecht avenue, early today, It was the first of four mysterious fires occurring In the early morning hours. The circumstances of their origin convinced the police and the firemen that three at least, were of incendiary origin. The fourth, the one which claimed the lives of the three children, was only less conclusive In Its evidence of incendiarism than the other three.

In each case the fire haa Its inception under the stairway. The dead and injured in the fire In the three-story brick building on New Utrecht avenue follow: Dead. Walter Lock, 2 years old. Beatrice Lock, 4 years old. Marian Lock, 7 years old, who died in tho hospital at noon.

Injured. David Lock, years old, Norwegian Hospital; condition grave. Margaret Lock the mother, Norwegian Hospital; not serious. Arthur Lock, father, Kings County Hospital; condition not serious. Three Other Fires Started by Firebug.

In the three fires following the fatal one on New Utrecht avenue, the blaze was kindled, in each ease, In a baby carriage under the stairway In the hall. They were all apartment houses and only prompt discovery prevented loss of life. This Is the record: 3:30 A.M. Fire in the apartment house at 126D Fifty-third street The house shelters eight families. James Ireland, a milk man, saw the smoke and traced it to a baby carriage un-der the stairway.

He dragged the burning vehicle Into the street About 8:36 A.M. Fire at 6207 New Utrecht avenue discovered by same man who again dragged a burning baby carriage from under the stairway. This also is an apartment house. Fifteen or twenty minutes later Fire in a baby carriage under the stairway at 1231 Fifty-first street, sheltering sixteen families. The fire was discovered by Aaron Kata a tenant.

Katt notified the Janitor, George Kohn, who extinguished this fire. All four fires were reported as "suspicious." and are the subject of a most rigid Investigation, which is being conducted by Fire Marshal Bro-phy, confident that he has a cunning 'firebug" to deal with. Three of the fires were in the near neighborhood of one another in the Borough Park section. Charles Byrne sat up in bed In his hall room on the second floor of 4616 New Utrecht avenue at 2:30 o'clock and sniffed. The air was filled with the pungent odor of smoke.

Byrne got up with alacrity, although it was bitter cold, and proceeded to awaken the other tenants. About the earns time Ttudolph Peters, a baker at 4620, emerged from the cellar, where he had been baking bread, to get a breath of air. He happened to look toward 4616 and was startled to see the lower face of the building enveloped In -smoke In which there were llttlo red veins of tlame. Arouse. Family in Burning House.

Pete.s forgot about his loaves and pot over to 4616 in two or three Jumps. Then he and Byrne set about awakening Joseph Brennan, his wlfo Rose and the three-weeks-old babv on the first floor. They knocked on "the door and got them tip, but they could go no farther because of the smoko barrier. On the second floor lived Dennis Healy, his wife. Margaret, and Margaret and Lillian Healy, the twins, 17 years of age, who are telephone operators.

The Brennns rapped up the Healys and the twins Jumped up and donned bath robes. Then they hammered on the ceiling with brooms until they heard some one walking around above and know that the Locks were aroused. When Lillian was satisfied that the Locks were alive to their danger, she made her way to a front window and over the cornice to 4618, where she got in through a window to the apartments of Meyer Libbon and was oared for. Margaret followed the cornice and then Healy, with tho assistance of Byrne, helped Mrs. Healy across.

It was Lillian Healy who turned In an alarm as soon as she possibly could. When the firemen arrived, however, the flames were under great headway and the position of tho Locks was perilous. Lillian Healy ran out into the street and saw Lock standing at a window. She called to him, above the crackle of the flames, to take his wife and children and run to the roof, but apparently he did not hear. He assembled his little flock in the parlor.

The firemen, with tho knowledge that there was life to save on that top floor, ran up ladders and mounted quickly. The men of Truck 282, under Captain John McGowan, found the silent figures of Walter and Beatrice stretched out on the floor and. wrapping them in blankets, carried them down. They laid them on the floor of the tailor shop at 4622 New Utrecht avenue and sent for a pulmotor with which they tried in vain to druw forth a spark of life. They did not abahdon their efforts for hours.

Coroner Wagner visited the Fourth avenue station later and told Captain Ciillen that there were no fire-escapes on the building and that, in his opinion, tho law had been violated. He also said that there were seven other buitdinsrs close by which were not fitted with fire-escapes and that ho Intended to a full report of the circumstances to the Tenement House Department. The tire marshal today was investigating the cause of the fire which last night damaged the one-story frame building at 869S Sixteenth avenue, used as poultry house by Max Greenfield. Patrolman Clarence Loomis of the Bath Beach station discovered the fire soon after It started and it was extinguished after it did slight dam. sc.

Loomis reported thit he found some straw, apparently saturated with stacked against the rear of the building. Greenfield declared he knew nothing: about the straw and know of no enemies who would be Mkclj tu utlemi't tu burn his building. Extensive Blaze on Speedonia May Be Incendiary. Fire, which broke out in the hold of the British four-masted sailing yessel Speedonia early today while the vessel was moored at. the foot of Court street, did several thousands of dollars worth of damage.

The vessel was loaded with nitrate of soda and saltpetre, both Ingredients In the manufacture of munitions, and the report soon gained curroncy that the lira was the result of a plot to destroy Uie ship and her cargo. Captain John Williams of the ship fought the flames with members of his crew until the arrival of a fire-boat when the hold was flooded. The ship is owned by It. D. Brilley of Cardiff, Wales.

Tho damage is variously estimated at from $2,000 to $10,000. FINED FOR AUTO KILLING Ohio Assembly Calls Upon People to Hold Up Hands of the President Columbus, Ohio, February 2 By a unanimous vote, tho Lover House of the Legislature this morning adopted a resolution introduced by Representative John Chester, Republican, of Paulding County, calling upon citizens of Ohio to stand behind President Wilson during the present international crisis. A copy of the resolution trill be sent to thcSrcsidcnt. Defective Brakes Caused Mishap, Youth Pays $25. Russell U.

Mathias, 22 years old, of 257 Eighty-ninth street, who, on January 21 ran over and killed 8-year-old Jorn Kornlebeck of 809 Sixtieth street, near the lad's home, was fined $25 by Magistrate Nash in tho Fifth avenue court today. The fine was based on testimony furnished by Patrolman Finnegan that Mathias' auto had defectivo brakes. Mrs. Margaret Sanger and Miss Fannie Mindell won the same verdict of "Guilty" today In tho Court of Special Sessions that was the lot of Mrs. Ethel Byrne In the birth control trials arising out of the clinic main-talned by Mrs.

Sanger at 46 Amboy street, East New York. Mrs. Sanger, head and forefront of the clinic, was found guilty of violation of Section 1142 of the Penal Code for dissemination of birth control in-formatln, while Miss Mindell, an assistant, was adjudged guilty because of the distribution of the booklet "What Every Girl Should The unanimous vote of the Court convicted Mrs. Sanger, but Presiding Justice Freschi dissented from his colleagues. Justices O'Keefe and Herman, in the vote on Miss Mindell.

Neither of the women was sentenced today. That, was deferred until Monday, Justice Freschi announced: although he also made it known that the sentence would not bo pronounced even then, should it happen that Justice 'Cropsey had not yet decided the writ of prohibition which has been applied for by Jonah J. Goldstein, counsel for the two women. Both Mrs. Sanger and Miss Mindell looked very palo and weak after the verdict of the Justices of the court had been pronounced, but neither gave any sign of breaking down.

Indeed, both looked resolutely determined when the possibility of having their finger prints taken confronted them. But in this respect, at least, they won a tactical victory. For, for the first time in the history of Special Sessions, us it is known to observers here, the finger printing of the two convicted women did not follow at once on the verdict of guilty. Whether this was because each of the women had announced she would not submit to the ordeal without making a scene was not brought out, but the finger prints were not taken. Miss Mindell, expecting conviction, had announced: "If I am convicted and they attempt to take my finger prints there will be a scene In this court such as has never been seen In the court nnd never will be.

paralleled. I came to this country because it was free. If this is freedom, I'd much prefer to return to tho tyranny of Russia." There was no word of this kind from Mrs. Sanger, but she indicated otherwise that she intended to fight with all that was In her ugalnst any finger-printing ordeal. STOCK MARKET TURNS WEAK The stock market turned weak this afternoon, and prices in somo instances gave way sharply, the low levels in some Issues being below tohse of yesterday.

U. S. Steel sold to within 2 points of yesterday's low. American Beet Sugar was the only strong spot in the stock list an advance of 8 points being scored early. Directors this afternoon declared a dividend of $21 share on the common and Increased the annual payment from fi to 8 per cent.

A few special-lies which reached new low levels were V. S. Industrial Alcohol, Texas Company and Atlantic Gulf and West Indies. Cotton broke 60 to 70 points in the early dealings but part of this k's was later recovered. 23 Shots at Ship; U-Boat Scared Off by One Shot Germany's Aim, to Sink 1,000,000 Tons a Month (better than that, all right: and so did material Tor making them, and ng to, mortality conditions.

Information on, these points may have some elTec- i upon shaping the exact course (hat will be pursued by the I'nited States At least, it may shed some light wtt Germany's real intentions. fj But those who believe that Germany will back down are few in numher and cannot be said to bp identified in anv influential way with the Administration. They are merely hoping against hope. The absolute secrecy with which the President is. guarding his plans Is a matter of considerable criticism In Washington, on tho ground that the American people are entitled to prompt knowledge of what is facing them, so they may prepare accordingly.

One of the President's difficulties is that he has so few persons with whom he can consult in such a great crisis. The assistance that he gets from members of his own party in Con-press is of little or value to him. Nor does the President's Cabinet form a body upon which he can lean heav-ilv. He stands practically alone In dealing with international affairs. One natural result of this fact, is secrecy concerning bis plans, which are rarely known until anounccd ill a formal wa v.

Public clamor has never moved Mr. Wilson to imstc in diplomatic matters, and it will not now. Nor does it move v. i A .11, ii ,1 if u-hat hp ron op imately 1.000,000 tons, in addition to large amount of neutral tonnag which will be deterred from entering the prohibited areas by the submarine terror. Those who base their opinion of the merits of the decision upon such figures declare that two to three months of operations on this scale would provided the United How a German submarine fired 23 shots at an armed British freighter, and fled when the gun crew of the f-cighter summoned up nerve to reply with one shell, was told yesterday by officers of the liner Port Augusta, loading a cargo for Australia at tlio foot of Clark street.

The Port Augusta was bound for London by way of the Mediterranean with a cargo from Calcutta. She had been held two weeks at the Gibraltar naval station waiting for coal, and while she was thero a 4.7 naval gun was mounted on her stern. "We were entering the zone and had reached a point off l'shant when we sighted a big submarine lying about, four miles oft. The sea was as smooth as glass when she began to move toward us. Two or three men crawled out and uncovered a llttlo gun on her deck and trained it in our direction and began tiring.

"At first the shells fell short. He came In closer nnd they becan to go over us. One hit the funnel and another cut. strands of the rlgRing. "'Why don't you our captain asked tlie chief gunner.

'They are out ut the gunner said. We kne.v ne. nen one oi ineir nneos punencu a little hole In a plate where we could all see that it was made by a small shell. "All of the gunners but one were paralyzed stiff and hung back in the companion ways. It was the first submarine they had seen.

One man crawled back to the stern and climbed the ladder to the platform. He swung the gun around, fired the one shot that was in her and then came down again. "His shot went wide about a quarter of a mile but the submarine turned tail and went oft fourteen miles where he sank a big sailing vessel just for spite." After the Port Augusta reached port her crew saw a Berlin dispatch telling how a certain U-boat had been attacked off l'shant by an armed merchantman at the same hour nnd on the same day that this encounter had taken place. "The freighter fired with a six-inch gun and only superior speed saved the read the dispatch. The Tort Augusta's gun crew was court-martialed while the ship was unloading her cargo, and the captain of the ship was told that if he eared to press charges against thorn they could be Imrnsonei for ten scars.

Berlin, February 1 (via London, February 2) The atitude of tho German people In respect to the new submarine policy, so far as ascertained tods from conversations with In various walks of life, in and out of politics, is that the inauguration of an unrestricted submarine campaign is dictated by stern necessity and for self-preservation, and that in such a life and death struggle no regard can longer be paid to other considerations. The all-absorbing question in every discussion concerns the attitude of America. Lltle criticism of the Government Is heard. Even a socialist speaker In the Reichstag committee meeting today is reported to have aligned the party behind tlio Government on tills decision. Whatever was said In committee, was confidential, but in outside circles one bears estimates of the number of submarines running to several hundred, and the conviction is expressed that the amount of tonnage sunk monthij can be increased tj aprrox States were not drawn into the war bring England to a point where sho would be willing to discuss terms.

The great likelihood that the step will precipitate a crisis in German-American relations, severance of diplomatic intercourse and perhaps further consequences, Is generally recognized and undoubtedly has been taken into account In the Government's calculation. But the belief Is often expressed that the situation ts not hopc-iess, and that the institution of an unrestricted submarine campaign may perhaps, after the recent peace discussions, not lead to a break with the United States a consummation which would be hailed with joy by an overwhelming majority in the nation. Discussions in tho Reichstag committee revolve largely around the question of the prospective result of a campaign based on the number and OOll IV may not do. Despite the intense pressure for news, and (he vast whirlpool of speculation, the President will not show his hand until he is ready. one explanation that Is being offered concerning tho present secrecy nf the Administration is the fact that, if a break with Germany is at hand.

It is necessary for this country to make certain prepnrations and tnko numerous precautions of a military nature which it Is inadvisable to dii-tio'ie in advance. LHAlNCHfi. i efficiency of submarines..