The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-24
INCREASES ANXIETY
WASHINGTON Views With CON-
Germ GERMAN REPLY
ENGLAND IS interested

ENGLAND Is interested
American Authorities Refuse to Indi-
cate What Line of Conduct the
United States is Going to Pursue
| Germany's Stand Up to Her Pre-
yious Warning Increases Feeling.
Germany's reply to the American
warning against attacks on American
vessels or lives in the new sea war
zones increased rather than diminish
| ed the concern Of officials Of the Unit
| ed States government over possible
| complications, though it's friendly
! tone made a favorable impression
/ and gave hope that an understanding
for the protection of neutrals might
yet be obtained.
Officials are apprehensive over the
! formal statement in the note that
Germany disclaimed all responsibility
for what might happen to neutral
| vessels venturing in the danger areas.
| The additional warning, too, that
mines would be laid in British waters
| was regarded not only as menaclng
to ships carrying legitimate cargoes
but as likely to add further to inter-
ruptions which American commerce
has suffered since the wars out
/ break.
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan read the Associated Press copy
of the German note, the official text,
being delayed in transmission. While
no comment was made at either the
White House or the state department,
the feeling Of grave concern was
manifested.
That other neutral nations, espec-
tally Holland and the Scandinavian
countroies, also are apprehensive
concerning the situation and have
consulted the United States became
known Thursday.
Secretary Bryan refused to reveal
Thursday what steps the United
States would take if American YES
sells or lives were lost and details Of
the policy being formulated by the
American government were not dis
closed.
That the United States is looking
for the removal of some Of the causes
Of the present complication in the
Forthcoming answer from England to
the American note concerning the
misuse Of flags was intimated in
some official quarters.
It was pointed out that il categori-
cal assurances were given by Great
Britain and her allies that none OF
their vessels would be permitted to
fly the American or other neutral
flags, German submarines would be
obliged to visit and search neutral
vessels for contraband before Destroy
ing them as prizes.
The suggestion in the German note
that American warships should con-
voy merchantmen was looked upon
by officials as impracticable, because,
if mines were laid, as Germany an
nounces her intention Of doing, con-
voys as we'll as merchantmen, in the
opinion Of American officials, would
be endangered. In fact, the disposi-
ton was to regard the sowing OF
mines in large sea areas as creating
a menace more than submarine war
fare.
When mines were laid in the North
sea, the American government took
the position that it could not deter
mine which of the belligerents was
responsible for the action and did not
protest, especially since pilots were
furnished by Great Britain. With the
admission by Germany Of her inten-
ton to lay Mines. it was intimated
that a protest might be forthcoming
unless pilots were given to neutral
vessels carrying legitimate cargoes.
In German official quarters in
Washington complications with neu-
trails over the war zone decree were
not regarded as likely to occur, be-
cause it was pointed out that Ger
many's campaign was aimed at
steamers carrying cargoes Of contra
band and not vessels devoted entirely
to passenger traffic.
It was said that not only was it
probable that German submarines
would carefully avoid Interference
with any American ships, but that
they would also refrain from attack
ing any Of the-big transatlantic
liners even If they were under the
French or Pritish flags.
London reports: No incidents, so
far as Is known, have yet marked the
opening Of GermaIy's submarine
blockade of the British Isles, al
though it has been in force for nearly
"a hours. Nor has the British gov
ernment thus far announced its prom
ised retaliatory measures.
Precautions, however, are being
taken on this side Of the North Sea,
and although the German govern
ment has warned the German people
not to expect any sensational devel-.
opments for some days, the regular
cross channel passenger services have
been somewhat curtailed and altered.
Otherwise the sea borne trad: OF the
country IS proceeding much as usual.
The White Star steamship Acri-
attic, from New York February 10,
crossed the Irish Sea during the
night, but did not resort to the use
Of a neutral flag to evade German
submarines. Other ocean lines
freight steamers are maintaining reg
ular schedules.
A feet Of freight steamers left
Denmark for England with provisions
aboard, and it was to keep track OF
these. it is believed, that German
airships, one Of which was destroyed
by fire. and another Of which was re-
ported wrecked on the Danish coast,
have been so active.
In England Germany's reply to the
American note Of protest against in
reference with neutral ships is Great
ing more interest than the threaten
ed blockade, and there is a great deal