, 1915-02-17

approbatory Of the United States protest a,
being measured snd amicabie IN tone, but
grave and firm, and considers that Germany
has not the slightest cause for complaint OF
rudeness or want Of consideration.
A despatch from Rome states th8t Italy's
Note to Germany is identical in substance
with that of the United States.
Advices from Vienna state that Austria
accuses the United States of partiallty to
England and justifes Germany upon her
right of retaliation for England's action.
London, Febr. 16th-The Foreign Office
has announced definitely that if the cargo
OF the "W~ilhelmina' is diverted for the re-
lief of distress in Belgium, the decision to
send the cargo to the British Prize Court
VIII be reconsidered, otherwise the ca so viii
be submitted to the decision OF the Court.
Surprise is expressed at the quick decision,
forestalling negotiations outside the Prize
Court ard anticipating the maturity of Ger
many's war zone announcement.
Iu the House OF Commons, Mr.. Churchill
said that England was prepared to cope with
the German submarines. He gave no de-
tails, but declared that England's reply to
the Germans threat would be effective, add
ing: I'VE have taken care that Germany
shall not be permitted to adopt Il system OF
open piracy md murder" He also intimat-
ed that further action had been taken by tho
Allies to prevent the importation Of food
stuffs in neutral ships to Germany.
Advices from Washington state that the
German Ambassador has presented to the
State Department a Note announcing that
Germany is ready to reconsider her inteu-
ton of attacking British merchantmen if
Great Britain would cease her efforts to pre-
vent foodstuffs going to Germany for civil
lians. The Note declares that Germanv's
plan is a retallatory measure adopted be
cause of the violation of International Law
IN trying to starve non-combatants, but shat
Germany will reconsider the matter as soon
as Great Britain, either of her own ~y0lition,
or as the result of representations from
the neutral nations, expresses her will
ingness to return to the usual practice
of internationally regarding foodstulfs.
The Note adds that Germany has in
formation that English merchant YES
sells are being armed and have orders to sail
in groups for mutual protection md will
try to sink submarines, therefore there is
now no question of searching them and Ger
man ships will fight them because they are
now regarded as w~arships. Great Britain,
according to information received by Ger
many intends to use neutral flags, therefore
neutral shipping is in danger in the war zone
and it is urged therefore that such shipping
should observe the request of Germany to
go around the north of Scotland in tue
course declared to be outside of the war
zone.
The foregoing is not a reply to the United
States Note.
A French official commuuique says:
''There was an uninterrupted lombard
ment of our trenches in the region of the
Dunes yesterday, but our heavy artillery
overpowered the enemy's mortars. We cap
tured trenches about $50 yards long esta-
blished against the Bethune La Bassee high
way. There was sharp connonading in the
region of Lens around Albert, between the
Aisne and the Oise,in the e%nvirons of SCISSORS,