The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-17
TROUBLE
HOVERS
OVER US.
America Caught Between Fires
Of England and Germany.
Government Admits Serious
ness of Situation.
NO WORD FROM GERMANS
Gerard's Word Is AnxiOusly
Awaited at Washington.
The War Zone Order Goes Into
Effect Tomorrow.
MANY TO take The RISK
A Majority Of the Neutral Ship
ping Lines
Will Continue Their SailfngS
From British Ports.
PAINTED ON THEIR SIDES
Will Continue Their SailfngS
From British Ports.
Will Be Their Names, Nation
ality and Flags.
HOPE German Submarines Will
Make No Mistakes.
BULLETIN.

London. Feb. 17.-Englands navy
Is ready to meet the German subma-
rinc raid. Just how this latest danger
to British commerce is to be cOped
with Is known only to the admiralty.
Escorts are to he provided for the
British merchant fleets. The de-
stroyer and torpedo boat flOtillGs have
been assigned to patrol duty along the
steamship lanes. British subylRrbncS
are also expected to be active.
Washington. Feb. 17.-Caueht be-
tween the fires of Englands determi-
nation and Gerniany's resentment
this government was admittedly seri-
ously troubled today as to what the
foreign nations answers will be to re-
cent American protests.
With Germany's war zone order ef-
rective Thursday. Ambassador Ge-
rard's reply from the German gov
ernment to the United States had not
been officially received early today
but they anticipated it's receipt before
night. The prospect for a favorable
or compromise reply was considered
slight
At the same time nothing has been
heard of the English flag protest an
swer but officials are convinced that
England will not relent in her plan
to drive Germany to starvation. No
more do they believe Germany will
drop plans to annihilate commerce in
TIE war zone.
Between these two attitudes, gov
ernment officials foresaw more or less
serious trouble for America. Her
commerce must eventually suffer in
such an arrangement-and the pOssi-
bility of Germany's destruction of
American vessels or American lives
was always to be considered.
The Wilhelmina case still hung fire
today.
War Zone Near England.
London, Feb. 17.-At the stroke of
midnight the waters surrounding the
coasts of the United Kingdom will be-
come. far lies within the power
of Germany to make them. a war zone
in which all vessels. neutral or other
wise. will penetrate at their peril.
Some of the services across the chan
mel probably will be curtailed, but a
majority of the neutral shipping lines
will accept the risk and continue their
sailings. The names and nationality
of the vessels and the flags of their
nations will be painted on their sides
in the hope that German submarines
will not sink them by mistake.
Englands announcement of the de-
tails of her proposed retaliatory pol
icy. by which she plans to shut off the
German food supply from the outside
is expected momentarily and appar-
emily there is not the slightest pros
pect that this country will accept the
German proposal to call off the block
ade If Englind will relax naval pres
sure on shipping. 1t is not expected
that there will be any immediate and
widespread activity by the German
submarines but the development re.
garding neutral ships should bring tC
a head one of the most interesting and
threatening situations of the war.