Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-18
DIPLOMATS Wait ApprehenSiveIy
for Blockade by Submarines
Announced for This Morn
mo.
GRAVE CONSEQUENCES
ADMITTEDLY POSSIBLE
Hopes Are Expressed That No
Attacks on American Yes
sells May Be Made by
Teut0nS,

10y NoRHiNd JOURNAL SPECIAL LtAsEo WRIT
Washington, Feb. 17.-Secretary
Bryan said late tonight that no re-
Div had been received from Germany
10 the American note concerning sub
marine attacks on belligerent mer-
chant ships in the new sea zones Of
war under the German admiralty's
proclamation, which goes into effect
tomorrow If a reply to the represent
tatlons Of the United states had been
delivered i'm Berlin TO Ambassador
Gerard the state department had not
been apprlsed of that fact.
Threat by England.
Publication tonight of the rest Of
Great Britain's complete reply to the
American communication concerning
eontraband and neutral shipping re-
vealed that England does not intend
10 relax her vigilance on the ship
ment Of foodstuffs to Germany and
announces that measures are in con-
temptation TO retailate against sub
marine attacks by Germany on Brit
ish merchant ships.
The warning in the British note
that If Germany abandons the prin-
eiples Of international law by refus-
ing to verify the character of a mer-
chant ship before attacking ii, Eng
land may not be bound by the rules
hitherto accepted. injected into the
general situation further uncertain
ties on which the developments of
the next few days were generally ex-
pected to have an important bearing.
Grave Possibilities.
While officials at the White House
and state department did not discuss
what might be done if any American
vessels or lives should be lost in the
war zones, it was admitted on all
sides that the situation was fraught
with many grave possibilities
Ambassador Gerards dispatches
continued to give the text of anti
American editorials being printed in
semi-official papers in Germany. Or
tcials of the Washington govern
ment however, were confident of the
rights of the Washington govern
ment, and pointed out that a position
similar to that of the United States
had been adopted by practically all
the other neutrals Of the world.
Germans Are Friendly.
Representatives Of the German
government are entirely friendly in
their conferences with Ambassador
Gerard. and there is nothing to show
that officially there has been any
change in the good relations when
have hitherto existed
The manner of carrying out the
submarine campaign is awaited mere
with considerable anxiety. 1t was
hoped that on account of the fact
negotiations were still pending with
neutral governments that the Ger
man proclamation would not actually
be carried into effect for few days
although scheduled to be put into
force at midnight tonight. Many
American vessels would be in the wal
zone in the next few days, having lei'
the United States before the German
proclamation was made public ana
those win be afforded, il is believed
an opportunity to reach thelr desu-
nations.
Not to Employ Warships.
The recent suggestion from GER
man sources that American mer-
chantmen might escape attack ana
secure safety If conveyed by az
American warship, has not met win
approval in naval circles here. II was
pointed out today that no naval cap
tain would be willing to assume ful
responsibility for the non-contrapah'
character of the cargo of any Amer
can ship which might fall in with Ms
vessel and claim his protection, as al
adequate search of the merchantmei