Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-29
By Bond P. Geddes.

the world family of nations marked
1915. Serious crises marked the
twelvemonth; and more threatened in
1916. This nation passed safely
through the vortex of the world war
and the tangled skein of war politics,
though often very near severing rela-
tions with European powers. Its peace
has been threatened from within and
without
The country faces in the new year
more delicate problems, including new
and old disputes with Europe's bellig-
erents.
The killing of over 100 Americans on
the hign seas, destruction, seizure and
attacks upon American vessels, ruth
less confiscation of American property
and interference with American com
merce; dismissal Of foreign diplomats,
resignation of its own Secretary of
State, and European criticism of its
neutrality were the outstanding events
of 1915 in American world diplomacy.
Peaceful settlement of the dispute
with Austria over her attack upon the
Italian liner Ancona, with England
over her trade interferences, with Ger
many over the Lusitania incident and
with the Teutonic powers over un-
neutral conspiracies in this country
were the quartet of dominant and deli
cate problems facing us in 1916.
Red Letter days on the 1915 calen-
dar were:
March IS, England's blockade of
Germany; May 7, Sinking of the Lus-
itania; June 9, Secretary Bryan s res
ignaton; August 10, Sinking of the
Arabic; September 10, Recall of Aus
trian Ambassador Dumba; October 4,
Half billion loan to the allies; Novem-
Der 9, Sinking of the Ancona; Decem-
ber 3, Recall of German Capts. Boy-ed
and Won Papen
These and numberless other entangle-
ments Of the war caused Uncle Sam to
break all records in diplomatic note
writing. Hundreds of notes were sent
The chief years diplomatic victory
was the, enforced modification by Ger
many of her submarine warfare.
Today the United States stands with
increased power and prestige, but still
weighted with the task of perfecting
peaceful settlements with England,
France, Germany and Austria in most
delicate and difficult complications
The passing year was rife with diplo-
matte dynamite. A chronicle of the
more important international events
follows:
January 5. U. s. agrees with Eng,
land to certify non-contraband car
goes. 8. England denied unduly seiz-
ing American ships. IL. England pro-
tested transfer of cotton steamer Da,
cia from German to U. S. registry 2S.
American schooner William P. Frye
sunk by German raider Prinz Eitel
Friedrich.
February 5. Because of German
government confiscating all foodstuffs,
England seized American grain steam
er Wilhelmina. II. U. S. warned Eng
land and Germany not to abuse use Of
American flag or attack American
ships. l6. German submarine block
ade of England protested. IS. British
note denies American commerce in
Jured. 19. German note rejected Am
erican protest against sinking neutral
ships in war zone about England. 20.
Two notes from England affirmed
right to seize steamer Wilhelmina and
promised limited use of American flag.
Il. American cotton steamer Carib
sunk by mine, two Americans killed.
~. Government began probing supply
1ng of German warsnips from New
York by Hamburg-American line off
eials. 2S. France seized Dacia.
March 10. German raider Prinz Fit
.el Frederick arrived at Newport News
and later interned. 2S. Leon Thrash
er, American, killed when German sub
marine torpedoed British steamer Fal,
aba.
April l. French $5O,OOO,OOO loan ne.
gotiated. 5. U, S. asks Germany for
reparation for schooner William P.
Frye 6. France released August Piep-
enbrink, German, seized on American
steamer. Note to England declares
German blockade illegal. Z. Prinz
Eitel Frederick interned. Germany
protested against steamer Odenwald IS
detention at San Juan, Porto Rico. II.
German raider Kronprnz Wilhelm
reached Newport News. 12. Germany
protests against American munitions
sales to allies 81. State department
advises Germany munition sales are
made by legal right, 20. Kronprinz
Wilhelm interned.
May |. Lusitana sailed from New
York despite German embassy warn
ings 3. American steamer Gulflight
torpedoed by German submarine off
ocilly Isles. three Americans killed. 7.
Lusitania torpedoed by German subma-
rine, ia Americans killed. 13. U. s..
note to Germany demands disavowal
Lusitania attack, reparation and ces-
satiOn summarizing of ships carrying
non-combatants. %. American steam.
er Nebraskan sunk by mine or torpedo.
30. Germany delivers reply note TO
Ambassador Gerard regarding Lusitan-
ia, alleging vessel armed.
June 5. German notes regard at.
tacks on Cushing and Gulfligat. O..
Secretary of State Bryan resigns. 10.
U. s. sends second Lusitania note to
Germany holding her to strict account.
ability. 25. England refuses to abani-
on German blockade. 30. Canadian
liner Armenian torpedoed. 21. Am.
erican hostlers killed.
July 7. Navy department takes con-
troll of German wireless plant at Say
vile, L. ]. IS. Austria in note pro-
tests against munitions sales to allies.
1S. Cunarder 0rduna unsuccessfully
chaed by submarine 80. U. s. sends
third Lusitania note 10 Germany, advis-
ing that repetition will be consider.
Cd deliberately unfriendly," 27.
American steamer Leelana Summarized,
crew saved.
August A. Three notea from Enofand