The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-02-20
MANY BOATS ARE SUNK AND FATE OF CREWS
NOT YET LEARNED
UNITED STATES TO BE FIRM
Attempt to Force Passage Through DardanelIes-
Scandinavian Governments Expected to Protest
British Reply to America Astounds Officials
(By United Press)

the English channel is being patrolled
by number of German submarines,
but, owing to the censorship, the num-
ber and the exact whereabouts are
withheld. Strong representations from
Norway are expected as the result of
torpedoeing the Belridge. Indica-
tions are that the scandinavian
nations will act in concert and they
are expected to ask the cooperation
of the United States. No attempt has
been made by the British officials to
disguise the situation from the stand
point of neutral nations.
No FOOIing With Uncle Sam
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The United
States government intends to stand
firm in it's determination that Ger
many shall not harm American lives,
and commerce in the war zone. Offic-
ial information to this effect was given
to the United Press. Charges and
counter charges in the English and
German hunger-war should not swerve
the United States from its present firm
stand, one of the highest of the gov
ernment officials declared
England Shocks United States
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Fhe state
department received the official texts
of Germany's reply to the protest re-
garding the extension of the war zone,
as well as the British reply to the
American notes regarding the use of
neutral flags and placing the Wilhelm
ina before the prize court.
The British reply regarding the flag
shocked the administration officials.
They confidently believed that Great
Britain would attempt to minimize
the use of the Stars and Stripes or
abandon the practice. Instead, the
foreign office said in effect that while
it would not order the merchant ships
to use our flag, they would not stop
the practice entirely. England justi-
fed the placing of the Wilhelmina be-
fore the prize court because Germany
had decided to seize supplies of food
for the British.
DardanelIes FOrtificatiOns St0rmed
LONDON, Feb. 2O.-The French
feet is again trying to force passage
through the Dardanelles. The state
ment issued by the British admiralty
said, "The combined fleet yesterday
bombarded the fortifications of the
Dardanelles. Forts on the European
side were silenced. Action continued
.oday. Dispatches from Athens say
hat a powder magazine on the Asiatic
side of the Dardanelles was blown up
rs the result of the bombardment, that
)ne of the forts was destroyed, and
hat many members of the garrison
we're killed."
German Claims Denied
PARIS, Feb 20-The German claims
If successes in the north, in Cham
)agne, and in the Argonee districts
ire contradicted by the war office. The
statement reviewed the operations of
he past ten days. 1t declared that
III Developments were favorable to the
lilies. 1t is charged that the Germans
laims to successes were made with
he expectation of influencing the
Italian parliament to continue its poll
cy of neutrality. Despite the bad
weather. the statement says, the allies
ave made notable gains.
Constantin0pIe Greatly Excited
LONDON, Feb 20-A serious at
empt to force the Dardanelles and
repare the way for the capture of
is in progress. This
vas evident when the Athens dis
atches declared that forts on the
static side Of the Dardanelles were
ilenced by the bombardment of the
fleet. Most of the forts
ave been practically destroyed. The
reat activity in evidence on the part
t the admiralty seems to confirm the
elief that the present movement is of
reat importance to the Allies. Ex-
itement in Constantinople is intense.