The Sentinel=record., 1915-02-20

| -
London, Feb l9.-10.30 p. m.-The
British replies to the American notes
on the use of the American flag by
The Cunard line steamer Lusitania
and the decision to hold the cargo OF
| the American steamer Wilnelmina to
prize court were delivered to Wal
ter Hines Page, the American ambas-
sador, today The notes make clear
that while there is no intention to
resort to the use OF neutral flags gen
orally GreaF Britain thinks that neu.
Tal countries should not begrudge
her ships this privilege in view OF
| Germany's threat to destroy British
sea commerce, and further, that in
view of the latest German policy OF
sea warfare, Great Britain contem-
plates declaring all foodstuffs to Ger
many absolute contraband.
Both notes are OF eonclitory
character That in reference to the
use of the American flag points out
that the United States resorted to the
use OF the British flag during tn
civil war. and that If Germany i5l-
lows the usual custom of ascertaining
definitely the nationality of ships
| stopped by her warships no damage
can be done to neutral vessels.
| The detention of the Wilhelmina's
cargo, which is to be sent to a prize
court, is justified on the ground that
| Germany has placed all grain and
flour in the empire under government
control
AS yet Great Britain has not defl-
nitely announced her promised retail
iatory measures against the German
submarine blockade which now has
been in force two days and which SO
far resulted in the torpedoing by Ger
marines OF two vessels-the Freaea
steamer Dinorah off Dieppe, and the
Norwegian tank steamer Beridge,
near Folkestone Both vessels were
damaged but managed to reach port
Some Danish vessels were unable
to sail yesterday owing to the refusal
Of their crews to move them. This
impediment was overcome today,
however, and most Of the Dutch lines
also resumed their schedule under
the governments insurance scheme
The fighting in the west has con-
sisted largely of attacks by the Ger
mans in efforts to recover trenches
which they lost during the allies Of
fensiye maneuvers last Tuesday and
Wednesday. The German claim that
their attacks were successful.
whereas the British and French re-
ports say all the ground they gained
has been consolidated by them
The German army, which drove the
Russians out OF East Prussia has oc-
cuped the Russian town OF TauroS
gen on the east Prussian frontier
north OF the Niemen river, but else
where in this region the Germans ap-
parently have been halted by the ar
rival of Russian reinforcements, as
for three days now the official re-
ports have referred to the fighting as
taking place in the Augustowo dis
trict and / nthe vicinity OF Plock and
Serpec on the right bank OF the
lower Vistula.
In the Carpathians neither side has
been able TO make much progress,
although the Russians announce that
they have repulsed numerous Austro-
German attacks Military men are of
the opinion that the Austro-Germans
did not leave enough men in the Car
PATH, n when they sent the rein
forceMents which assisted in driving
the Russians out of Bukowina, and
that if they are defeated in the noun.
tain passes they may find themselves
in very difficult position.
The Russians apparently made an
orderly retreat through Bukowlna,
although severely harassed while
making their way through the diff
cult mountain passes in deep snow.
Vienna report received through
Rome says reinforcements have
reached the Russians and that big
battle is expected between Nadworna
and Kolomsa.
In addition TO the two German air
ships wrecked off the Danish coast
Wednesday and Thursday 1t was re-
ported today that another has beerS
seen in distress near christiansund.