The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-17
Neither England Nor Germany
Recedes From Positions
Taken AT Troubles Outset
Situation Not At
All Encouraging
German Decree Becomes
Effective Tomorrow an d
Dangers of Navigation VIII
Be Increased

Washington. Feb. i6.-There is
small hope now III oGicia, circles that
the United States will be able to avoid
the consequences of the trade war be-
tween Germany and England. Re-
minded by Germany that neutral ship
ping must encounter great dangers in
1.-THE war zone IL England stands by her
policy OF starving the civil population
Iof the Empire. the information con-
corning Great Britain's attitude also
rs far from reassurinE Winston
lChurchiIl's speech In the British Par
lament yesterday was interpreted here
AZ notice that England, instead of re.
ceding from her policy OF holding up
food shipments to Germany. was pre-
pared 10 adopt even more rigorous
measures to starve her enemy.
The Administration now feels that
IT mas done about everything that
properly caa be done to meet tho
situation created bv the unwarranted
use of the American flag by English
vessels and Germany's war zone de-
cree. This Government has called the
iattentlon OF the British foreign Office
10 the disa approval of the use of the
American flag by British mercha mt
vessels; IL has protested to Germany
against the dangers threatening
American commerce by the proposed
operation of shst war gore ,iecrns and
finaiiS. II has submitted TO Great
britain the German notes TO the
United States and facts which il IN
i,eit warrant the release Of the Will
Ihesnina with her food cargo CONSIGNED
Ito Bremen.
Now Await Developments
i having taken these steps, TIE
nited states, it Is felt, has exhaust
ed all eApedients for the present ana
II viii now be merely a matter of
waiting 10 see how far the heIlixer-
en'a are willing to go in observing
the wishes and rights Of this Gov
eminent. II England refuses to re-
cede from hS policy OF starving Ger
many. and If Germany stands pa, on
her war zone decree. as now seems
likely, the United States officiala will
simply await developments and deal
with each case on it's merits as il
comes mp
Should the war zone decree result
in the loss OF an American ship or
American lives this Government will
act as it deems best, having already
notified Germany that she will be
hsId accountable. 1t is the deep
public resentment that would he
aroused in this country through any
such occurrence that 1t Is most fear
II is acknowledged on all sides here
that President Wilson and his ad-
visers are row entering upon a Pc
Rod which II likely to present more
delicate and dangerous questions fer
the United States than for any that
has yet confronted II in the European
struggle. The German war zone de-
cree is scheduled to go into effect
on Thursday. and there has been no
indication here of any intention to
postpone the operation OF the Kai
ser's new policy.
Washington Pcesinaistic.
The state Department Is still wait
ing with great interest for England
TO show her hand by disposing Of the
Wiiheimina case now before the Brit.
ish prize court. This decision will in
dictate clearly what the British course
is to be. and ofYicials in Washington
are frankly pessimistic regarding tho
outcome.
Germany's formal reply TO the Aneri-
can war zone protest. the State Depart
ment has been informed, 10 already on
its way to this country. Owing. how
ever. to the uncertainty OF communica-
ton between the two countries. the full
This reply undoubtedly viii follow the