Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-16


on by the allies to prevent the i'm
portation Of foodstuffs In neutral
ships to Germany.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 15.-Count
Hvon Bernstorff, the German ambassa-
dor, today presented to the state de-
partment note from his government
, announcing that Germany stands ready
to consider receding from its announc-
ed intention of attacking British mer-
B chantmen, if Great Britain will with
n draw It's efforts to present foodstuffs
u from going to Germany for the civil
Ian population.
The note declares that Germany's
plan to attack British merchantmen
was retaliatory measure adopted be-
cause of the alleged violation of inter-
national laws by Great Britain in try
ing to starve the noncombatant popu-
lation of Germany, and that the latter
government is ready to withdraw
from its purpose Us expressed in the
naval war zone decree, as far as it
applies to merchant vessels, as soon as
Great Britain, either of it's own voli-
ton or as a result of representations
from the neutrals, expresses her will
lngness to return to the usual prac-
tices Of International law on the ques-
tion of foodstuffs.
The German note adds that the Ber-
lin government has information that
English merchant vessels are being
armed and have orders to sail in
groups for protection and further that
they would try to sink submarines. 1t
declared that there was now no ques-
tionlof searching them but the result
would be that German ships would
fight them because they are now held
to be warships. The note declares
further that Great Britain, according
to the information of Germany, intend
ed to use neutral flags and that there
fore neutral shipping would be in dan
ger in the war zone. It was urged,
therefore, that meanwhile neutral ship
ping observe the request of Germany
(. and go around the north of Scotland
in the course which had been declared
outside the war zone.
1t was stated that the note received
by the ambassador today from his for
eign Office and promptly carried by him
personally to the state department,
was not a reply to the recent American
note to Germany in regard to the war
zone decree. A more comprehensive
and detailed reply to that communica-
ton is expected soon, although it was
not known officially here when 1t
mirht be looked for.
Today's note from Germany, 1t was
pointed out, constituted a sort of inter-
mediary reply, possibly presented to
this government because Of the fact
that the date when the war zone de-
cree goes into effect, February 18, is
SO close at hand.
Britons Insist on Rights.
London, Feb. 15.-The threatened
submarine blockade Of the ports of
the British isles is still an absorbing
topic for English newspapers and the
English people, and Judging from dis
patches reaching here from the contin-
ent, Germany is equally interested.
The report that James w. Gerard, the
American ambassador, has been re-
quested to meet Emperor William at
once on the eastern battle front, Is
taken in London to mean that Berlin
probably will make prompt reply to
man comment on the situation, which
ldS d11SC1A SAlSO 0CAA AAouy uOSAoAC CO q
war zone around the British isles, in
sists that Washington should prevent
the use of the American flag by Great
Britain, and strict observation Of the
declaration of London as the best guar
antees for the safety of American ship
ping. At the same time the Germans
argue that submarines cannot be ex-
pected to make a search Of hostile |
merchantmen before destroying them. !!
Threat Taken Seriously.
The English press insists on regard !
ing the note to Germany as a virtual !
ultimatum 1t does not attempt to !!
forecast Great Britain's reply to the |
Washington communication regarding |
the use of the American flag, but it |
does declare that Great Britain can
not forego her claim to the right to use |
a neutral flag in case Of necessity. An |
indication that England is regarding |
the German threat as something more ,
than bluff, is found in the fact that !
liners are today coming into British
ports with their lifeboats slung out
Ind watered and provisioned.
No disposition yet has been made of
the cargo of the American steamer
Wilhelmina. This ship now seems to-.
be under the voluntary joint guardian
ship of the British foreign office and
tha American ambassador.