The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-16
ENGLAND
[By Ed /. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent


Corrospondent.l
LONDON, Feb. 16.-Engiand awaits
tho coming of "Der Tag with supreme
confidence. OffIciaIdom generally ac-
cepts the enforcement Of the German
submarine blockade which commences
on Thursday az indicating tho "be-
ginning Of the end" II ls felt that
this will bo Germany's last great blow.
Her ZeppeIins having failed to come
up to expectations and her fleet be-
Ing forced TO remain impotent behind
her closely guarded land Notifications,
the last weapon available 10 her great
fleet Of submarines. And the British
admiralty very calmly declares that
the precautions already taken will alb
soluteiy nuIIIfy any under-seas raid
that may be attempted.
There 10 not single official Of 9th
er tho army or the navy but believes
that Germany will mark her own doom
the moment her submarines unloose
their torpedoes at merchantmen
carrying passengers. They declare the
civilized world will not view with
equanlrity the sending to the bottom
Of trading ships with their crews and
passengers unwarned and unable to
save themselves. !.
There 10 no Disgusting this. All Of
the British newspapers echo II. It was
openly expressed on the floor Of the
house Of commons Moreover, In his
declaration last night that the navy
was ready, Winston Churchill, spear,
ing for the admiralty, Indicated that
Il was possible the British sea forces
would act before tho Germans strike.
Il 10 considered certain today In the
light Of this speech, that the combin-
ed British-French-R Russian fleets WI,
enforce what is likely to prove the
most complete blockade ever attempt
ed by beiiigerents. Il ls the Intention
Of the government entirely to cut OF
all German ports from shipping, to
drag for theIr mines, and In all proh-
ability 70 attempt to force some Of
the weakest Of their defended har.
bors.
The newspapers today, commenting
on the German notes toIthe United
States declare there is no reason to
believe otherwise than this Is one last
man officiaidom to ''save Its face.
ivy 0SStafC Sst0 UHlIdty 0lkA&LtOI
was never bettst The fpoEsibittyy 8,
! coneeriptlon has been absolutely re
moved by tho enormous number Of vol
unteers who have and who are flock
ing TO the coiors. While the govern
ment refuses figures, It can be stated
as fact that there are now under
arms all Of tho men that the govern
ment II prepared to outfit at the pres
ent time and that In addition, millions
are now either on French soil or en-
route there In trained and equipped
levies to fiji all gaps for at least three
months. Many British newspapers
charge the German submarine block
ade was planned entirely for the pur
pose Of involving the United States
and other neutral nations. II they
,, should be brought into the presen,
situation, German officiaIdom, the pa
pers say would be able to declare tha,
with the entire world against her
Germany can no longer fight and mus,
make the best peace terms that sh,
can. This view, in the opinion Of
newspapers, Is supported by the pres
ent antiAmerlcan agitation in the
German press. II is pointed out thai
rigid German censorship could have
prevented the printing Of any of these
articles and the very fact that they
have appeared, is cited as proof thai
the anti-American agitation has the
approval Of the government. The Pal
Mall Gazette today days: "our riah'
is to adept the most drastic retalia
tory measures against tho enemy,
contention Of every law of consciou:
and humanity. Our power to make
them effective Is guaranteed by ouI
proven moral material and the ascend
ency Of our men. II the Germans dare
face the issue, we shall be bes'
pleased
! The Globe says: "churchilI's an
nounccment Is no idle threat. Momen
/ tous events are transpiring"