The Washington times., 1915-09-02
6ermany's Promises to U. S.
Bring To Close Era Which
=. =. Has Startled World.
METHODS NINE MONTHS OLD
Grand Admiral First Outlined
Plans to Correspondent Last
December.

varfare which comes to an end with
Germany's promises to the United
States first startled the world on De-
cember q. 1914. when Karl H. Won
'Wiegand, then United Press correspond
ent. was given a remarkable interview
with the grand admiral. the head OF the
German navy
In this interview Won Tirpitz forecast
just the sort OF relentless submarine ac-
tivities against merchantmen which has
been pursued since that date. Prior to
December there were sporadic activities
Of submarines. but attention had not
been drawn to this method of warfare.
The Won Tirpitz threat to bottle up
England" by torpedoing every ship
coasts caused amazement. but the
grand admiral's interview was most
Significant and truthful utterance In
view of what has followed.
Caused Much Comment.
This interview was published in The
Times and produced much comment
here, but 1t was not understood at that
time how literally the Won Tirpitz
policies were to be followed nor how
they would eventually bring this coun-
try to the very edge Of the world con-
fict
England wants to starve u.s." said
Admiral Won Tirpitz. I'VE can play
the same game. We can bottle her
UP and torpedo every British or allies
ship which nears any harbor in Great
Britain. thereby cutting off her great
food supplies
The first real shiver Of alarm in Eng
when a German submarine OF a l.ew
type, 800 feet long. and mounting a
rapid-fre gun on her deck. popped up
in the middle Of the Irish Sea, sank
clear clear to % the mouth S Of the Mersey. The
English began to take the new de-
parture submarine commerce de-
stroyers-sertously.
Apparently these first raids were in
ing whether it was practicable to
operate the U-boats on all sides OF the
British Isles. Then, when this had
proHsd Poss1ty on .ssea ity
memorable warning.
THE waters around Great Britain
and Ireland. including the whole Eng
,iish Channel. are decided war zone
on and after February 1S. Every enemy
merchant vessel found in this war zone
will be destroyed, even II it Is inpos-
eible to avert dangers which threaten
the crew and passengers. Also neutral
ships In the war zone are in danger
as in consequence of the misuse OF neu-
tral flags - 1t cannot always be
avoided that attacks meant for enemy
ships endanger neutral ships.
Wilson Makes Protest.
For several days after this proclama
ton little was heard from the German
submarines, and in England, in some
quarters, there was a disposition to re
gard the whole thing as gigantic bluff
President Wilson, however, did not 81
regard it. He foresaw plainly that i
the Germans meant what they said
American lives and American ships wer,
to be placed in grave danger.
On February TO-, accord!ngly; in
plainly worded note, the United States
Government notified Germany that i
sessed any right to domain over th'
high seas, or to infringe upon the rights
of American citizens and American
them. secure in their lives and property
and that If either were placed ii
The United States Government woult
be constrained to hold the imperial Ger
man government to strict accountable
ity.'
Germany was prompt with a reply t,
this firm aoa,Haa and friendly waTnins In he
to cast the responsibility for her threat
ened infractions of international Law
upon the shoulders of her enemy. Eng
land.
On March 2S the British passenger
steamer Falaba was hailed by a Ger
man submarine and ordered to stop.
Ship Sent to Boston.
Instead Of stopping the captain sent
up rockets as distress signals and fled
He was overhauled. Then. when the
Falaba had stopped and surrendered
and was swinging out her boats to save
the lives Of her passengers. the German
fired torpedo into her The Falabs
sank in a few minutes. taking with he,
more than 100 lives-and one Of them wa'
an American.
The United States received this new!
quietly. The Government was waiting
details Of the disaster when, on May /
came the news that on that day thu
American oil tank steamer Gulfiigh
had been torpedoed without warninf
by a German submarine. and that. al
though the ship had reached port IL
Safety, her captain and two of the crew
had perished. while at the same time 4
was learned that on April IS. three day.
before. the American steamer Cushing
had been attacked in the North sea b,