TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-06-01
70 the EdIlor u lhs s,art

TO the Editor 81 the Start
When the war between Great
Britain and Japan against The United
States broke ont on August T. 1920,
the United States having no great
navy a. compared with England and
Japan, had 10 rely mainly for its
defence on rs fleet oi submarines.
One Of the FIRST acts nf the war on
the part of the Japaneae-English ale
lance was a blockade against the
Importation Of foodstutfs into the
United States. Japan landed q great
army in Mexico and cut oil supplies
from South America by land. Eng
lish and Japanese troops held
Canada and all communication from
the north was cut off with constant
heavy fighting on the border.
France, protesting great friendship
for the United States, was neutral,
but her great factories we're turning
u all kinds Of war supplies Tor
Great Britain and Japan. The United
States made no protest on that
score, but called the attention Of
France to the fact that all her ships
and other neutral ships carrying nom
.ontraband of war had been held up
ind confiseafed by England and
Japan. France and the other neutral
countries made protest against the
holding up Of neutral cargoes, but
vent no further. England and Japan
boasted they would starve out the
United States. In reply to this pol
cy the United States declared a
blockade OF the Canadian coast and
i'll English waters with submarines
ind said she proposed to sink any
vessel under the English flag en-
tering the war gone, and warned all
neutraIs to stay out of the zone.
This was the condition six months
after the opening Of the great war
when the Cunard liner Mutisania,
which had been making trips be-
tween Hayre and Halifax, was an
bounced to leave Havre for Halifax
with a great cargo oil war supplies
including 100000 worth Of car
tridges, as we'll as eighty cases
marked military supplies, containing
picric acid, one Of the most power
fui explosives. 1t also had booked
about 1900 passengers. 900 Of them
English and among these 1853 reser-
visits Of the English Army, who were
going out to Canada to fight. There
were about 200 French passengers
booked and among them several
contractors going to Canada to make
new contracts for war material. The
American Embassy in Paris issued
a warning TO all French persons
booked not to 90 to Canada on any
ship flying the English flag. Thai
there was great danger to neutrals
going to Canada on b~eiIigerent ships
and that the American submarines
were ordered to sink any ship Aging
the English flag. Many Of the
Frcnchmcn who were on board al
Havrc got private kilograms telling
them they were taking great risk ii
making the trip on nn English shil
during war time. In the meantime
there was great indignation iii Anne.
RIGA owing to the shipment Of aero.
planes and war supplies Of aiI kinds
from France to Canada and ths
British West Indies. The EpgfisE
war supplies had been running short
bit the supply from France wal
very large, and Ii was coming K
Canada III A constant stream and Il
The West Indies on fast EngIisf
passenger steamers flying the French
Tag sometimes when they were Ii
danger. These fast steamers were
armed with rapid-fire guns which
we're always mounted after they pul
ID YEA. The Mutisania sailed viii
It's great cargo of war supplies ans
It's large list Of passengers. all q
whom ignored the American warn
ing given by orr ambassador d
Paris. Iii the meantime Rear Ad
niral Foreman commanding thi
American fleet gave orders To hi
submarine commanders 10 leave III
enemy vessel get BY, especially fas