The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-05-13
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER
EXCHANGE.

Greater anxiety exists in Washington
over the torpedoing of the American
tank ship Gulflight by German sub
marine than has been caused by any
previous event growing out of the war
in Europe. There is no concealment of
the fact that if the circumstances of
the case prove to have been as now I'M
derstood, very serious issue will have
been raised between the United States
and Germany which may have vast eff
feet upon the relations of the two ma
tions. Pending an official investiga-
ton of the facts, the United States gov
eminent will defer diplomatic represen-
tations as well as any pronouncement
of policy.
President Wilson on his return from
Williamstown, Mass, communicated
with Secretary Bryan and State Depart
ment officials, who immediately be-
gan an investigation of the law per-
tanning to the ease. Their unanimous
opinion was that, from the reports thus
far received, there was no excuse for
the attack on the vessel, for even if
she could be accused of carving con
traband, the ship should have been Wis
tied and searched, and her crew trans
ferred to place of safety before the
cargo could be confiscated
It is strongly indicated here that of
ficials find it difficult to view the
Gulflight case by itself. Instead of
being an isolated case, it seems to be
regarded more as the eliminating Incl
dent of series, each excessively mani
Testing if not deliberate intent to af-
front the United States. at least an
alarming disregard due the American
government. But this government is
not thrown off its balance by the Incl
dent, and all citizens would do well
to pattern their behavior after the de-
meanor of the government. When the
facts are all known facts and not mere
speculation, appropriate action can and
will be taken.
Almost as soon as the trial of VIM
Barnes libel suit against former Presi-
dent Roosevelt disappears from the
front pages of the newspapers through
out the country its place will be taken
by accounts of legal battle here in
Washington that promises developments
of more absorbing interest. The suit
of the Riggs National Bank against the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Com
troller of the Currency must inevitably
abound in politics, -politics of the
present day and hour, involving the adj
minlstration now in control Seldom
has any action in court been so widely
advertised in advance, and it will be a
prime attraction from the moment the
court opens.
Administration officials, painfully
aware of the unfortunate political eff
feet of the controversy as it now frames
up, are extremely anxious to have the
injunction suit brought by the Riggs
officials confined simply to an inter
probation of the law defining the pow
ers of the comptroller of the currency.
This is with view of purging treasury
official of the charge of persecution
brought by the bank officials.
1t is understood that resentment was
expressed in banking circles in differ
ent parts of the country at the further
demands for detailed information of ma.
tional bank transactions which it was
announced would be made in the next
call for condition by the comptroller
of the currency. The ire of the bank
ers was aroused not so much by the
character of the information asked, as
by the impression received that in max
ing these general demands upon all the
banks in the country, the treasury de-
partment was seeking to bolster up it's
case of the Riggs National bank.