The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-17

gJinited Press Leased wire SerVlceJ
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Caught
hatween the fires of English deter
mination and Germany's resentment,
this government was admittedly seri.
ously troubled today at what these
1oreien nations answers will be to re-
cent American protests.
with Germany's war zone order ef-
fecttve Thursday, Ambassador Ger
ards reply from the German govern
T ment to the United States warning
was not before officials early today
hut they anticipated its receipt be
fore night. The prospect for favor
able or compromise reply was consid.
cred slight.
+ At the same time, nothing has been
!. heard OF the English flag protest an.
swer. but officials were convinced
that England will not now relent in
her plan to drive Germany to starva.
tion. No more did they believe Ger.
many will drop plans to annihilate
commerce in the war zones. Between
these two attitudes, government OH
c,als foresaw more or less serious
trouble for America Her commerce
must inevitably suffer In such an ar
/ ranssnknt and possibility Of the
Gesnan Destruction Of an American
vessel or OF American lives was al
SO to be considered.
The Wilhelmina case still hung fire
today.
Preliminary notice from Ambassa-
dor Gerard concerning Germany's re.
ception Of Americas communication
on the war zone order was non-com-
initial. The answer was expected to
be proposal-make England recede
from her starvation plan and we will
relax our war zone retaliation meas.
ures.
The far eastern and Mexican situa.
tions today loomed with increasing
menace on the horizon. The United
States admittedly is watching anxious.
5iy Japan's demands on China, lest the
open door" to the latter country be
closed and America be involved.
Danger from the possible departure
OF foreign diplomats from Mexico
City grew. With the water supply
shut off and famine stalking in the
city. it was said the diplomats might
be forced to quit solely for health rea.
sons. Their departure, 1t was said
undoubtedly would leave state OF
anarchy worse than any Mexico has
known and enc in which this nation
might have to take drastic hand.
The WiIheImina Case
FALMOUTH. England. Feb. IA
british prize crew today has posses
esion of the American steamer Wilhel
NINA whose cargo OF food stuffs is
consigned to Germany. 1t is under
stood that when the priz. court con
siders the case, the American ambas
sador will be present at the hearing
William T. Brooking, manager OF
the export department OF the w. l.
Gfeen Commission company Of st
Louis, owners OF the cargo, Is on the
ground. armed with afIidavits showing
that the Green company for years
maintained a general export business
~ Hamburg and that It was in order
20 prevent the loss Of that business
mat the cargo was shipped.
The food, his documents set forth
was to be sold to the civilian popula
tion of Hamburg. It will be claimed
that the suggested forfeiture Of this
cargo is fragrant violation Of all the
principles of international law.
Ihere is no doubt that the Wilhel
NINA case is greatly embarrassing
the British government which has
sought in vain to avoid having prize
court pass upon the case because ar
embarrassing precedent may be sci
up
England 10 Ready.
iby Ed L. Keen, United Press Staf1
Correspondent
LONDON, Feb. 17-England's navy
IS ready to meet the German subma
rine raid. Just how this latest dan
ger to British commerce is to be
coped with. is known only to the ad
miralty. But there was in evidence
Today a far more confident feeline
,nan has heretofore prevailed. 1t is
Anown that escorts are to be provid
GU icr the British merchant fleet
few vessels may be held in port
out the majority Of the sailings, 1t is
stated on authority, will take place
on schedule.
:. me destroyer and torpedo boat
nouiias have been assigned to pa
n rloi duty along the steamship lines
nrltish submarines are also expected
20 De active as it is realized that the