The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-28
UNCLE SAM WILL
NOT ASK ANYBODY
Continued from pas. ~

make any concessions which would
be OF material benefit to Germany.
They say that all of the unofficial
information reaching them. indicates
there is really shortage-but long
way from very serious one-in Ger,
many.s food supplies and that natur-
| ALLY Germany's enemies will be I'M
willing to permit her to get unlim-
tied additions for her civilian popuia-
ton, which would Immediately re-
lease for the use of the army, the
food stuffs that must from now on be
divided between the military and the
non-combatants.
Ambassador Gerard, at Berlin, has
been very frankly told by the Ger
man foreign office that Germany
igympathizes with the position of the
| limited States. Unoficially he has
ibeen informed that all Germany ever
4 has desired was that she have the
fright to care for her non-combatants.
He has been told that the submarine
blockade was decided on by the ma
val staff as the best possible reprisal
flor the English attitude. But he also
has had it pointed out to him that the
commanders Of the German "unter-
see boote'' are experienced naval
men who have the silhouettes ct all
allied and neutral ships before them
and that while they may make mis-
takes and sink minor neutral craft,
there is absolutely no danger OF a
torpedo being launched from sub
| marine against q paSsengefcarrying
vessel which is honestly a neutral
steamer.
| So far as can be learned tonight.
however, no belAgerent power is on
official record as to Its attitude. They
are all In the position of denying any
information that my "leak", and all
are admittedly passing out as feel
ers," tips to the newspapers In their
own countries, outlining possible &C
ton but retaining the right to Off,
ciaIIy deny any suggestion that
might become unpopular.
] President Wilson is determined to
maintain an attitude OF strictest
neutrality" explained one OF his
closest confidents tonight. He prob
ably, more than any one else, realizes
| that the very existence OF the United
States may depend on its attitude
now. He has told his repres entatiyes
abroad and his cabinet at home that
this government cannot carry a chip
on its shoulder under the present cir
curnstances. It will protect its cfti-
zens and its national honor at all
costs
But the president has accepted at
their face value the declarations OF
every one of the belligerent powers
that they respect our friendly inten-
lions and he will absolutely discount
tenance jingoism at all times.
! He has emphasized the position he
ASSUMED at the commencement OF the
/ Mexican trouble, that lives should
he sacrificed to mistaken sentiment.
| And he will decline to listen to
any one who attempts to make POI
iilitical capital out OF situation Ad-
imittedly loaded with dynamite.
! Within the last forty-efght hours.
the president has reiterated to Chair
man Stowe Of the senate foreign re-
Iations committee and other close ad.
yisors, that the greatest danger In
the present situation Is the great dan
ger CT talk. He has expressed be-
lief that many stories which have
been given widespread circulation
both in the United States and abroad,
have been Set afoot by friends OF
certain belligerents and because OF
this he has refused to dignity any
! Of them with defiance. Summing up
the national position it was said at
the state department as follows: We
are sticking to watchful waiting both
/! at home and abroad. 1t is a policy
which saved us many lives last
spring and summer and we believe 1t
will prevent the loss of single
American in battle over the European
trouble
! Although Ambassador Vandyke from
THE Netherlands, reported rumors OF
the E.velyn's crew missing, it Is re-
ported by Secretary Bryan he has no
confirmation of this report. and he is
still hopeful 1t will prove an error.
Dseia Causes no Surprise.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Such gov
eminent officials as could be reached
I tonight expressed no surprise at the
Dacia capture. An official of the war
| risk bureau said earlier in the day
that news of its seizure might be ex-
lpected at any time.
| The Dacia, originally Hamburg
! American line steamer, was purchas-
ed by Edward n. Breitung, banker OF
Marquette, Mich, and placed under
American registry on January 4. She
had been engaged in carrying freight
Icargoes between New Orleans and
Galveston and other gulf ports and
| Bremen.
| At the beginning of the war, the
Dacia was tied up at Port Arthur be-
cause Of her German ownership and
/ the fact that England assumed control
of the seas. After her purchase by
Breitung. she was sent to Galveston
where she took on a cargo of cotton
and after many days sailed for Brs-
men. The sale Of the Dacia at once
doomed big in international affairs,
The French government was first to
take action and informal protests de-
cIared the sale was not bonaf1de, but
] a plain attempt of her owners to pre-
vent inferno.
Great Britain later Joined France