Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-20
STORY OF QUARREL
OYER SUBSEA WAR
Complications Begin Moment Ger
many Declares War Zone
Around British Isles,
SERIES CRITICAL SITUATIONS


WASHINGTON. Arrll ig,-compllca.
lions between tho United states and Ger
many began piling ~ from the moment
the Submarine war zone Was declared
around the British Isles with all Bu-
rope afire In war, the eyes of the world
were turned upon the United states IN
expectancy ~ developments that would
threaten 10 draw the greatest neItral
into the conference They pero not long
in coping
with the torpedolng of tho Rritirh liner
Falaba, The first American life was lost
Then IN quick succession came tho at
taeks on the Gulfight and the Cushing,
American ships. The sinking Of the
American sailing ship william r. Frye
raised another ifsue. but IL Involved an
ferent questions and. while II compli
Gated the situation. could not assume
the threatening features N the cases
where Americans travelling on passenger
ships 8nd having no part or interest 10
the conduct 81 the var were sent 10
their deaths without warning
Then came the sinking Of the Lusltsns-
almost q year ago IN which 10 Amerl.
cans, many Of them women and children.
were lost IN a submarine attack which
subgeq1ont events proved was known of
In advance 10 the German embassy In
this country and which gas guardedly
advertised IN the dnily parors ln the
form OF o warning TO Americans - keep
on bclligcrcnt ships traversing the war
zone.
II seemed then as n The breaking point
had come and ali eyes we're turned on
President Wilson That night the presl-
dent after shutting himself In his study,
slipped out Of the White House, cluded
the secret service guard, walked for
blocks around silent. uufrequentcd streets
of the capital IN the attitude Of q man
confronted with making great decision
The first note 10 Germany pledglrg the
United Statcsto hold II 10 strict account
ability followed soon afterwards.
Then another national sensation, due
solely 20 the Lualtania negotiations. fol-
lowed. Secretary Bryan resigned because
he could not agree with the presidents
policy, which he believed would lead to
war
While tho Lustanla negotiations wers
proceeding tho Arabic was sunk, with
the death Of more Americans. and II
seemed then the breaking point could not
be ayortod.
Germany Gives Pledges.
The German government then gave ne
assurances not 10 torpedo more diners"
and Count Won Befnstorn Informed Score.
tary Lansing that the German cmpcrors
orders 10 the submarine commanders
we're Of such o nature as 10 admit OF no
Misunderstanding Indemnity for Amcn-
can lives lost on tho Lusltania was Of
fered and while long negotiations over
the form In which Germany should I'D.
nit the ihcgality Of It's act were In prog
gress Austria was brought into the situa-
ton, first by the destruction Of the An.
coma and later by the destruction Of the
persa. although IN the latter case re-
spondbility never definitely was fixed.
Austria finally gave satisfaction IN the
Ancona case and while the Lusltana ne
gotiations seemed 10 be nearing final
settlement. Germany announced rs new
submarine campaign which began on
March with the aYowed purpose Of
sinking without warning any merchant
ships Of It's enemies which carried arma-
mcnt This raised new feature 20 the
issue which never has been settled and
since the new campaign began scores of
peaceful ships, many Of them carrying
Americans, have been destroyed. THE
climax came with the destruction Of this
channel steamer Sussex and the
endangering Of about fifty Americans.
Since tile Sussex was attacked State dc
partment records show that more than
sixty-fiyo ships have been destroyed.
Although Germany denies responslb llty
for tho loss OF the Sussex, the French
government In said 10 have captured the
which destroyed 1t and the
American government considers that Ger
disclaimer Of responsibility Is Of
itself confession.
Throughout the whole negotiation
American officials were convinced that
The German corduct Of submarine warfare
was being held over the United States as
a club TO force American action against
Great Britain for it, orders-in-council,
for ita blockade OF Germany and It's prae-
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