The Ordway new era., 1916-01-07
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

with many serious propieiuS
have arisen from the conduct OF the
European war. One of these was the
seizure and detention by Great Britain
OF vessels carrying American goods 10
neutral ports in Europe. A protest
was made by Washington and on jan
uary 10 Great Britain replied by Of
fering reasonable redress for any mis-
take of that nature.
Early in February, Great Britain de-
c!ded to seize grain and Hour snip
ments to Germany even If intended Tor
noncombatants, and. two days later,
Germany declared the waters around
Great Britain and Ireland to be a war
zone, and announced her purpose TO
destroy every enemy merchant vessel
discovered therein. Neutrals were
warned OF the danger sure to follow.
On February 6, the Atlantic liner Lusi-
tania made the passage from New
York to Liverpool flying the American
flag as protection against hostile
submarines On February 10, the
United States sent notes to Germany
and Great Britain concerning Ameri-
can shipping in the war zone. Ger
many was warned against committing
a breach Of the rules of naval warfare
and Great Britain was reminded that
serious consequences might follow the
use OF the American flag by British
vessels. On February 16, Germany Of
fered to withdraw from her crusade
against British merchant ships If the
British would permit the sending OF
food to the civilian population of Ger
many. On the same day. the British
government seized the American ship
WiIhelmina, bound for German port
with wheat for civilian consumption.
The German note in reply to the
American protest against the subma-
rine blockade disclaimed all RESPONSE
bility. Great Britain affirmed its in
tention to send the Wilhelnina to
prize court In replies to inquiries
from the Washington government,
neither Germany nor Great Britain
showed any disposition to recede from
the positions already announced. On
April II, the German ambassador pro-
the attitude OF the United States to-
ward the shipment of war materials
and British treatment of American
trade with Germany. On May l the
American oil carrier Gulfiight was
sunk OFF the Scilly islands by Ger
man submarine.
Destruction Of the lusitania.
On May 7. the big transatlantic liner
Lusitania was sunk by German sub
marine off the coast of Ireland, with
a loss of nearly ] 200 lives; including
upwards of a hundred Americans. On
May IL the United States protested
against the German submarine policy
and declared its intention of main
tanning the rights of American citi-
zens. On May 25 the American steam
er Nebraskan was seriously damaged
by torpedo off the south coast Of
Ireland. On May 2s the German reply
to the United States note of protest
in regard to the submarine policy in
the so-called war zone" was received.
Final statement of the German posi-
tion was reserved until a common ba-
sis of fact as to the status OF the Lusi-
tania should be established. On May
81 Germany made Off cial announce
ment that the Gulnight had been sunk
by a German submarine whose cap
tain failed to recognize the American
flag.
On June 8 Secretary of State VIII
liam J. Bryan resigned his Office to
avoid signing a second note of pro-
test to Germany against submarine in
terference with merchant ships. On
the following day this note was sent
and assurances were asked that in fu-
ture American ships and lives should
be safeguarded. On June 22 the Brit
ish government sent an official note
to the American ambassador explain
ing efforts made to protect neutral
shipping. On June % the British
steamer Armenian was destroyed by
a German submarine OF the coast OF
southern England and number OF
Americans in the crew lost their lives
On July Germany replied to the
second Washington note regarding
the submarine war against merchant
ships, promising safety to United
States ships in the war zone II specif
ically marked, and suggesting that the
american flag be placed o. four hos
tile steamers for the safe transporta
tion Of American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July 21 the United States sent I
third note to Germany. with the state
ment that the German reply to for
mer note had been very unsatisfac
tory" and that q repetition Of tn
acts complained of would be regardc,
ss deliberately unfriendly." On Aug
ust several notes from Great Brit
ain concerning Interference with Amer
lean trade n the war zone wer
made pubite, IN which Il M
claimed that Crest Britain vas ldt
Ing nothing II violation oS intefna
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