Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-01-06


ments to Germany even IL Intended for
noncombatants, and, two days later.
Germany declared the waters around
Great Britain and Ireland to be war
zone, and announced her purpose to
destroy every enemy merchant vessel
discovered therein. Neutrals were
warned Of the danger sure 20 follow.
On February 6. the Atlantic liner Lusi-
tania made the passage from New
York to Liverpool flying the American
flag ns protection against hostile
submarines. On February 10. tho
United States sent notes to Germany
and Great Britain concerning Ameri-
can shipping In the war zone. Ger.
many was warned against committing
n breach OF tho 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
Tered to withdraw from her crusade
against British merchant ships II the
rrtsh would permit tho sending OF
'3od to the civilian population OF Ger
government seized the American ship
Wilheimina. bound for German port
with wheat FOR Civilian consumption.
The German note IN reply to the
American protest against tho subma-
rine blockade disclained all rcsponst-
blity. Great Britain affirmed It's in.
tentior to send the Wilheiuina to a
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-
tested to the state department against
the attitude ~ the United States to.
ward the shipment OF war materials
and British: treatment OF American
trade with Germany On May | the
American oil carrier Gulflight was
sunk OFF the Sicily islands by Ger
man submarine.
Destruction OF the Lusitania
On May Z. the big transatlantic liner
Lusitania was sunk by German sub.
marine off the coast Of Ireland. with
loss of nearly 200 lives; including
upwards of hundred Americans. On
May 13 the United States protested
against the German submarine policy
and declared It's intention Of main
tanning the rights Of American citi-
zens On May % the American steam
er Nebraskan was seriously damaged
by a torpedo off the south coast or
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 o. the German posi-
ton 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 official announce
nent that the Gulfight had been sunk
by Serman submarine whose cap
tain failed to recognize the American
flag.
On June Secretary Of State VIII
liam j. Bryan resigned his Office to
avoid signing a second note Of pro-
test to Germany against submarine in
reference 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 % the Brit
ish government sent an official note
to the American ambassador explain
ing efforts made to protect neutra
shipping On June % the British
steamer Armenian was destroyed by
German submarine off the coast OF
southern England and a 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 Unitec
States ships in the war zone il specif
ically marked, and suggesting that the
American flag be placed on four hos
tile steamers for the safe transporta
ton of American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July u the United States sent {
third note to Germany. with the state
ment that the German reply to for
uer note had been very unsatisfac
tory" and that repetition of tn
acts complained OF would be regarded
as deliberately unfriendly.' On Aug
ust 3 several notes from Great Brit
ain concerning interference with Amer
lean trade in the war zone wer
, made public, in which it wa
claimed that Great Britain was dc
ing nothing in violation OF inferno
tional law. In the case OF the Williar
p. FRYE. an American ship sunk b
tho Prinz Eitel Friedrich. January q
Germany agreed to furnish indemnity
and the United States accepted tn
offer and proposed that the matter b
referred to The Hague court.
|, On August 10 tie British line
Arabic was torpedoed by German
submarine and several American
were drowned A lively diplomati
, controversy followed, and the tension
in the United States was at the break
ing point. On September Z the Gel
man government notified the Unite
:, States that the captain of the subms
;, rine had torpedoed the Arabic in sell
;, defense, believing that she was abor
to ram him. On September 3 tn
:, United States asked Austria Hungar
:, to recall Doctor Dumba. its ambass
= dor, charged with being active in
movement to cripple American man
l. facture of munitions On October
x the German government disavowe