Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1916-01-06
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

WIN many serious prODlemS Wnlcn
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 TO
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-
cided TO seize grain and Hcur ship
ments TO Germany even II intended fer
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
subm arines. 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 l6. Germany OF.
ferea 10 withdraw frcm her crusade
against British merchant ships II the
British would permit the sending OF
food 10 the civilian population OF Ger.
many. On the Same day. TIE British
government seized the American shir
Wilhelrllna. bound for a German port
with wheat for civilian consumption.
The German note In reply to the
American protest against the suhma.
rine blockade disclaimed all responsi.
tility Great Britain affirmed its in.
tention to send the Wilhelmina 10
prize court. In replies to inquiries
frcr: the Washington government.
neither Germany nor Great Britain
showed any disposition to receie from
the positions already announced. On
April II, the German ambassador pro-
tested TO the state department against
the attitude Of the United States to-
ward the shipment OF war materials
and British treatment OF American
trade with Germany On May I the
American ell carrier Gulfight was
sunk OF the scilly Islands by q Ger.
nan submarine.
Destruction Of the lusitania.
On May I, the big Transatlantic liner
Lusitania was sunk by q German sub
marine on the coast Of ireland. with
q loss OF nearly 1900 lives; including
upwards OF hundred Americans. On
May 10 the United States protested
against the German submarine policy
and declared its intention OF main.
tanning the rights OF American citi-
zens. On May % the American steam.
or Nebraskan was seriously damaged
by a torpedo OF the south coast OF
Ireland. On May % the German reply
TO the United States note OF protest
In regard 10 the submarine policy In
the so-called war zone" was received.
Final statement OF the German posi-
tio5 was reserved until O common ba.
sis CT fact as 10 the status OF the Lust.
tanla should be established. On May
81 Germany made Official announce
nent that the Gulfiight had been sunk
BY German submarine whose cap.
tain failed to recognize the American
flag.
On June s Secretary OF State WI.
liam J. Bryan resigned his Office to
avoid signing a second note Of pro-
test 10 Germany against submarine in.
reference with merchant ships. on
tie following day this note was sent
and assurances were asked that In fu.
ture American ships and lives should
be safeguarted. On June % the Brit.
ish government sent an official note
10 the American ambassador explain.
ing efforts made TO protect neutral
shipping. On June rs the British
steamer Armenian was destroyed by
a German submarine OF the coast Of
southern England and a number Of
Americans In the crew lost their lives.
OF July s 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 spec!f.
ically marked, and suggesting that tho
American flag DO placed on four hos.
tile steamers for the safe transporta-
ton Of American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July 81 the United States sent n
third note TO Germany, with the state
ment that the German reply TO a for.
mer note had been very unsatisfac.
tory" and that repetition OF tho
acts complained OF would DO regarded
as deliberately unfriendly." On Aug.
ust several notes from Great Brit.
ain concerning interference with Amer.
lean trade In the war zone we're
made public, In which II was
claimed that Great Britain was do.
ing nothing In violation OF interna.
tional law In the case OF the William
P. Frye. an American ship sunk by
the Prini Eltel Friedrich, January rs.
Germany agreed 70 furnish indemnity.