The Washington times., 1916-04-19

The German note claimed the submarine
commander was justified, having acted
" on the same day matters reached a
climax In the expose OF Austrian AM
bassndor DumbaB activities in this
country. and President Wilson de-
manded the ENJOYS recall.
No More Activities.
This naturally created n tremendous
furore, but there were no more sub
marine activities, for the time. in which
America was concerned, and excitement
again died down.
THIS was especially the case after
october 8, when Count Won Bernstorff
presented note to the State Depart
ment, conceding disavowal and repara-
ton In tho Arabic case.
Events assumed livelier turn on NO
vember 0. when the British liner Ancona
wan torperoed in the Mediterranean.
This, however, was blamed on an
Austrian submarine, and matters were
finally brought to a halfway under
standing.
The new year made an inauspicious
start After nearly two months OF
practical. quiet, news was received
here January OF the torpedoing In the
Mediterranean OF the British liner
Persia, with the death of two Ameri-
This was followed by a series of at
tacks. and the United States sent
another protest to the Central Powers.
Fears were duieted again, on January
g. when the President announced that
Berlin had promised to observe inter
national law in the future In It's sub
marine campaign in the Mediterranean.
to investigate the Persia case, and TO
pay indemnity for Americans lost In the
Lusitania horror.
Lansing Statement.
Optimism here was but short-liver.
however. for. on January 25, following
the publication OF reports that the
Lusitania controversy finally had been
buried, Secretary OF state lansing Is
sued an Indignant denial. asserting that
Germany had refused to disavow the
act as demanded from the first In the
various notes sent to Berlin by the
Washington Government.
The following day Secretary Lansing
banded to Count Won Bernstorn wnht
was understood to be the United states
final word in the Lusitania controversy,
and the note was transmitted to Berlin.
On February Ambassador Won bern
storn received from Berlin an answer
to this note, and shortly afterward the
rutnor became general here that tne
entire controversy had been amicaoiy
settled.
On the heels of this. however. came
Gcrmany's pronouncement, on February
Is, that with the beginning Of March
submarines would be ordered to sink
ali armed merchantmen flying the flag
OF Great Britain or any of her allies.
The United States Immediately made
representation to Germany. demanding
that the order be Withdrawn. Ger
many refused, and matters took on
graver aspect than had been seen In the
situation since the days Immediately
following the sinking OF the Lusltania.
Crisis Splits Party.
The crisis arising from this latest con-
troversy for a time threatened to split
tile Democratic party. notable members
In both houses of Congress demanding
that the President recede from his posi-
ton and warn Americans OF the armed
chips of belligcrent nations.
This the President refused to do.
and brought on a litter fight in both
House and Senate.
The closing days OF February and
carly March saw many heated de-
bates at the Capitol over the sub
marine issue.
From the first the President stood
firm, refusing any idea of a COM
promise. and fiat-footedly rejecting a
vote of confidence. which party
leaders thought they could force. de-
spite their fear that ic the true issue
came t. a vote they would be beaten.
| The President was adamant. how
ever, and forced a show down.
This came on March, 3. in the Sen
ate. when u vote vas takcn on Sena-
| tor Cores resolution to warn Ameri-
cans of armed ships BY political
trick. senator Gore managed 10
| change the ertire tenor OF hiA
measure before anyone discovered IT,
hut it's lefcat. nevertheless. was con.
ceded to be victory for the Presi-
dent.
The House delayed action long. bu,
finally. on March 7, defeated a similar
resolution.
Parleys At End.
The President let II be known that
ne was through with parleytng over
the submarine issue then. but mat.
ters did net come to an actual head
until March 25 when the United
States nrst felt the effect of the new
| C-boat order.
On that date washinRto n heard oi
the torpedoing without warning OF
the French liner Sussex In the Eng
lish channel. with loss OF American
lives, and OF the steamers English
man Berwindale, Manchester Engi
neer, and Eagle Point.
These cases really brought thu
present situetion to a head.
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