Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-19
Complications PiIing Up
Since Germany Declared
War Zone About Britain

The present situation is the outcome
of a series of attacks by German sub
marines on merchant ships, on which
citizens Of the United States were pas
sengers. Despite the fact that Germany
has disavowed the acts of the subma
rine commanders the attacks have con-
tinued.
Complications between the United
States and Germany began piling up
from the moment the submarine war
zone was declared around the British
Isles. With all Europe af1re in war, the
eyes of the world were turned upon the
ments that would threaten to draw the
greatest neutral into the conflict. They
were not long in coming.
Came in Quick Succession.
With the torpedoing of the British
liner Falaba the first American life was
lost. Then, in quick succession. came
the attacks on the Gulnight and the
Cushing. American ships. The sinking
of the American sailing ship William P.
Frye raised another issue. but it in
volved different questions, and. while it
sumo the threatening features of the
cases where Americans travelling on
passenger ships and having no part or
interest in the conduct of the war were
sent to their deaths without warning.
Then came the sinking of the Iusi-
tania, a year ago, in which lis Ameri-
cans, many of them women and chill
dren, were lost, in submarine attack
known of in advance to the German
embassy in this country, and which was
guardedly advertised in the daily pa
pers in the form of a warning to Amer
leans to keep off belligerent ships trav-
erSing the war zone.
Breaking Point Seemed Near.
point had come and all eyes were turn
ed on President Wilson. That night
the President. after shutting himself
in his study. slipped out of the White
House, eluded the secret service guard.
walked for blocks around silent unfre-
quented streets of the capital in the
making a great decision The first
note to Germany pledging the United
States to hold her to a strict ac-
countabi followed soon afterward.
Then another national sensation. due
solely to the Lusitania negotiations,
followed. Secretary Bryan resigned
because he could not agree with the
Presidents policy. which he believed
would lead to war.
While the Lusitania negotiations
were proceeding the Arabic was sunk
with the death Of more Americans and
it seemed then the breaking point
could not be averted.
Orders to Commanders.
The German government then gave
its assurances not to torpedo more
"liners,' and Count Won Bernstorff in
formed Secretary Lansing that the
German Emperors orders to the sub
marine commanders were of such a
nature as to admit of no misunder-
standing. Indemnity for American
lives lost on the Lusitania was offered,
and while long negotiations over the
form in which Germany should admit
the illegality of her act were in prog
ress. Austria was brought into the SIT
uation first by the destruction of the
of the Persia, although in the latter
case responsibility never definitely was
fixed.
Austria finally gave satisfaction in
the Ancona case, and while the Lusi-
tania negotiations seemed to be near
ing a Anal settlement Germany an
nounced her new submarine campaign
purpose of sinking without warning
any merchant ships of her enemies
which carried armament. This raised
q new feature to issue, which never
has been settled, and since the new
campaign began scores of peaceful
Americans, have been destroyed. The
climax came with the destruction Of