The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-01-07
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

SAhAnOAS A1o uCCA ulOuSAI lace W ldSe
with many serious problems which
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 flour ship
ments to Germany even If 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 to follow.
On February 6, the Atlantic liner Lusi-
tania made the passage from New
York to Liverpool flying the American
nag do O potONb1OA U61AA6t AOot1AV
submarines. Cn 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 Is, Germany Of
fered to withdraw from her crusade
against British merchant ships II 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
WilhelEina, 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 Wilhelmina 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-
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 1 the
American oil carrier Gulfiight was
sunk Off the Scilly islands by a 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
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-
sens. On May Is the American steam
Or Nebraskan was seriously damaged
BY torpedo OFF the south coast Of
Ireland. On May % the German reply
10 the United States note of protest
IN regard to the submarine policy in
he so-called war zone" was received.
Final statement of the German posi-
Ion was reserved until a common ba-
,is of fact as to the status of the Lust
.ania should be established. On May
Il Germany made official announce
nent that the Gulfiight had been sunk
~ q German submarine whose cap
ain failed to recognize the American
lag.
On June Secretary of State VIII.
lam ]. Bryan resigned his Office to
svoid signing second note of pro-
est to Germany against submarine in
erference with merchant ships. On
he following day this note was Gent
md assurances were asked that in fu-
ure American ships and lives should
'e safeguarded. On June 20 the Brit
sh government sent an official note !
o the American ambassador explain |
ng efforts made to protect neutral |
hipping. On June 20 the British |
teamer Armenian was destroyed by |
German submarine OF the coast of
outhern England and a number of
americans in the crew lost their lives.
On July Germany replied to the
econd Washington note regarding
he submarine war against merchant
hips, promising safety to United
tates ships In the war zone ii specif-
ally marked, and suggesting that the
merican flag be placed ON four hos
le steamers for the safe transports
on OF American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July II the United States sent q
,ird note to Germany, with the state
ent that the German reply to a for
'er note had been very unsatisfac-
'ry," and that repetition Of the
It's complained Of would be regarded
J deliberately unfriendly." On Aug
It 3 several notes from Great Brit
n concerning interference with Amer
an trade in the war zone were
ade public. in which it was
aimed that Great Britain was do.
n nofhiug IN v9n1afiou NJ informal