The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-01-14
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

ernment has beOn brought face 10 face
with many serious problems which
have arisen from the conduct Of the
European var. One Of these was the
seizure and detention by Great Britain
of vessels carrying American goods 10
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 10 seize grain and flour ship
ments to Germany even II intended fer
noncombatants, and, two days later,
Germany declared the waters around
Great Britain and Ireland 10 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 a protection against hostile
submarines. 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 16, Germany of
fered to withdraw from her crusade
against British merchant ships If 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
Wilhelmina, bound for a 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 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 IL, 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 the
American oil carrier Gulfight was
sunk off the Scilly islands by a 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
a loss of nearly 1,200 lives; including
upwards of hundred Americans. On
May 13 the United States protested
against the German submarine policy
and declared its intention of main
tanning the rights of American citi-
zens. On May 25 the American steam
er Nebraskan was seriously damaged |
by torpedo off the south coast of
Ireland. On May % the German reply |
to the United States note of protest |
in regard to the submarine policy in
the sC-called war zone" was received. |
Final statement of 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
ment that the Gulfiight had been sunk |
by German submarine whose cap |
tain failed to recognize the American |
flag.
On June Secretary of State Will |
liam ]. 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-
.ure American ships and lives should |
be safeguarded. On June % the Brit
sh government sent an official note
% the American ambassador explain
ing efforts made to protect neutral
shipping. On June 2S the British
steamer Armenian was destroyed by
| German submarine off the coast of
southern England and a number of
in the crew lost their lives.
On July Germany replied to the
econd Washington note regarding
he submarine war against merchant
ships, promising safety to United
States ships in the war zone if specif-
cally marked, and suggesting that the
American flag be placed on four hos
lie steamers for the safe transporta-
ion Of American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July 81 the United States sent a
bird note to Germany, with the state
lent that the German reply to for
ner note had been very unsatisfac-
ory," and that a repetition of the
cts complained of would be regarded
s deliberately unfriendly." On Aug
st 3 several notes from Great Brit
in concerning interference with Amer
3an trade in the war zone were
lade public, in which it was
laimed that Great Britain was do
lg nothing in violation Of interna-
onal law In the case Of the William
I. Frye, an American ship sunk by
le Prinz Eitel friedrich, January 28,
ermany agreed to furnish indemnity,
nd the United States accepted the
fer and proposed that the matter be