The Washington times., 1916-04-19
THE WAR ZONE EDICT.

In spite OF this. the following day,
sued a fresh statement. extending the
limits of the war zone.
The statement said:
ENGLAND Is on the eve of shipping
numerous troops and large quantities Of
war material to France. Against these
TRANSPORTS we shall proceed with all the
means of warfare at our disposal.
Peaceful shipping Is earnestly cautioned
against approaching the northern or
western coasts OF France. as It Is
threatened with the serious danger that
Il will be confounded with ships for war
and like purposes. Around Scotland is
recommended as the best track to the
North Sea-"
Gravest apprehension was felt In Of
fetal circles as the result of these two
statements. but action was delayed.
On February 10. the State Department
received from Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin an explanation of Germany's
stand.
The memorandum pleaded that Ger
many's vital interest required creation OF
a war zone. It also charged Great Brit
ain with violating the London and Paris
declar ration. with transgressinE contra
band rules. and with creating a war
zone surrounding neutral territory. and
making a virtual blockade in violation
of all neutral law.
United States Protests.
Despite this explanation the United
States sent a strong protest against the
war zone to the German government the
same day.
This note declared:
The Government OF the United
States would be constrained TO hold
the German government to a strict
accountability for such acts Of their
naval authorities and to take any
steps II might be necessary to safe
guard American lives and property
fUll ENJOYMENT OF their Acknowledged
rights on the high seas.
Germany's reply came on FEBRUARY
,s, colncldent with the British announce
ment that It stood firm in its purpose
10 starVe out Germany.
The sense OF the German note was:
Agreed on the principles Of neutra
shipping, hut cited misuse OF the Unitec
States nag; suggested that the United
States convoy its own vessels; hoped
that the United States will recognize
the full meaning of the severe strug
gle which Germany is waging for hel
February IS, Der Tag" when tn,
order went into effect, passed withou
the loss Of a single ship. and Wash
InEton began to hope that tho German
edict was a bluff
were disillusioned. Two steamers, on
nsS'rf asS the encR M9RrwsEffn c4Eaft binOraS, si %sf
torpedoed. and the British admiralt,
ordered the suspension of all traffl
with the continent
Proof of Intentions.
The following days gave additiona
proof of Gcrmany's sinister intentions
and on April 80 the climax came, wit
the torpedoing of the American tan
steamer Gulfiight or the Scilly Islands
Three persons were killed as a resu
of the attack, and the ship was nearl
sunk. The United States Governmer
Immediately ordered an investigation {
this case, as we'll as OF that of II
attack made on the American shi
Gushing by German aeroplane.
Excitement reached fever heat befol
the attack on the Gulhight becam
known In America, however.
on May !. every newspaper in Ne
York carried tho following advertise
ment. dated April %, from the In
perial German embassy at Washington
Travellers intending TO embark on
the Atlantic voyage are reminded
that a state OF war exists between
- Germany and her allies and Great
Britain ami her allies; that the zone
of war includes the waters adjacent
20 the British Isles that. in accord
ance with formal notice given ~
the Imperial German Government,
vessels flying the flag o. Great Brit =
ain or of any OF her allies. are liable
to destruction In those waters. and
that travellers sailing In the war zone
on ships OF Great Britain or her
allies do so at their own risk.
In addition to this. scores of prom
nent passengers who had booked cabil
on the giant Cunarder I.usitania. sailiT
that day, received anonymous tel