The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-01-13
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

icy elected by this country, the gov
with many serious problems which
have ari"en 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 r1ade 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 -four ship
ments to Germany even II intended for
noncombatants, and, two days later.
Germany declared the waters around
Great Britain and Ireland to 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 G, the Atlantic liner Lusl-
taHia 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 10 withdraw from her crusade
against British merchant ships IL the
British would permit the sending OF
feed TO the civilian population of Ger
many. On the same day, the British
government seized the American ship
Wilhelmina, bound for q German port
with wheat for civilian CONSUMPTION.
The German note in reply to the
American protest against the subma-
rine blockade disclaime6 all RESPONSE
tility. Great Britain affirmed its in.
tention to send the Wilhelrlina tc a
Prize court. In replies to inquiries
FROM the Washington government,
neither Germany nor Great Britain
showed any disposition to rece6e from
the positions already announced. On
April IL, the German ambassador prc-
tested to tie state department against
the attitude of the United States to-
ward the shirment 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 Ger
man submarine.
Destruction Of the Lusitania.
On May 7, the big transatlantic liner
Lusitania was sunk by German sub
marine of tie coast OF Ireland, with
a loss of nearly 1900 lives; including
upwards of a hundred Americans. On
May 13 the United States protested
against the German submarine policy
and declared its intention of main
tainizg the rights of American citi-
zens. On May 25 the American steam
er Nehraskan was seriously damaged
by torpedo OF the south coast OF
Ireland. On May 2S the German reply
| to the United States note of protest
in regard to the submarine policy in
the so-called war zone" was received.
Final statement of the German posi-
tion was reserved until common ba-
sis of fact as to the status of the Lusi'
tania should be established. On May
| 81 Germany made Cfflcial announce
ment that the Gulfiight had been sunk
by a German submarine whose cap
tain failed to recognize the American
flag
On June Secretary of State VII
liam j. Bryan resigned his o1ice tc
avoid signing a second note of pro
test to Germany against submarine in
reference with merchant ships. Or
the following day this note was sent
and assurances were asked that in fu
ture American ships and lives should
be safeguarded. On June 22 the Brit
ish government sent an official note
to the American ambassador explain
ing efforts made to protect neutra
shipping. On June 2S the British
steamer Armenian was destroyed by
a German submarine of the coast o.
southern England and a number o.
Americans in the crew lost their lives
On July 8 Germany replied to th'
second Washington note regarding
the submarine war against merchan
ships. promising safety to United
States ships In the war zone if specif
ically marked, and suggesting that thu
American flag be placed on four hos
tile steamers for the safe transporta
ton OF American passengers.
More Diplomatic Notes.
On July 81 the United States sent I
third ncte to Germany, with the state
mont that the German reply to fol
ner note had been very unsatisfaC
tory" and that a repetition Of tn
ACTS complained of would be regarded
as deliberately unfriendly" On Aug
ust 3 several notes from Great Brit
ain concerning interference with Amer
ican trade In the war zone wer
made public, in which it wa
claimed that Great Britain was dc
ing nothing in violation OF interna
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