New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
EVENTS LEADING
TO new CRISIS
First Move by Germany on
Feb. 4, 1914, Establish
ing a War Zone

The jjplomati" interchange and
events which Ted up to the present
crisis between the United States and
Germany began when, on February j
1914. Germany announced that OF
February rs a war zone would DC estab
lished I'm the waters around Great
Britain and that all merchant vessels
i'm that zone would be subject TO attack
This was after England had established
the blockade of German ports.
Eight days before the order was "a
take effect President Wilson issued his
now famous "strict accountability
message, in which he characterized
Germany's move as IAN indefensible
violation of neutral rights" and one
which il would be hard to reconcile TO
the friendly relations then existing be-
tween the two nations.
On February IS. two days before the
plan went into effect. Germany issued
reply defending her position as one
of self preservation. The events which
followed are given in chronological or
der:
April Three American lives lost
when Gulfiight is torpcdoed.
Warning to American Citizens
May insertion of advertisement
i'm American newspapers warning
American citizens against travelling or
vessels OF the Allies.
May Z One hundred and fifteen
Americans lost and l,OSj others perish
when the Lusitania is sunk.
May l0-Germany, through Ambassa
dor Won Bernstorf. expresses regret.
May - Note Of protest is send By
President Wilson saving the United
States will not "omit any word or act
necessary 20 its sacred duty" of main
tanning the rights Of its citizens.
June 9-United States refuses to ad-
nit right Of Germany TO proclaim wal
zone endangering neutral ships and
seeks promise TO safeguard American
lives.
July l0-Germany agrees to pass
American ships when sailingS are an
nounced beforehand and they bear spe-
cial markings, easily recognizable.
July 15-Germany offers 10 pay dam,
ages for Nerbaskan.
July 24-United States repeats its
declaration that neutral rights mus,
be regarded when affecting American
citizens and regrets II cannot accept
Germany's proposal OF the designation
Of certain vessels.
More American Lives Lost
August l9-Two American lives lost
when Arabic is sunk.
September i-Germany promises
through Ambassador Won Bernstortf
that liners will not be sunk before
passengers and crew have time to
save themselves, provided liner
doesn't try 10 escape
October lS-United States contends
Germany's policy of placing passen
gers in small boats does not fulfil
obligations 10 safety.
December 30-The Persia. British
liner. Is sunk.
January 4, l9l6-Germany promise,
20 pay indemnity for the Lusitania
and says the Persia case is being in
vestigsted.
January % Secretary Lansing issues
announcement saying Germany has
failed 10 settle Lusitania case in ac-
cordance with the demands of the
United States.
February l5-United States demands
Withdrawal of new announcement made
by Germany 20 the effect that begin
ming April 80 Allied ships will be sunk
without warning.
March Senate refuses 10 interfere
with President Wilson's foreign policy
by vote of 90 TO IA.
March House of Representatives
takes similar action by vote OF 276
to 142.
Eighty Killed on Sussex
March 24-Eighty killed and injured
when Sussex, Channel steamship, is
attacked by submarine.
April l9-President Wilson sends
another note announcing diplomatic
relations must be severed as the only
alternative unless Germany abandori
present method of submarine warfare.
May 5-Germany replies that neu-
trails cannot expect Germany to aban-
don an effective weapon for the sake
of neutral interests inasmuch as she
has ordered her commanders not to
sink vessel without warning unless
that vessel attempt to escape.
May 8-United States reasserts
Singieness of responsibility and takes
stand that Germany's action cannot De
held contingent upon Englands aDAh-
doument OF blockade.
May l0-Germsny says commander
has been punished for Sussex case
which she regrets.