Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-02

contingencies which fill the situation
today.
President Wilson conferred with
Colonel E. M. House, his friend and
adviser, who was hurriedly sum.
moned from New York.
Early today he had not called any
meeting Of the cabinet nor any con-
ference with the foreign affairs com
mittees Of congress, who have been
assured Of being taken into the pres
ident's confidence before diplomatic
relations are broken of.
Climax Of Many outrages.
Germany's sudden declaration Of
its intention, without warning. to de-
stroy all shipping over q wide area
comes as the climax to long series
of aggravated cases in which the
United States has gathered evidence
that It pledges to respect interna-
tional law at sea have been broken.
A score OF American lives have been
lost since the slate was wiped by Ger
many's promises in the Sussex case.
After each new sinking came infor-
NAL assurances that Germany was
ready to make amends II its subma-
rine commanders had violated or
dcrs. In fact, the German embassy
here was the brightest spot in stu
alton which American officials viewed
a. constantly growing darker.
Note to United States Softened.
An evidence OF the efforts Of the
embassy here to keep relations tran
quill is found In q comparison OF the
note handed yesterday to Secretary
Lansing by Count Won Bernstorff
with the one handed by the Berlin
foreign Office to Ambassador Gerard.
The note published in Berlin an
nounces In bold terms the determine
ton Of Germany to WELD every
weapon at its command with gut quar-
ter, while the note presented to the
American State department says the
same thing in softencd language,
The German embassy for months
has been building up an atmosphere
OF hopefulness and at one time 1t was
said that Won Tirpitz. who originated
the campaign Of ruthlessness, actually
had been forced from his high posi-
ton by influences brought to bear by
the German ambassador here in an
effort to preserve good relations with
the United States. Now it is frankly
disclosed that Won Tirpitz was de-
posed because he did not carry the
campaign of ruthiessness far enough;
that he was unprepared with an In
sufficient number Of undersea ships
to make this force effective and was
punished for his short-sightedness.
Now the officials, who speak for Ger
many in this country, unhesitatingly
announce the plan to starve out Eng
land with feet Of submarines which
they estimate at between 800 and 500,
and they .hink they can cut off the
food supply OF the British Isles conf
pletely within sixty days.
Other Sensation in Background.
American officials are not convinced
that Germany's announcement OF 81
OF ruthlessness reveals the
entire situation. There have been in
timations OF dissension between the
entent. allies, all Of which, however,
have been officially denied, and there
are other circumstances which have
come into possession OF the Ameri-
can government. but are not being
which give ground for the
that the new submarine
blockade may be only the forerunner
Of something else equally startling.
Neither Is there any assurance that
the new warfare will be confined to
changes on the seas.
The air OF confidence which was
openly expressed At the German en-
bassy was generally interpreted as
m indication that the Berlin govern
ment was sure Of the success Of Its
plans.
A new crisis, however, brings new
dangers to the very shores Of the
United States, where 4 score or more
Of German and Austrian ships have
been laid up since the beginning Of the
war and where several German CON-
merce raiders are interned.
Reports CT ships being armed Sc
cretly for dash to sea, Of plots to
sink them At their wharves or to block
American harbors by destroying them
In the channels have been under In
for many months.
This was diplomatic day at the
State department, . set occasion for
receiving representatives. Of foreign
Secretary Lansing,
however, Cancelled It and those who
had routine business were taken into
by lesser officials. The
British ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring
Rice, and the Japanese ambassador,
Mr.. Sato, were among the early call
ers.
Diplomats who asked for Secretary
Lansing were told he was engaged
preparing something for President
Wilson.
Turns Clock Back Two Years.
The new German warning carries
the situation back practically to
where il was upon the original proc
lamation by Germany two years ago
Of war zone around the British
isles.
The proclamation called forth the |
famous "strict accountability" note
from the United States. II was fol-
lowed by the sinking OF the Lusitania
and the virtual ultirnatum from the
United States which resulted in the
German pledge not to sink liners"