New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-03
Still Hoping President
Wilson Will Send Con-
ciliatory Note
SEES PROLONGED WAR
IF AMERICA JOINS
Says Japan Alone Will
Profit from This Ma
TONS Entrance

Amsterdam, Feb. 2.-Politicsl circles !
in Berlin are much upset By the re-
ports Of the indignation aroused IN
America by the announcement Of Ger
many's submarine blockade, It having |
been believed that the United States, !
understanding Germany's desperate po-
sition, would start negotiations to
bring about an early peace conference
There is still hope President Wilson's
answer will be conciliatory and afford a !
basis for negotiations.
Berlin, Feb. Expectations are ex-
pressed in unofficial circles here that as
a result OF the unrestricted submarine /.
campaign the amount of tonnage sunk
each month can be increased to about !
/ coo 900 tons. This estimate is based |
upon available figures showing the total
amount of British tonnage, which is
placed at 100000 to 100000 OF
tons.
This is believed here to be the gross
registered tonnage upon which Eng
land can count for the import of neces 7
sary supplies, wheat, ores, munitions /
etc, and for the export of coal TO her
Allies.
Any considerable reduction of this
tonnage, it is claimed, would limit Eng
lands supply Of breadstufTs so critical
ly as to force peace within a few
months.
L. S. Can Prolong War
On the other hand, if the United
States should be drawn into the war,
these unofficial critics foresee a pro-
longation of the war, and, as conclu
sion, Europe completely exhausted and
America weakened, while Japan's mill
tary strength, they assert, virtually
would be unimpaired and her financial
resources vastly increased.
The great likelihood that the step
will precipitate q crisis in German
American relations, severance of diplo-
matte intercourse, and perhaps further
consequences, is generally recognized
and undoubtedly has been taken into |
account in the governments calcula-
ton. But the belief is often expressed |
that the situation is not hopeless and
that the unrestricted submarine cam
paign may perhaps. after the recent
peace discussions. not lead to a break
with the United States-a consumma-
tion which would be hailed with joy by
an overwhelming majority in the ma
ton.
Cannot Yield to America
The semi-official Cologne Gazette
declares that an adverse American re
My to Germany's submarine notitica-
ton will not change Germany's inten-
ton.
Eve cannot for a second time" says
the newspaper, "have any consideration
for alien interests. Our honor and eX-
istence are too greatly threatened by
the new war declared by the Entente"
The "Frankfurter Zeitung' discusses
the submarine programme without en-
thusiasm. II says the few men in high
places who have taken the decision are
answerable before their own people and
before history.
only the most cogent and compel
ling reasons" says the newspaper, "can
have induced the Emperor and Dr.. Won
Bethmann- II ollweg to sanction the
measure. Doubtless there have been
negotiations between Berlin and Wash T,
ington, but we are ignorant of their re- /
suits.
at cannot be imagined, however, that
there can be any new yielding 70 Amer J
lean protestatlons, and 1t therefore
must be assumed that the imperial
authorities are firmly convinced that
German strength will be able TO hold
It's own against an onset by the whole .
world. Whatever America may decide, I
the German people confront the future
fearlessly."
The German action is construed here
as constituting the declaration of a
blockade In accordance with all the for
ma!ities Of international law, with the
blockade limits set forth in definite
form, the customary notice TO neutrals
and the usual period OF grace In which
neutral shipping caught within the
blockaded zone may pass out OF It, The
only variance is that the blockade will
be enforced by submarines and other
naval methods.
Encouraged by Dutch Action
The first result OF the submarine or
der TO be made known is the announce
ment from The Hague that the Dutch
government suspended sailings until
the exact nature Of the new policy IS
established clearly and the limits Of
the free areas are known definitely.
This is printed in the afternoon news
papers as an encouraging p0rtent OF
the effect on neutrals generally.
IL became known here only yesterday
through dispatches from Holland that
Germany's concessions 10 neutral ship
ping included permit TO Holland for
the sailing OF n passenger steamer be-
tween Flushing and SOuthwold, Eng.
land, daily except Sunday.
The newspapers engage in serious
discussion Of the concessions 20 Hol-
land and the United States on the as
sumption that the concessions have
been accepted by the two governments
/ regardless of their attitude on the gen.
eral questions.
All Parties Back U-Boats
At the largely attended meeting OF
the Ways and Means Committee of the
Reichstag, at which the Chancellor an.
nounced the momentous decision Of the
Central Powers, there was little -four.
18Th of trumpets, although the events OF
the day may rank In historical i'm |
portance with August ! and 4, 1914. |
Leaders Of the various parties unani- |
rnously Endorsed the governments poll |
| icy. the Overseas Agency announces.
The attitude Of the German people,
so far as ascertained from converse
lions with persons in various walks OF |
life, in and out of politics. Is that