Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-10
Armed Merchantmen Have
Right to Consider Ap-
pearance as Attack.
GERMAN SEA ORDER
MAKES U.BOAT ENEMY
United States to Stand Firmly Upon
Its Declaration Of Right to Self Pro.
lection and Right to Prevent Capture
State Department Preparing Its
"White Book" Containing Record of
Unfriendty Acts Of Germany.

|
appearance Of a German submarine or
its periscope in the presence of an
American armed merchant vessel would
entitle that ship to take all measures Of
protection on the presumption that the
| IU-boat's purpose was hostile.
! Under this ruling an American armed
merchantmen could fire on German
submarine the moment it is sighted be-
cause 1t would be considered the inten-
ton of the submarine to sink on sight
within certain zones all vessels, neu-
trails as we'll as bellgerents, or whether
passenger vessels, freighters or con-
traband carriers.
The United States is said to stand
fatty on its armed merchantmen warn
ing Of Feb. 27 last in which it t-definitely
recognized the right to prevent cap
ture' as part of the right of self pro-
! lection" which could be exercised by
fight or resistance,
The mere presence Of German sub
! marine is declared ground for assum-
ing that an attack is intended. The de-
NAL by Germany Of the old rule Of
right to visit and search" makes all
| submarines actually hostile.
| The consensus of opinion today was
the United States was nearer to war
| with Germany than at any time in it's.
history.
To Expose German Plots.
The state department isSs.preparing
for publication record of the an
friendly acts the German government
has committed against the government
and people Of the United States.
| This decision was reached at con-
ference between President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing.
! They agreed that the hour Is ap-
preaching when prudence will prompt
| disclosures so that the country may
know the entire case against Ger
many
| The president, 1t Is stated has OPP
posed publication Of the full story Of
Germany's intrigues because he feared
it's effect on the country. Now he
deems it advisable to show the coun-
4 try just how his patience has been
tried and just how he avoided as far
as possible joining an issue with the
| German government when he had
scores Of just causes for decisive ac-
ton.
| Holds Documentary Proof.
The white book. according to ad-
mlnistration officials. will present, with
documentary proof. the most remark
able story of conspiracy. intrigue. and
| plotting that the agents of one govern
ment ever perpetrated or attempted to
| perpetrate against friendly people.
The administration has not decided
| whether this white book will be given
out for immediate publication or sent
to the senate to be Incorporated into
! the records of that body as an histor-
ical resume Of the relations between
the United States and Germany. It Is
probable that the latter course will be
| followed. -
AS soon as the communication Is
! published it will be sent broadcast
| thruout the world. Every chancery on
| this hemisphere will receive copies
| thru their diplomatic representatives in
| Washington.
Effect in South America.
The document is expected to be Of
especial value in Latin-America. 1t is
| believed that it will be the best warn
ing to the Latins against the intrig ues
which Germany is charged with fos-
terirg in this hemisphere during the
last few years. The administration also
hopes that it will be of special value in
breaking German influence over Car.
rama.
A section of the record will be de-
voted to the purely, diplomatic corre-
spondence Of a confidential character
which has passed between Washington
and Berlin, with si1elights furnished by
other American embassies and lega-
tions in European capitals. It may be
stated that tllesa documents will show
how Germany long ago was preparing
10 break promises made to this govern
ment. 5fistfsf.t. ,a5s -
The second section Of the publication
will detail how the German govern
ment, acting thru Count Won Bernstorff
and his aides, fostered, engineered, and
financed the campaign Of violence
against American munition plants.
Documents will be presented showing
that Bernstorff, Boy Ed, Won Papen,
and other members Of the German em-
bassy staff paid the expenses of: this
campaign.
Checked Many Plots.
Certain messages will show that the
United States government knew almost
as much about what happened in the
German embassy as Count Won Bern
storff knew himself. and how the gov
ernment thwarted many OF his plans
but refused to expose them. \ 5,5 5.sB
The third chapter will contain sum
mary Of the intriguess which Germany
has fostered in Latin America. Numer-