Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-02-17
GERMANS EXPECT
WAR WITH u. S.
Are Eager to Avert HoStlIitIes,
but See Little Chance of
Doing So.
REAL SITUATION DISCLOSED
Newspaper Correspondents Reaching
Neutral Grounds Tell Story of Days
Following Break in
Relations.

Following Break IN
Relations.
Copenhagen, Feb. 13.-While the au-
'horities and the greater part of the
people Of Germany are now anxious to
avoid open hostilities with the United
States, there is little hope in Berlin
hat there can be any other ultimate
result from the present situation. than
war between the two countries.
These facts the Associated Press
correspondent who left Berlin with
Ambassador Gerard is able TO state
upon reaching neutral territory.
II can also be stated that The Ger
man threat to hold American news
paper men as hostages and the anX-
tety Of the German government to In
duce Ambassador Gerard TO sign a
protocol ~reafiirming the od-1ime
treaties with the United States re-
garding mutual protection Of nationals
in case of hostilities We're undoubtedly
influenced by alarmist dispatches from
The United States regarding the treat
ment of German citizens ana property
there.
In their efforts to prevent an omen
break with The United States, the Ger
man authorities it is said. gave in
suuctions to submarine commanders
before they started on their February
mission to take the safe side when
oeutral vessels, particularly American,
were in question, whenever possible.
Advised to Warn NeutraIs.
Enemy merchantmen. when recog-
nized as such, were ordered to be sunk
at sight but neutral merchantmen
we're TO be warned when such action.
n their Judgment, was consistent
with the object Of the campaign and
the safety of their own ships
1t was realized, however, after the
prompt aud resoute stand taken by
President Wilson, that these orders
could only be palliative and only de-
fer. not avoid. an ultimate break also
hat if President Wilson stood by his
announcement that the destruction Of
American lives or ships would be re-
yorded as an act of hostility, a casus
beIli must come sooner or Iater-prob-
ably sooner on account of the number
Of Americans on enemy ships.
Not Liable to Punishment.
Moreover there was the descretiou-
airy nature of the instructions to sub
marine commanders, who We're in
formed that, while the careful course
toward neurals was recommended and
desired, they would no longer be sub
jeCted 10 punishment for departing
from their former procedure of warn
ing if they found this advisable.
Il is considered that the only pos
sibility Of the avoidance of hostilities
would result from a modification of
It's standpoint by one or the other
side, and SO far as could be judged
from the positive declarations of A
fred Zimmerman, the German ~ n
lister of foreign affairs. and other of
ficialS before the Associated Press
correspondents departure from Ber-
lin, there was no probability that Ger
many would give way this time or
abandon the ruthless campaign now
started.
optimists Give Up Hope.
decentralization relations again
and again have passed through crises
apparently almost hopeless. but This
time the crisis is more difficult than
the former ones, and even the opti-
mist can scarcely see any peaceful
egress ont of the impasse.
From a neutral cable office If now
is possible TO tell the story Of the de.
yelopment Of the present crisis, on
which the most rigid censorship has
been applied in Germany.
To the observer in Berlin the ap-
preach Of the crisis had been plainly
and definitely evident since the re
lection Of Germany's peace oyertures
Information as to Germany'S definite
decision to start a sharpened subma
rine war and even the form il would
take, namely. a blockade Of specified
regions Though the idea of a pro
hibited zone was later substituted foI
that of BLOCKADE" at the request -
the naval authorities. who anticipated
possible formal objections), was re
ceived by the Associated Press almost
on the morrow of Ambassador Ger
rd's speech on German-Ameflcau
good relations, delivered ut the ban
uuet Of the American Association Of
Commerce and Trade early in Janu
airy.
A week later 1t was stated 6hat q
fun decision On the situation 81 NOT
been reached and that the campaign
would not he launched until after fur
Their consultations with Germany's ri
lies and the receipt of certain infor
NN~~~~~-~-~~~~~~~O~~~~
Government offered Valuable Plant.
Or. Pierce has offered 10 the presi
dent the free use Of the American en-