The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-02-08

| lelrlHS 10 inc SIdl'dllOn OloShoue
says:
Thus a new situation has sprung
up which forces Germany also to new
which forces Germany also to new
decisions
The new decision is exactly the one
forecast when the Sussex negotia-
tions were closed.
In the note conveying her pledges
to keep submarine activities within
international law Germany included
a threat of resumption if the United
States did not succeed in lifting Brit
| ish restrictions on commerce to Ger
many and the European neutrals and
the United States in reply expressly
warned Germany that her pledges
must be absolutely unconditional.
From Sussex Note.
'Neutrals," said Germany in the
Sussex note, cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for her ex-
istence, shall for the sake of neutral
interest restrict the use Of an effec-
tive weapon if her enemy is permit
ted to continue to apply at will
| methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law. . &.
Should the steps taken by the United
States not attain the object to
| have the laws of humanity followed
by all belligerent nations, the Ger
man government would then be fac
ing a new situation in which it must
reserve to itself complete liberty of
decision"
To any such reservations the Unit
ed States demurred in no uncertain
| terms.
THE United States feels it neces-
sary to state,'' said President Will
sons reply, that it takes it
for granted that the imperial Ger
man government does not intend to
| imply that the maintenance of its
newly-announced policy is in any
| way contingent on the course or re-
suit of diplomatic negotiations be-
tween the government of the United
States and any other belligerent gov
ernment, notwithstanding the fact
that certain passages in the Imperial
governments note might appear to
be susceptible of that construction"
In completing the declaration that
there must be no misunderstanding
that rights of American citizens must
not be made subject to the conduct
of some other government, the note
concluded by saying:
Responsibility in such matters is
single, not joint; absolute, not rela-
tive"
Staggering Surprise.
The development today came as a
staggering surprise. For weeks in
spired authoritative and almost semi
official statements have been coming
from Berlin indicating an absolute
decision not to resume unrestricted
submarine warfare. The complete
agreement of the emperor, Chancel-
lor Won Bethmann-Hollweg, Gen Won
Hindenhurg and Gen. Won Luden-
dorff, that four men in whose hands
Germany's destiny lies, has been
mentioned frequently in dispatches
passing the censor.
Information received only today,
however, shows that very careful
campaign for the full use of sea
forces has been underway recently.
It has been urged as essential to Ger
many's existence and it was repre-
sented that it would be impossible
now for President Wilson to get the
American people behind him in a
declaration of war. Congress was
represented as opposed to war.
Germany, according to information
received here, realizes that her action
may result in a break Of relations,
but Berlin officials are prepared for
the rupture. Tonight they were rep
resented as feeling that the only
other steps open to the United States
are the calling of conference of
neutral nations to end the blockade
or the taking of some step which
speedily would result in peace.
Not Won Tirpitz's Plan.
Information received from the
same source is that Admiral Won Tir-
pitt or his followers had absolutely
nothing to do with the new policy,
On the contrary, it was said tonight
that Won Tirpitz was not as has here
tofore been supposed, removed from
power because he advocated ruthless
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