Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-17

Ine large ana lnnuenCldl SeCtlOH, III
| cluding majority of the socialists
and powerful influences among nom
| socialists which up to last month were
bringing the heaviest pressure to bear
| pm the government to take steps for
the opening of negotiations for peace
based on an understanding. Is now con-
vinced such negotiations are .impossi-
BILE. Virtually the entire nation is lined
| up behind the government for energetic
prosecution of the war.
No Statement of Terms.
| Regarding the possibility that Ger
many would make a statement of
terms. the announcement of DR.. Alfred
Zimmerman, the foreign secretary. to
the Associated Press indicates that
this is now out of the question and the
government apparently has adopted
this as a definite decision. For some
reason, however. there is an impression
which will not down that the govern
ment may, perhaps, reconsider and
make some announcement Of its peace
program, particularly in regard to Bel
! glum and the remainder of the western
front, as it has done already in regard
to Poland. Whether the government
will thus change it's policy may. per-
haps. depend on the degree Of en-
thusiasm shown by the Poles in de-
Tending their country.
Announcement Of terms for restora-
tion of Belgium and return of the occu-
pied provinces of France would, IL is
sued, be made for purposes of contrast
with the program of the entente, which,
SO far as Germany is concerned. is in
terpreted as meaning annexation OF
the Rhine and the ancient Polish prov
ince of Prussia. Should the terms be
announced it would not be in the ex-
pectation that they would lead for the
present to negotiations with the
entente.
Urging Ruthless Warfare.
The possible Inauguration of ruth
less submarine warfare in consequence
of the attitude of the entente. with a
view of bringing England to terms. is
much discussed. The interests and or
ganizations which during the last two
internal crises on the submarine ques-
tion were SO much in evidence are
again active. At present inaugura-
warm other words, indiscrirninate de-
struction without warning Of hostile
merchantmen and of neutrals within
the forbidden consequently is not
contemplated; but there are indica-
tions that naval warfare may be sharp
ened in other ways not affected by the
american agreement.
J. Among possible new measures is an
increase in the rigor of the prize rules,
with definite adhesion to the principle
which was slackened in the case of the
Bloomersdi1k, that neutral ships touch
ing an enemy port on the way to their
destination with contraband are con-
sidered fair prizes. This would be
based on the British practice of taking
cargo from neutral steamers putting
in at British ports for compulsory eX-
animation and sending it to the prize
court, or purchasing for government
la n n al i'm. in
which Great Britain compels to call at
Kirkwall, Falmouth or other ports for
examination and which Germany would
regard as carrying contra raband to the
enemy.
Entente Charges Answered.
BERLIN, January II. by wireless to
Sayvilfe, y. Y.-A statement ascribed
to a competent and well informed au-
thority," replying to the British au-
thoritative view of the most recent
German and Austrian notes to the
neutral governments, was issued today
by the Overseas News Agency.
I'm the British statement the asser-
ton again was made that Germany was
responsible for beginning the war, in
asmuch as the proposal for a conference
was rejected before the Russian gov
ernment gave orders for general mob
ilization The rejoinder to this is in the
form of a series of counter queries. in
cIuding the following:
"Did not Sir Edward Grey (the British
foreign secretary declare that he re-
nounced the idea of a conference if
Germany succeeded in making Austria
Hungary negotiate directly with
Russia?
court of arbitration made on the same
day that Russia mObiliZed against
Austria Hungary, the ally of Germany,
to whose assistance Germany was COM
PEELED to go by treaty, and was this not
swered by Germany only in such a man
ner as 1t was!
Warned Against Mobilization.
"Did not the British ambassador at
CT Petersburg (Petrograd) already on
Julv 25 d914) warn Sazanoff (Russian
foreign minister) against ordering
uobilization, since Germany could not
but must Immediately declare war?
Ibid not Count Won Pourtales Ger
man ambassador to Russia) continu-
ousIv inform Sazanoff to the same ef-
feet?
stay out of the war. but would she not
rather use the opportunity to assault
Germany, after Sir Edward Grey had
refused to remain neutral. even with
Belgian neutrality and the integrity Of
France and the French colonies guar
anteed by Germany!
"Isn't it to be seen from this fact
and from the refusal to give conditions
! at all. under which Great Britain would
remain neutral. that it was the abso-
| lutte British will to attack?
"Has not Russia, after she had car
| r;ed ont mobilization, expressed graft
tude to England for the firm attitude
which was observed by England to-
ward Germany?
series Of queries on various matters,
| including these:
Blame for Planting Mines.
"can England furnish any proof for her
afirmation that Germany before the
British laid mines in the German sea and
] Continued on Tenth Page.)