The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-01-04
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

Diplomatic difficulties growing out
of the war in Europe continued to
confront the United States govern
ment throughout the past year. The
] submarine controversy with Germany,
which had been more or less acute
since the sinking Of the Lusitania. was
intensified March 2, when the British
Channel steamer Sussex and the Brit
ish steamer Engllshman, both Of which
carried Americans, were tOrpedoed
and sunk without warning. This Oc-
CURED about two weeks after congress,
at the urging of the president, had re-
fused to adopt a resolution warning
Americans to remain off armed mer-
chant ships Of the belllgerents. The
german government at first denied any
responsibility for the attack on the
Sussex, and on April IS President VIII
son addressed a note which amounted
practically to an ultlmatum to the Ger
man government. In this note the pres
ident declared that unless Germany
Immediately declared and effected an
abandonment of its methods of sub
marine warfare against passenger and
freight-carrying vessels, the United
States could have no choice but TO
sever diplomatic relations with the
German empire altogether" Ger
many's reply TO this note, received in
Washington May 5, promised cOmp!i-
ance In the future with the laws Of
warfare In its submarine operations
A supplementary note from Berlin, re-
ceived May 10 admitted that the Sus-
sex was tOrpedOed expressed regret.
offered indemnity and declared that
the submarine commander had been
punished. No further serious cOntrO-
versy occurred with Germany until
after the sinking of the Marina, with
Americans aboard, October 2S. 1t was
charged that the vessel was tOrpedOed
without warming. After an investiga-
tiOn Germany assumed responsibility
for the sinking of the boat, declaring
that the captain Of the submarine
thought the Marina an armed trans
port.
An interchange of notes between the |
United States and the entente govern |
ments regarding the seizure and exam
inati0n of American mails. was prOduc-
tive Of little result. In several COM
Great Britain and France
insisted upon their rights to examine |
neutral mails. but on October y they |
made some slight concessions. prOmis- |
ing to improve the mail service be !
tween America and neutral countries. |
A blacklist against American firms |
and individuals, charged with dealing |
with Germany, which was published |
by Great Britain July IS, and by |
France August 6, brought emphatic |
protests from the United States gov
eminent, but on November Il Great |
Britain formally rejected the American |
protests, declaring that the blacklist |
was not aimed at neurrals.
July o, the German submarine |
the first merchant Subma- |
-ine TO cross the ocean, arrived ar Bal |
-imore July II. The Deutschland was |
formally declared a merchant vessel |
1y the United States authorities and |
IS Sucl was eAlLLieu 10 LiIe privileges
If merchant vessels. The Deutschland |
safely to Germany and on Oc-
ober 81 arrived at New London, Conn,
IN its second trip. The war was
brought close to the United States Oc-
Ober when a German submarine, the
JOB. sank five merchant vessels off
he coast of the United States.