The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1917-02-09
OF WAR
ABSORBING TOPIC
BREAK WITH GERMANY PUTS
EVERY CITIZEN ON THE
ANXIOUS SEAT, AND is MAT
TER OF GRAVE CONCERN.
GERMANY WEIGHED THE COST
American Writer in Berlin Says De-
cision of Germany Was Reached
After Mature DeliberatiOn.

After Mature DellDeratlOns
"Wars and Rumors of Wars" has
been the all absorbing topic for dis
cussion during the past week, and al
other questions have given way -
the crisis that now confronts the
nation. Everybody of course is hope
full for the future, and many are IN
clined to believe that the imperial
government of Germany may yet
modify her position in regard to sub
marine warfare. The gravity Of the
situation however, may be compre-
hended by careful perusal OF the
following dispatch written by James
O'Donnell Bennett, an American cor
respondent in Berlin, and published In
the Chicago Tribune of last Sunday.
Following is what Mr.. Bennett said in
part
BERLIN, via wireless to Sayville,
Feb. 3.-The outstanding facts in the
new colossal phase Of submarine war
fare launched at midnight are four:
First, that <the German notes and
pronunciamentos heralding the cam
paign to the German empire and the
world mean precisely what they say.
Second, that Germany considered
both the probable defense and possi-
BILE perils of the campaign from every
angle before acting.
Third, the decision was reached
after deliberations characterized not
alone by gravity, but deepest solem-
nifty. Complete unanimity marked
the decision. The admiralty, political
leaders, Gems. Won Hindenburg and
Won Ludendorff all agreed. Their
standpoint can be emphasized in the
words. at is most serious step, but
necessary"
Fourth, there are resources of an
incredible extent at Germany's COM
mand for working out the gigantic
project.
The gravity with which every step
toward the great decision was taken
is reflected in the peoples acceptance
of the decision this morning.
There is no jubilation, but a pro-
found confidence that the pressure
which has made the people Ieel stif1ed
will now be lifted. When, as recently
has been the case, people read ex-
tras from the British press proclaim
ing what England is planning to do
as far ahead as 1918, it is felt that
Germany must not weaken in the COM
ing year, but strike a decisive blow
now.
There is a strong conviction now
that the decisive period has come.
Hence the prevailing view of belief
in the decision. On every hand are
heard the words:
at is serious, but it had to come"
Everywhere there is confidence of
success. In political circles there are
no party splits over the decision. One
hears no talk Of the Chancellor fac
ton or the Tirpitz faction. There is
no suggestion that the decision is
untimely, which was the principle OBJ
lection made when the subject was
discussed earlier in the war The
gravity with which the matter has
been considered and the unanimity of
opinion convince all foreign observers
here, that this is no reckless threat
of desperate warfare, but measure
vital to the preservation of the empire
Pointing to the record of 415,0O0
tons of shipping sunk in December,
German experts say:
eff we could attain such results
with cruising submarines it is obvious
that results will be staggering in an
unlimited submarine warfare, with no
obligation Of visit and search. Sub
marine warfare has reached such
stage of perfection that this new
phase of the action will be no bluff.
II will be a serious operation Europe
will have to undergo for the sake of
! it's future health"