The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-02-15

extended U.boat warfare.
Copenhagen.-Little hope or eXpec-
tation prevails in Berlin that war with
the United States is avoidable, or
that a modus vivendi reconciling the
policies of the two governments can
be found. There now is a desire on
the part of the authorities and a vast
bulk of the people to avoid actual hos
tilities in any way consistent with the
general lines of the present subma-
rine policy, but only in such a way.
Accordingly instructions were given,
it is reliably reported, to submarine
commanders before they started on
their February mission, to take the
safe side when neutral vessels, par
ticularly American, were in question,
whenever possible. Enemy merchant
ment, when recognized as such, were
ordered to be sunk at sight, but neu-
tral merchantmen we're to be warned
when such action, in their judgment.
was consistent with the object of the
campaign and the safety of their own
ships.
Thought Break Was Only Deferred.
1t was realized, however, after the
prompt and resolute stand taken by
President Wilson, that these orders
could only defer, not avoid, an ultimate
break Also that if President Wilson
stood by his announcement that the de-
nf liyoC chinC
would be regarded as an act of hos
tility, a casus belli must come sooner
or later-probably sooner on account
of the number of Americans on enemy
ships.
Moreover, there was the discretion
ary nature of the instructions to sub.
marine commanders who were in.
formed that while the careful course
toward neutrals was recommended and
desired, they would no longer be sub.
jected to punishment for departing
from their former procedure of warn.
ing if they found this advisable. 1t is
considered that the only possibility OF
the avoidance of hostilities would re-
suit from a modification of its stand.
point by one or the other side.
Crisis More Difficult.
German-American 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 optimist
can scarcely see any peaceful egress
out Of the impasse. From a neutral
cable Office it now is possible to tell
the story Of the development Of the
present crisis, on which the most rigid
censorship has been applied in Ger
many.
To the observer in Berlin, the ap-
proach of the crisis has been plainly
and definitely evident since the rejec
ton Of Germany's peace Overtures. In
formation as to Germany's definite de-
cision to start sharpened submarine
war, and even the form it would take,
namely, a blockade of specified re-
gions Through the idea of prohibit
ed zone" was later substituted for that
of blockade" at the request of the
naval authorities, who anticipated pos
sible formal objections under the
blockade regulations), was received al
most on the morrow of Ambassador
Gerard's speech on German-American
good relations, delivered at the ban
quet of the American Association OF
Commerce and Trade early in January.
A week later it was stated that a
full decision on the situation had not
been reached, and that the campaign
would not be launched until after fur
ther consultations with Germany's S
allies and the receipt Of certain infor-
nation from Count Won Bernstorff
and Count TarnowsN Won Tarnow, re,
spectively, German and AustroHun.
garian ambassadors to the United
States, OF their concept Of armed mer.
chantmen and their liability to attack
as warships.
The final decision on an out-and-out
submarine campaign Of so-called
ruthless type apparently was taken at
Messages Sent BY AIarmIsts.
Copenhagen.-The German govern