El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-01

come so suddenly in the midst OF lin
sering hopes for an early peace IN Eu-
rooe and specula ton over what might
be the presidents next move toward
that end that there had been little time
for elaboration
calls in Col. House.
President Wilson. upon whom lies
the burden of determining the nations
course. was alone in his study AT the
white house until late in the night with
a copy Of the German note tae saw no
callers but is understood 10 nave heid
several telephone conferences win
members Of the cabinet and 10 have
sent a summons to Col E NJ House.
his close friend and constant adviser on
foreign affairs Col House. leaving
his home in New York after midnight.
reached here early today
VIII Act Quickly.
There was every indication that
whatever the American government did
would be done quickly Apparently II
was agreed that there were but three
courses open Handing count Won
Bernstorff mis- passports without furth-
er ado. sending al once a worning TO
Germany that she would violate Ameri-
can rights at her peril. or awaiting the
development of the new starvation
campaign against England announced
70 begin today.
President Is Amazed.
ticn OF the trend o. his thoughts since
ne expressed incredulous Amusement
" ednesday when informed of what was
coming through The Associated Press
dispatches from Berlin.
The new German warning carries the
situation back practically TO where it
was upon the original proclamation By
Germany two years ago of q war zone
around the British Isles
The proclamation called forth the
"a = #HHH
from the United States It was fol
lowed by the sinking OF the Lusitan;a
and the virtual ultimatum from the
United States which resulted in the
German pledge not TO sink liners
without warning and provision for the
safety OF those or board. Then came
the long series of alleged violations Of
this pledge. eliminating in the attack
upon the channel passenger steamer
Sussex
Germany Had Given Pledges.
In her final note in the Sussex case. /
Germany extended her pledges 10 COW
er all peaceful merchant craft. but gave
notice that If what she termed Great (
Britain's illegal blockade was main
tafned. 4 new situation would be ere
ateG IN which she would reserve full !
liberty OF action. The exchanges closed /
with the United States accepting the I
new assurances in a terse note which :
Informed the Berlin government that Z
snce of American rights was not con-
tingent uDou the outcome OF negotia- ;
ton between the United States and {
another nation
Germany Has Fleet OF U-Boats.
The new situation has arisen and the /
reserved liberty of action is TO be used. /!
According to information from Teu- !
tonic sources here. Germany has ready !
from 800 TO 500 submarines ready 20 1
wage relentless war upon shipping in 1
the prescribed area, a great section OF /
the high seas stretching 500 or 400 l
miles from the coasts OF the British 4
Isles and including almost the whole )
OF the Mediterranean sea I
German Embassy n Bright Spot.
4 score Of American lives have been 4
cst since the slate was wiped by Ger \
nanys promises in the Sussex case.
after each new sinking came informal !
assurances that Germany was ready I
q make amends If her submarine com
handlers had violated orders. In fact
he German embassy here was the !
brightest spot in the situation which
American officials viewed as constant
y growing darker.
An evidence Of the efforts of the
IN bassy here to keep relations tranquil
{ found in 4 comparison of the note
landed TO secretary Lansing by count
ron Bernstorff with the one handed
~ the Berlin foreign office to ambas-
iador Gerard
Bernsrerff Softens Note
ne note puDA4SAGu III Berlin d-l-
ounces in bold terms the determine
ion of Germany 10 WELD every weapon 1
II her command without quarter, while !
he note presented TO the American state 4
department. says the same thing in l
softened language
The German embassy for months has I
5een building up an atmosphere of /
lopefulness and at one time ii was said /
hat admiral Won Tirpitz. who origi- 4
,ated the campaign Of ruthlessness. &C !
.ually had been forced from his high
position by influences brought TO bear .
y the German ambassador here in an !
-ffort to preserve god relations with !
he United States.
Why Won Tirpitk Quit.
Now il is frankly disclosed that Won !
IirpitZ was deposed because he did I
rot carry the campaign of ruthlessness
ar enough; that he was unprepared,
with an insufficient mum Der of under
seq ships. to make this force effective !
and was punished for his shortsig GIFTED
ness. Now the officials who speak /
FOR Germany in this country unhesi- !
"a tinsly announce the plan to starve
,ut England with a fleet Of subma-