The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-01
Most Smpendous Starvation Blockade World Has Seen To
Be Directed Against England in Swift Staggering Strokes
Neutral Shipping Is Warned Keep Paths Prescribed
by Central Powers Washington Is Stunned.

Washinston. JAM 3l.-Germany has declared
unrestrictive ,snbmarne warfare.
A starvation blockade Of England. the like oi
which the world never mas seen. was announced to
the world today an notes delivered to American Am
bassador Gerard in Berlin and to the state depart
ment here BY. Count Won Bemstorfr.
Thus begins the long.feared Campaign Of ruth
Iessness. conceived by Won Hendcnburs, it is said
here, on magnitude never even contemplated by
Won Tiphz.
Again the United States faces severance Of dip
lomatc relations with Germany with all its eventual
possibilities President Wilson's repeated warnings
Of "a world afre." and Secretary Lansins's verge
Of war; statement are being recalled in the capital
tonight, with feelings Of apprehension and missvinss
Action Brings
Super-Crisis
Cermanys action is the super-crisis Of all those
that have stirred the American government in two
and halt years Of world war.
Talk Of peace in Europe and of means Of pre-
serving the peace Of the world have gone glimmering
President Wilson, increduious at first when the
unofficial text Of Gemany's warning was brought
to him. at once called for the official document,
which had just been presented to Secretary Lansing
by the German ambassador Mr.. Lansing abso-
lutely refused to make comment. President Wilson
began at once careful study Of the document.
The president has the task Of deciding what shall
be the course Of the United States Three imme-
diatc steps appear among the possibilities. The
United States might solcmnly warn Germany against
v,Oatson of her v,loJooc. H. III
that the German warning is sufficient notice of an
intention to disregard those pledges and sufficient
warrant for breaking off diplomatic relations: it
might be decided to await the results Of the block
ade and determine the course Of the United States.
as the actual operations develop.
On almost every side Gcmany's drastic action is
interpreted open confession Of the effectiveness
Of the British food blockade. 1t is regarded as de-
termination to strike back in kind
Starvation
For England
German officials in the United States estimate the
food supply the British isles will last month.
Admittedly. the plan is to carry starvation to the
doors Of England. with swift. staggering Strokes as
a fulfllment Of Cemany's announced determination
to use every weapon and agency at her command to
end the war quickly. She counts on the operations
Of an unheard-of number Of submarines to deliver
blows to bring England to her knees within 60 days
One German official here predicted today the war
would be over in a month";
Conveyed to the world as her answer to the
refusal Of the entente allies to talk peace. Cermanys
latest warning says: szs@='-..,,,..
From February !. 1917. within barred zones
around Great Britain. France. Italy and in the cast
ern Mediterranean, = = all sea traffic forth.
with will be opposed"
1t virtually is renewal and an extension Of the
celebrated submarine blockade oi the British isles.
proclaimed on February 4. 1915. and which be-
came effective February Is. 1915 Under it.
ships were sunk without warning. until CermaLy
abandoned the practice and gave her assurances in