The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-01

, States demurred in no uncertain
terms.
The United States feels it neces-
lary TO state" said President Wilson )
reply. that it takes it for granted
that the Imperial German government
does not Intend to imply that .the
maintenance: of it's newly announced
policy is in any way contingent upon
the course, or result Of diplomatic
negotiations between the government
of the United States and any other
belligerent government. notwithstanc-
ing the fact that certain passages III
the imperial governments note might
appear to be susceptible of that coa-
. struction. ..
: In completing the declaration that
there must be no MISUNDERSTANDING
that rights of American citizens must
not be made subject to the ,conduct
of some other goyernment, the noI1
concluded by saying: "Responsloll-
ity in such matters is single, not 1olu''
absolute, not relative.
A Staggering Surprise.
The development today came as
staggering surprise. For weeks III
spired authoritative, and almost seill'
official statements have been conlus
from Berlin indicating an aosolute
decision not to resume unreslrlcteu
submarine warfare. The complete
agreement of the Emperor, Chancel-
lor Won Bethmann-Hollweg, General
Won Hindenburg and General Won LII
dendorff, the four men in whose nanos
Germany's destiny lies. has been men
toned frequently in dispatches pass
ing the censor.
Information received, only today
however, shows that a very care1ul
campaign for the full seEof sea forces
has been under way recently. IL mas
been urged as essential to Germany
existence and it was represented lndI
it would be impossible now for Presl-
dent Wilson to get the American Peo
pie behind him in a declaration OIL
war. Congress was represented Us
opposed to war. Germany, accorU!ns
TO information received here, reallzes
that her action may result in break
of relations, but Berlin officials are
prepared for the rupture. Tonight,
thev were represented as feeling that
the only other steps open TO tne
United States are the calling or a
conference Of neutral nations to eno
the blockade. or the taking or some
step which speedily would result IN
peace.
source is that Admiral Won T1rpltz,
or his followers. had absolutely noth-
ing 10 do with the. new policy. On
the contrary, it was said tonight tnat
Won Tirpitz was not, as has hereto
fore been supposed. removed from
power because he advocated rutnleSS
submarine warfare. The fact, accord
ing to this information. was that ne
was deposed because. he did not al
o,,t -ho hp
inaugurated.
From German quarters tonight,
came the information that Germany
now has from 300 to 500 submarines
ready for the campaign.
Will Improve the Peace Prospects
The German view Is that the new
policy will improve general prospects
of an early peace. Germany Is re-
presented as still being ready 10 dis
cuss peace at any time. However,
it is declared that German officials
both in this country and in Berlin
feel that the declaration OF changed
policy should make 1t clear that Ger
many and her allies are in the war
to the last drop Of blood.
Unrestricted submarine warfare, II
was declared, was determined upon az
soon as the nature Of the Entente re-
ply to President Wilson'S note be-
came known, and before the Presl-
dents address to the Senate. The
Presidents address. it was said au-
thoritatiyely, come in the midst Of the
situation and because Of its nature,
it appeared for a time as ii the new
campaign might be postponed. How
ever, it was explained. much prepara-
ton was necessary for the. opening
OF such a campaign and nothing was
to be gained by waiting.
It is believed here that the policy
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