Iditarod pioneer., 1917-02-17
GERMANY SHOWS DESIRE
 TO AVOID POSSIBILITIES

WASHINGTON, Feb l0-Germany IS understood here to have addressed to the United States com munication suggesting that the two governments dis cuss ways and means of preventing actual warfare between them While information regarding the channel through which the communication IS ad- dressed is lacking it is probable that 1t IS beng for- wardcd by the government of Switzerland Germany IS understood to have made it clear that although diplomatic relations have been broken off, she greatly desires that peace be maintained.
 An Effort to Place Blame on United States
 WASHINGTON, Feb. l2.-Ohcals today are ln~ clned to regard the latest offer of Germany to dis cuss means for preventing war, as presented through the Swiss minister, only effort to cast on the United States the appearance of being the behgeIent The official attitude seems to be that the United States and German governments can have no dlplo- matic dealings until Germany gives up her program of unrestricted submarine warfare, and that any other advances in the meanwhile will only to becloud the issue of American rights.
 It IS not certain whether any answer will be made to the suggestion Officials noted with interest to- day that the submarine toll of merchant ships yester day fell to the lowest level since the new campaign started
 German Boasts and Threats
 BERNE, Feb. l4.-Cermany IS prepared to send submarines into American waters, especially III the vicinity of the Panama canal German officials pect to have the entente allies at their mercy within six months, regardless of American developments. They are confident that the submarines will parayze the war industries of the allies, and assert that Ger many Is stronger today in a military than at any time since the war began, because of the soa- ton of America Germany does not believe that American participation in the war will have any real effect
 WEI Arn Merchant Vessels
 WASHINGTON, Feb. l2.--Ihe armng of neutral vessels for sef-defense in no way constitutes hos tile act and the United States will insist emphatcay upon the right to do so whether its vessels at- tackled on the high rot. This has been made very plain by Secretary of State Lansing
 The government has virtually decided to place guns at the disposal of owners of vessels in order that they may resist attack.
 Time Limit Has Expired
 WASHINGTON, Feb l3.-Berhn announced to- day that the time has expired within which restrc- tons would be placed upon the operations of sub marines.
 The Submarine Campaign
 BERLIN Feb. l2No German submarine fired ot life boats will do in future declared official in press bu- reau statement today denying the British of the sinking of the Eavcsonc.
 LONDON Feb lo-Two British Norwegian vessels were sunk today Three EngGhen and American members of the the torpedod steamship Danes picked up from small boat by tra"eT They had been without food for five days
 LONDON I2Tso small vessels bagged in Sundays submarine operations.
 LONDON Feb 13-The White Star liner Aric has sunk ti a submarine Seventeen of her missing
 LONDON Feb. 1.-The American schooner Lyman M Law was sunk by submarine today according dispatch from Rome The crew. including eight Americans, landed.
 PARIS Feb 14One hundred and twelve vessels ncrned in French ports Monday The French government prob ably prize of half million francs to the of the vessel regardless nationality which destroys attacking sub marine.
 LONDON Feb l7-Four vessels with tonnage of 5000 were reported to have been sunk Up today BRAND WHlTLOCK HELD AS GERMAN PRISONER WASHINGTON, Feb 15.-ORcial word has been .a:..aI lo.a 4l.4 Rx..l Wl,itlock lnited States