Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-01

number of undersea ships to make
this force effective and was punished
for his shortsightedness.
| More Startling Coming!
Now, the officials who speak for
Germany in this country, unhesitating-
ly announce the plan to starve out
England with a fleet of submarines
which they estimate at between 500
and 500 and that the think they can
cut off the food supply of the British
Isles completely within sixty days.
American officials are not convinced
that GermanyS announcement of q
campaign of ruthlessness reveals the
entire situation. There have been in
timations of dissension between the
entente allies, all of which, however,
have been officially denied and there
are other circumstances which have
come into possession of the American
government, but are not being dis
closed which give ground for the pos
sibility that the new submarine block
ade may be only the forerunner or
something else equally startling.
Neither is there assurance that the
new warfare will be confined to
| changes on the seas.
The air of confidence which was
openly expressed at the German en-
bassy was generally interpreted as an
indication that the Berlin government
was virtually sure of the success of its
plans.
| new hangers Here
New crisis, however, brings new
dangers to the very shores of the
United States where a score or more
of German and Austrian ships have
been laid up since the beginning of
the war, and where several German
| commerce raiders are interned
Reports of ships being armed Sc
cret1y for a dash to sea, of plots TO
sink them at their wharves or to
block American harbors by destroying
them in the channels have been under
investigation for many months.
This was diplomatic day at the
state Department, a set occasion for
receiving representatives of foreign
governments. Secretary Lansing,
| however, Cancelled it and those who
had routine business were taken into
conference by lesser officials. The
British ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring
R1ce and the Japanese ambassador,
Mr.. Sato, were among the early call
ers.
Diplomats who asked for Secretary
Lansing were told he was very busily
engaged preparing something for
President Wilson.
Capital Awakes With Shivcr
! Washington awoke this morning
with shiver to a realization of this
SITUATION. 1t had come so suddenly in
the midst of lingering hopes for an
early peace in Europe and specula-
| ItOA ONSl WIldI might De Ine PTeSl-
dents next move toward that end
| that there had been little time for de-
| liberation. In fact, even members of
the Foreign Relations committee of
the Senate read for the first time in
the morning newspapers the text of
| the warning note handed yesterday to
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin and de-
| liVered to the State Department by
! Count Won Bernstorff.
President Wilson, upon whom lies
the burden of determining the ma
tion's course, was alone in his study
at the White House until late in the
night with copy of the German note
He saw no callers, but is understood
/ to have held several telephone confer
| ences' with members of the cabinet
| and to have sent a summary to Colo
mel e. M. House. his close friend and
constant adviser on foreign affairs
Colonel House, leaving his home in
New York after midnight, reached
here early this morning.
VIII Act Quickly
There is every indication that what
ever the American government does
will be done quickly.
Apparently 1t is agreed that there
are but three courses open:
Handing Count Won Bernstorff
his passport without further ado:
sending at once a warning to
Germany that she will violate
awaiting the development of the
new starvation campaign against
England announced to begin to-
day.
The President has given no intima
ton of the trend of his thoughts since
he expressed incredulous amazement
yesterday when informed of what was
coming through the Associated Press
dispatches from Berlin. So far as
could be learned early to-day no ar
| rangement had been made for him to
appear before Congress-, as he did
last year to announce the dispatch of
the Sussex note informing Germany
that unless the Imperial government
abandoned the conduct of submarine
warfare without regard to the princi-
pies of humanity and the rights of
neutrals. the United States would be
obliged to break off diplomatic rela-
tions.
Back TO First Disagreement
The new German warning carries
the situation back practically to where
1t was upon the original proclama-
ton by Germany two years ago of q
war zone around the British Isles
That proclamation called forth the
| famous "strict accountability" note
from the United States, 1t was fol-
lowed by the sinking of the Lusitania
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 on board. Then came
the long series of alleged violations
of this pledge, eliminating in the at
tack upon the channel passenger
steamer Sussex.
Has 500 U-Boats Ready
In her final note in the Sussex case
Germany extended her pledges to
cover all peaceful merchant craft, but
gave notice that If what she termed
| Great Britain's illegal blockade was
maintained, a new situation would be
created in which she would reserve
| full liberty of action. The exchanges
closed with the United States accept
ing the new assurances in a terse note
which informed the Berlin govern
ment that 1t was taken for granted
that observance of American rights
! was not contingent upon the outcome
of negotiations between the United
States and another nation.
! The new situation has arisen and
the reserved liberty of action is. to