The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES

Diplomatic difficulties growing out
of the war in Europe continued to
confront the United States govern
ment throughout the past year. The
submarine controversy with Germany,
which had been more or less acute
since the sinking of the Lusitania, was
intensified March 2, when the British
ish steamer Englishman, both of which
carried Americans, were tOrpedoed
and sunk without warning. This oc
Cured about two weeks after congress,
at the urging of the president. had re-
fused to adopt a resolution warning
Americans to remain Off armed mer-
chant ships of the belligerents. The
german government at first denied any
responsibility for the attack on the
Sussex, and on April IS President VIII
son addressed q note which amounted
practically to an ultimatum TO the Ger.
man government. In this note the pres
ident declared that unless Germany
Immediately declared and effected an
abandonment of it's methods of sub
marine warfare against passenger and
freight-carrying vessels, the United
States could have no choice but TO
sever diplomatic relations with the
German empire altogether" Ger
many's reply to this note, received in
Washington May 5. promised compli-
ance in the future with the laws of
warfare In its submarine operations.
A supplementary note from Berlin. re-
ceived May 10, admitted that the Sus-
sex was torpedoed, expressed regret,
offered indemnity and declared that
the submarine commander had been
punished. No further serious contro-
versy occurred with Germany until
after the sinking of the Marina. with
Americans aboard, October %. 1t was
charged that the vessel was torpedOed
without warning. After an investiga-
ton Germany assumed responsibility
for the sinking of the boat, declaring
that the captain of the submarine
thought the Marina an armed trans
port.
An interchange of notes between the
United States and the entente govern
ments, regarding the seizure and exam
inatiOn of American mails, was prOduc-
tive of little result. In several COM
munications Great Britain and France
insisted upon their rights to examine
neutral mails, but on October II they
made some slight concessions, promis-
ing to improve the mail service be-
tween America and neutral countries.
A blacklist against American firms
and individuals, charged with dealing
with Germany, which was published
by Great Riitain July IS. and by
France August 6, brought emphatic
protests from the United States gov
eminent, but OF November IA Great
Britain formally rejected the American
protests, declaring that the blacklist
was not aimed at neutrals.
July o, the German submarine
Deutschland, the first merchant subma-
rine to cross the ocean, arrived at Bal
timOre July IL. The Deutschland was
formally declared a merchant vessel
by the United States authorities and
as such was entitled to the privileges
of merchant vessels. The, Deutschland
returned safely TO Germany and on Oc-
tober 81 arrived at New London, Conn,
on its second trip. The war was
brought close to the United States Oc-
tOber when German submarine, the
U-53, sank five merchant vessels off
the coast of the United States.