Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-02-01

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 Conveyed to the world as her an- swer to the refusal of the entente allies to talk peace, Germany's off cial warning says:
 From February 1, 1917, within barred zones around Great Britain, France. Italy and the eastern Medi- terranean * s * all sea traffic forth with will be opposed"
 It virtually is a renewal and ex- tension of the celebrated submarine blockade of the British isles, pro claimed on February 4. 19lo, ana which became effective February Is, 1915. Under it ships were sunk with out warning until Germany abandoned the practice and gave her assurance in the Suss:X tGse to abi lc DJ jn- ternaNional law. The 1A!stania Falaba and scores ot othe. ships were sunk under the d'cree.
 Americans Warned to Keep Gut.
 American citizens and American ships are warned from entering the war zones, although certain precau- tionary measures are suggested for distinguishing American steamers Tot carrying ccntraband, according to the German lists These conditions in almost the same form were rejected when proposed by Germany early in the negotiations over the Lusi.anla. At that time Germany proposed to guarantee immunity from attack to certain specified ships sailing on pre- scribed courses, with distinguishing marks and carrying no contraband. President Wilson promptly rejected the proposal on the ground that the United States was contending only for it's rights.
 The new German proclamation brushes aside all the perpleXing col lateral issues which have surrounded the submarine controversy, and has brought it back to the point where it was left at the conclusion of the Sussex case.
 Today's announcement, reciting the refusal of Germany's enemies to dls- cuss her peace proposal and refer ring to the starvation blockade en- forced by England, says:
 'Thus a new situation has sprung up which forces Germany also to new decisions"
 Open Defiance U. s. Warning.
 In the note conveying pledges to keep submarine activities within in ternational law, Germany included threat of resumption if the United States did not succeed in lifting Brit ish restrictions on commerce to Ger many and European neutrals, and the United States, in reply, expressly warned Germany that her pledge must hn ahSO1ute1y unconditional
 "Neutrals," said Germany in the Sussex note, "cannot expect that Ger many, forced to fight for her exist ence, shall, for the sake of neutral interests, restrict the use of an eff fective weapon if her enemy is per mitted to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the rules of international law. Should the steps taken by the United States fail to attain their object s * to have laws of humanity fol- lowed by all belligerent nations. the German government would then be facing new situation, in which it must reserve to itself complete lib- erty of decision"
 To any such reservation, the United States demurred in no uncertain terms
 ''The United States feels it neces- sary to say" said President Wilson in reply, that it takes for granted that the imperial German government does not intend to imply that the main- tenance of it's newly-annOunced policy is in any way contingent upon the course or result of diplomatic negotia- tions between the governments of the United States and any other bellig- erent nation, notwithstanding the fact that certain passages in the imperial { governments note might appear to be susceptible of that construction"
 In communicating the declaration that the rights of American citizens must not be made subject to the con- duct of some other country the com munication to Germany said:
 Responsibility in such matters is single, not joint; absolute, not rela- 7 tive"
 AReady Now to Discuss Peace." The German note, referring to President Wilson's recent address 'o the senate, declares that ''it is highly gratifying to the imperial government to ascertain that the tendencies of this important statement coincide largely to the desires and principles professed by Germany and after as serting that Germany and her allies "were ready now to enter into dis cussion of peace" and reciting that sudh proposals were made in the note Of December 12, the note continues
 "The attempt of the four allied mowers to bring about peace has