Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-01

graph to return to Washington imme-
diately. He is in Boston and was not
due here until next Tuesday.
All Denmark and the Baltic
Shut Off by the Blockade
Mapped Out in German Note
The forbidden area for neutral ves-
sells under Germanys warning is
bounded by line running from prac-
tically the center of the Netherlands
coast northward, blockading all Dem
mark and the entrance to the Baltic.
to the outside point of Norway; thence
due west. skirting the southern part of
the Farce Islands: then west and then
south in a grand square 300 to 400
miles to sea off the British Isles, to the
junction of Spain and Portugal. appar-
entity leavinf the latter country open
and anording a twenty-mile safety
zone along the northern Spanish coast
to the French border
Practically the whole Mediterranean
Is declared dangerous, except a narrow
strip almost paralleling the African
coast 10 a point directly south of
Ireece, from which a twenty-mile path
70 creek territorial waters is declared
open.
Germany's solicitude for Greece Was
interpreted in some quarters here as
, indicating that, despite the Greek ac-
ceptance of the allied demands, Ger
many still hopes for a change in the
SITUATION In that country. At present,
however, this access to Greece is of
little value. as that country still is
blockaded by the allies
German Effort to Strike Back.
On almost every side Germany's
drastic action is interpreted as an
open confession Of the effectiveness of
the British food blockade 1t is re-
garded as determination to strike
back in kind. German officials In the
United States estimate the food supply
on the British Isles will last a month
Admittedly the plan is to carry
starvation to the doors of England
with swift, staggering strokes as a
fulfillment of Germany's announced de-
termination to use every weapon and
agency at her command to end the
war quickly. She counts on the oper-
atoms OF an unheard-of number of
submarines to deliver blows to bring
England to her knees within sixty
days. One German official here pre-
dicted today the war would be over in
a month.
American citizens and American ships
are warned from entering the war
zones. although certain precautionary
gushing American steamers not carry
ing contraband according to the Ger
man list. These conditions in almost
the same form were rejected when pro-
posed by Germany early in the nego-
tiations over the Lusitania. At that
time Germany proposed to guarantee
immunity from attack to certain speci
fed passenger ships, sailing on pre-
gushing marks and carrying no con-
traband. President Wilson rejected the
proposal promptly on the ground that
the United States was contending only
for its rights.
The new German proclamation brushes
aside all the perplexing collateral is
sues which have surrounded the sub
marine controversy and brings it back
to the point where it was left at the
conclusion of the Sussex case.
Germanys announcement reclting the
refusal of her enemies to discuss her
peace proposals, and referring to the
starvation blockade, says:
'"Thus new situation has sprung
up which forces Germany also to new
decisions"
Decision Forecast.
forecast when the Sussex negotiations
were closed.
In the note conveying her pledges to
keep submarine activities within inter
national law. Germany included a
threat of resumption if the United
States did not succeed in lifting British
restrictions on commerce to Germany
and the European neutrals. and the
United States in reply expressly warned
Germany that her pledges must be abb
solutely unconditional.
'Neutrals." said Germany in the Sus-
sex note. cannot expect that Germany,
forced to fight for her existence, shall
for the sake of neutral interest restrict
the use of an effective weapon If her
enemy is permitted to continue to APP
ply at will methods Of warfare violat-
ing the rules of international law. !"
Should the steps taken by the United
States not attain the object to
have the laws of humanity followed by
all belligerent nations, the German gov
eminent would then be facing new
situation. in which it must reserve it
self complete liberty of decision"
To any such reservation the United
States demurred in no uncertain terms
Prepared for Break.
Germany, according to information re-
ceived here, realizes that her action NAV
result in a break of relations, but Ber-
lin officials are prepared for the rupture
Today they we're represented as feeling
that the only other steps open to the
United States are the calling of a con-
ference of neutral nations to end the
blockade or the taking of some step
which speedily would result in peace
The German view is that the new
policy will improve general prospects of
as still being ready to discuss 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 it clear
that Germany and her allies are in the
war to the last drop of blood
Unrestricted submarine warfare. it
was declared, was determined upon as
soon as the nature of the entente reply
to President Wilson'S note became
known and before the Presidents ad-
dress to the Senate. The Presidents
address. it was said authoritatively,
came in the midst of the situation and
because of its nature it appeared for
time as if the new campaign might be
postponed. However. it was explained,
much preparation was necessary for
the opening of such a campaign and
nothing was to be gained by waiting
1t is expected that Austria Hungary
will take action similar to that of Ger
many with regard to the operations of
its submarines in the Mediterranean.
Two German Views.
Two opposing views of American hos
tility have been allowed to pass the