Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-02
SUBMARINES ARE
GIVEN FREE REIN
Continued From Page IL

In fact, even members Of the foreigl
relations committee Of the senate rea'
for the first time in the morning news
papers the text of the warning not
handed yesterday to Ambassador Gel
ard at Berlin and delivered to the stat
department by Count Won Bernstorff
President Wilson, upon whom lie
the burden Of determining the nations
course, was alone in his study at tn,
white house until late in the nigh
with copy of the German note. H,
saw no callers, but is understood tt
have held several telephone confer
ences with members Of the cabinet ant
to have sent summons to Col. f. NJ
House. his close friend and constan
adviser on foreign affairs. Colone
House, leaving his home in New Yorl
after midnight, reached here early this
morning.
Three Courses Open.
| There Is every indication that what
ever the American government does
will be done quickly. Apparently it is
agreed that there are but three
courses open: Handing Count vor
Bernstorff his passports without fur
Their ado; sending at once warning
to Germany that she will violate Amer
lean rights at her peril, or awaiting
the development of the new starvation
campaign against England announced
! to begin today.
The new German warning carries
the situation back practically to where
It was upon the original proclamation
by Germany two years ago of a war
| zone around the British isles. That
proclamation called forth the famous
| "strict accountability" note from the
United States. 1t was followed by the
sinking Of the Lusitania and the vir-
tual ultimatum from the United States
which resulted in the German pledge
not to sink Timers" without warning
and provision for the safety Of those
on board. Then came the long series
Of alleged violations OF this pledge cul-
minating in the attack upon the chan
mel passenger steamer Sussex.
Adopt New Policy.
In her final note, in the Sussex case,
Germany extended her pledges to GOV.
er all peaceful merchant craft but gave
notice that If what she termed Great
Britain's illegal blockade was main.
tanned, a new situation would be Gre
ated in which she would reserve full
liberty of action. The exchanges clos
ed with the United States accepting
which informed the Berlin government
that It was taken for granted that OBJ.
servance Of American rights was not
contingent upon the outcome of nego-
tiations between the United States and
another nation.
The new situation has arisen and
the reserved liberty of action is to be
used According to information from
Teutonic sources here, Germany has
ready from 800 to 500 submarines to
wage relentless war upon shipping in
the prescribed area, a great section of
the high seas stretching three or four
hundred miles from the coasts Of the
British isles and almost the whole Of
the Mediterranean sea.
Tirpitz Misjudged?
The German embassy for months has
been building up an atmosphere OF
hopefulness and at one time 1t was said
that Won Tirpitz. who originated the
campaign OF ruthlessness. actually had
been forced from his high position by
influences brought to bear by the Ger
man ambassador here in an effort to
preserve good relations with the Unit
ed States. Now it is frankly disclosed
that Won Tirpitz was deposed because
he did not carry the campaign of ruth
lessness far enough: that he was I'M
prepared with an insufficient number
Of undersea ships to make his force
effective and was punished for his
short sightedness. Now the officials
who speak for Germany in this country
unhesitatingly announce the plan to
starve out England with feet of sub.
marines which they estimate at be.
tween 300 and 500 and they think they
can cut off the food supply Of the Brit
ish Isles completely within sixty days.
Have Concealed Cards.
American officials are not convinced
that Germany's announcement Of a
campaign Of ruthlessness reveals the
entire situation Other circumstances
which have come into possession of
American government but are not be-
ing disclosed give ground for the pos.
sibility that the new submarine block
ade may be only the forerunner of
something else equally startling.
ut oil vi WHICH was
openly expressed at the German en-
bassy was generally interpreted as an
indication that the Berlin government
was very sure of the success of its
plans.
The new crisis however. brings new
dangers to the very shores of the Unit
ed 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 secret
ly 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 inves-
tigation for many months.
This was diplomatic day at the state
department and Secretary Lansing can
celled it.
Diplomats who asked Secretary Ian
sing were told that he was very busily
preparing something for Pres.
ident Wilson.
NAV Su0DTEN