Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1917-02-15
NEW COMPLICATION ARISES IN
CONDITION BETwEEN o. 8.
AND GERMANY
INDIGNATION IS MUCH AROUSED
Situation Is Considered More Tense
Than Since Relations We're
Broken With Kaiser

Washington, Feb. ia sharp
turn to the already critical situation
between the United States and Ger
many occurred today when positive
Information reached the government
brining word, carried by United Press
dispatches from Carl W. Ackerman.
that Brand Whitlock. United States
minister to Belgium. was forced BY
German authorities At Brussels to
lower the American flag over his le-
cation there.
The government dispatch also car
ried the information that whitlock
besides being forced to take down the
stars and stripes. has been cut OF
from communication with his govern
ment and that American relief work
ers In Belgium ARE being detained"
This new act by Germany has ad-
mittedly aroused the indignation Of
onlcials to q point where the general
situation may be described today a.
more grave than at any time since
the breaking Of diplomatic relations.
This government will seek an i'm
mediate explanation Of the Incident
through the Swiss minister.
Meantime nothing has been heard
regarding inquiries as Germany's-in-
tended procedure with American Var
rowdale prisoners.
Washington. Feb. 15.--Near-peace-
ful relations with Germany and the
Teutonic allies. were stretched to the
swapping point today, when this gov
ernment received positive confirma-
tion of the ominous report carried in
United Press dispatches from Berne.
that Brand Whitlock. American min
lister to Belgium, had been forced
to lower the stars and stripes from
the United States legation in Brus-
sells. This confirmation brought Ger
many and the United States admit
tedly nearer to open hostilities than
ever since President Wilson broke
diplomatic relations with the kaiser
more than a week ago.
Onicials observed the act In the
light OF reports as constituting pos
sible omen affront.
II was considered another one Of
the rapidly-accruing infringements by
the central powers on American
rights. When officials insisted they
will await complete details, SO as to
be certain and deliberate any
move this government may take, they
openly admitted such acts as German
military officials in Belgium took In
the whitlock case, plainly show the
spirit and intent with which Germany
Is moving.
This latest case Is made more grave
officials said, In view Of the additional
information that whitlock is now re-
fused communication with his home
government, and American Belgium
relief workers are being detained"
Just what this detention amounts
to, is a question for the most serious
consideration.
While officials would not discuss
the case. II was hinted that AZ soon
as more facts are at hand, this gov
ernment may make peremptory do
mands upon Germany, probably
through the Swiss minister, to ex-
plain without delay.
Coming as the incident does on the
heels OF the sinking Of an American
vessel In the Mediterranean In vio-
latlon Of the law, as construed by
this government. heavy blows were
struck at the small lingering hope
that. hostillties between this country
and Germany might be averted,