Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-02-02
GERMANY STARTS
SUBMARINE WAR
Unrestricted Campaign to BE
Waged Against Belligerent
Shipping-Last Effort to
Bring J. Bull to His Knees

Washington, Jan. 31-Germany has
declared unrestricted submarine war
fare.
A starvation blockade of England,
the like of which the world never has
seen, was announced today in notes
delivered to American Ambassador
Gerard in Berlin and to the State de-
partment here by Count Won Bern
storff.
Thus begins the long feared cam
paign of ruthlessncss conceived hy
Won Hindenberg, it is said here, on
magnitude never even contemplate
ed by Won Tirpitz.
Again the United States faces sev-
erance of diplomatic relations with
Germany with all its eventual possi-
bilities. President Wilson's repeated
warning of "world fire" and Secrc-
tary Lansing's "verge of war" state
ment are being recalled in the capi-
tai tonight with feelings of apprehcn-
sion and misgiving.
Germany's action is the Supercrisis
OF all those that have stirred the
American government in two and one
half years of world-war.
Talk of peace in Europe and of
means of preserving the peace of the
world has gone glmmering. Prcsi-
dent Wilson, incrcdulous ut first,
when the unofficial text of Ger
many's warning was brought to him.
ut once called for the official docu-
ment, which had just been presented
to Secretary Lansing by the German
ambassador. Mr.. Lansing refused to
absolutely make comment. Prcsi-
dent Wilson began at once careful
study of the document.
The President has the task of de-
Gliding what shall he the course of the
United States. Three Immediate steps
apnear among the possibilities:
The United States might solemnly
warn Germany against violation of
he rpledges.
1t might be decided tha the Ger
man warning is sufficient notice of an
intention ii disregard those pledges
and sufficient warrant for breaking
off diplomatic relations.
1t might be decided to await the re-
suits of the blockade and determine
the course of the United States as
the actual operations develop
On almost every side Gcrmany's
drastic action is interpreted MS nm
omen confession of the effectiveness of
the British food blockade 1t is re-
garded as determination to strike
back in kind. German officials i'm the
United States estimate the food sun
My on the British isles will last a
month.
Admittedly the plan is to carry
starvation to the door of England
with swift, staggering strokes as Il
fulfillment of Germany's announced
determination to use every weapon
and agency at her command to end
the war quickly. She counts on the
operations of an unheard of number
of submarines to deliver blows to
bring England to her knees within
siXtv davs. One German official here
predicted today war would be over
in n month.
swer to the refusal of the entente
allies to talk peace Germany's latest
warning says:
"From February /, 1917, within
barred zones around Great Britain
France. Italy and in the eastern Med
iterranenn all sea traffic forth
with will be opposed"
1t is virtually a renewal and an
extension of the celebrated submarine
blockade of the British isles proclaim
ed on February a, 1915, and which
became effective February 18, 1915.
Under it ships were sunk without
warning until Germany abandoned the
practice and gave her assurances in
he Sussex note to abide by interna-
tional law. The Lusitania, Falaba,
and scores of other ships were sunk
under the decree
American citizens and American
ships are warned from entering the
war zones. although certain precau-
tionary measures are suggested for
distinguishing American steamers not
carrying contraband, according to the
German list These conditions in al
most the same form were rejected
when proposed by Germany early in
the negotiations over the Lusitania.
At that time Germany proposed TO
guarantee immunity from attack to
certain specified passenger ships sail
ing on prescribed courses with
agreed distinguishing marks and car
ryiing contraband. President Wilson
rejected the proposal PROMPTLY, on the
ground that the United States was
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