Evening star., 1917-02-18
ruthless Subma-
rine activities is
approaching the
Tension Great
Among Neutrals.

Among Neutrals. appr appnu,.nns,.. ua.ns INC
The critical situation as exists be-
tween the United States and the CEN
trail powers has not been relieved in
the least during the past week-on the
other hand has grown more grave.
Germany was reported to have an
nounced her Willingness to alter in
some respects her policy of sinking all
vessels entering the prescribed block
ade zone about the British Isles and in
the Mediterranean, partially as means
to avoid open hostilities with the
United States. This claim proved to
be without foundation, however, for
Berlin emphatically and officially an
nounced that the submarine war would
go on irregardless of any action which
the United States or any other nation
might take.
War with the United States appar-
emily is not feared in Germany. At
least, 1t is believed there that the aid
that can be rendered by this country
TO the entente allies is of a decidedly
neglible character.
The fact that Germany persists in
her intentions is the fact predomi-
nantly important in so far as this
country is concerned. Dispatches
which have emarated from the Ger
man capital recently show that there
is unanimity of opinion that Germany
can win the war with the submarines
even though the United States is drawn
into the general struggle. Further
more, it is declared that but little
hope exists in official German circles
that final break with the United
States can be avoided, in view of the
iact that American ships and American
iives are sure to suffer if they persist
In following the American doctrine that
vessels flying the Stars and Stripes
cannot be denied the use of the high
seas IN going wherever they wish OF
course, the limits of the ordinary
blockade, such as is prescribed in The
I'aeuc conventions. are TO be respected
but the blockade which has been de-
c&rcc by Germany is declared in COM
pis,e violation of the wording and in
ter' Of international law and as a
consequence the American government
does rot feel that it should be binding.
'Ierf,:tny has been disturbed in re-
cen Gays by the announcement that
Aine:can vessels are bound for ports in
the zone of Germany's ruthless submarine
ActiVities. This is declared. in Berlin.
70 De tempting fate. and if these Ameri-
Gan Sesseis should suffer then the
United States is to be held to blame for
not preventing their sailings
Ihe latter attitude sheds light on the
ehtlre German purpose. II is known
Ri methods are just if they achieve
German victory. believes that the
threat OF widespread submarine ac-
tiVity VIII Keep the greater portion of
port lnasmuch as Great Britain and
hcr aliies are to a great extent de-
pendent upon neutral bottoms for the
transport of such supplies as they need
the hating, or even crippling of neutral
commerce is an end to be greatly de-
sired by the German government
should American vessels continuaIlv
defy danger and refuse to be intirni-
dated by the possible penalty of sink
ing, the effect on other neutral nations
VIII be of wholesome character and
where hundreds of vessels in these
countries have been kept at their piers
since Berlin'S announcement large
proportion of these will be released
II the German threat fails in the case
of the United States it may fail with
others, then
No Favors Likely it cannot be ex-
for American Ships. pc g e d that
viii he shown any favors. the case of
the Lyman NJ. Law. the schooner sunk
by the Austrians in the Mediterranean.
being Il fitting illustration.
The American government. according
to most reliable sources. is growing
bitter at the continued German insults
open or by inCendo. The feeling that
fast disappearing, ii is declared
Ia. UNs.A 2 <xft 81 vrsN