Newspapers / Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, … / Feb. 15, 1915, edition 1 / Page 1
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"KEEP OPEN THE LMTES" -4 "Keeping nen' hevllne of commil cation" Is neceiury -in Ml . in- war. Newspaper, ad vertislna: 1 the link for maintaining: lines' ofycommunl-. . cation with hundreds -who can be com municated with In no other way . v VOL. XCV ISO. .121. WILMINGTON, N.C 3102s DAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 15, 1915 whoe:number 13,91s. sh0-ers holiday; Tuesdaycloudy j I j? R 1) VS 1 HM VVV EASTPRgJSSM WORm WIDE INTEREST fyo Battles Developing, Out come of Which May be! of a Decisive Nature. RUSSIANS ARE READY Other Developments Oversha dowed by Intense Situa tion in Prussia. London. Feb. 14. TWO big bat- j ties, it is believed, already f have j becun. or will begin soon, on the ! Russian side of the East Prussian I frontier, and on the river Sereth, j in Bukowina. The Russians have withdrawn in East Prussia and in Bukowina. in the face of' superior German and Austrian armies, to concentrate and come into closer touch with their lines of communi cation. .J, The official reports make brief reference to the operations at these two extremes of the Eastern cmt. but what they do say indi cates that the Russians have reach ed the lines on which Grand Duke Nicholas has decided to give bat tle. ' ' - I ' The rest of the campaign in the' East, even the fighting in the Car pathians, is overshadowed by these greater events, on the result of .vhich both sides are staking much. The Germans claim a big victory in East Prussia and the "Austrians an nounce the Russian retirement , in Bu kowina with elation but apparently Pe trograd views these incidents without misgiving'. In the West there has been a con tinuation of heavy artillery bombard ments in which Rheims again has suf fered and several infantry attacks : in w hich both sides claim-, success- From unofficial sources comes the news from St. Mihiel, on the Meuse, w-hich the Germans have held so long, has come under fire of the French guns, which show that the French either have ad vn.i .1 in this region or have brought up Wavier guns in an effort to dislodge ihe Germans. . At sea the weather has been such that naval operations are out of the j question. The English coast has been i washed by tremendous seas for two days past and marly ships have, been "recked and considerable damage has been done at several ports. A good deal of interest is taken in he coming week's proceeds J of the British parliament for tomorrow David l.loyd George, chancellor . of the ex :'nequrr wiil make a statement on the financial arrangements between Great Britain, France and Russia and Win ston Spencer Churchill, first lord of the admiralty, will review the naval-situa- t'on. Later in the week debate will be continued on the increases in the cost of the necessaries of life about which . number of meetings have Tieen held throughout the country. 1 "Kl'SSUN FLANK NOT IN DANGER Croupation of Bnkowtna by Germans TJo-s not Threaten Position. fetrogrrul, Feb. 14 (via London). aissian staff officers today - asserted lat the occupation of the crown land ji Bukowina by Austro-German armies oes npt menace the Russian flank or 'e Hussian position around Lemburg. Russians maintain that mountain 'Jnges to ihe North and South render &t section of the country isolated and ; at th Russian positions in the Bes 'Kl ran?e on the south preclude ihe Possibility of a successful nttaclc. -- r;:mnr jmpla.teci evacuation of Lemburg have 'ought denials from the Russian gen- ''a' -staff. i Mnr nortJlern and northwestern pes of the entire Carpathian range " 'irun-;f ri to he controlled by Russian nJ?' c'vins them a key to the sit uaon in Eastern .Galicia. I, ta- J',lssians are reported ! to . have -cn the offensive at Mesolaborch. . s,vi,.'Uh,"v authorities admit the pos on t- y f an Austr-German attack mvr) e TIlussian Positions around Prze son'.' Tn the last few days the garri Da r m3de a number of sorties, ap-Hm- y a'nied at breaking the Russian Aust nfl formi8T a Junction with, the Iiinif13" nain force apprba!ching from 'ort and kutoviska;: Thup far the havc.' according to Russian sources, ... ' t1?p disastrous. - Tte-rtenxrr.tl t- j,avr s at aerial reconnoissance also In t y the besieged forces, nghti niountaln passed: where much thb r at cloee range. is taking place 'ine 'fern?ans have produced new fight-thrnv!- meB in the shape -r of . bomb il-rov and flre spouters. .The bomb :. .,;''r: hurl a 30-pound bomb 200 'o-V0 yards The otherwedntrivance -s ?f a tube through" which a fi:R;.'- 01 turning oil .fci forced for a1 n yards and which covers i. everything if touches. This Mr i"fa agamsf bavonet -chnre-eR ift bank of VisVnln rivp' 1 PlIU eiA AT . 11. . I L 'A'ihi tin ued oa Page Two.) IN DJiAWING Ambassador Gerard Invited to Confer With William. ON THE BATTLE FRONT Press Reports' to Thai Effect Are Read With Much Interest by Officials of the United States Govern ment at Washington. . Washington, Fb. 14. Press reports announcing that the German Emperor had invited Ambassador Gerard to con fer -with him at the battle front were read tonight, with keen interest by of ficials of the United States government. Aside from the indication that the Am erican note had produced an impression of supreme importance, it was thought the Emperor had decided on a confer ence so quickly because only four days remain before the German admirality's proclamation 'for a submarine campaign, on merchant ships goes into effect. In many quarters here it was sup posed that one of the chief purposes of the informal conference was to elicit from the "American government some understanding as to its positions re garding shipments of conditional con traband destined to Germany's civilian population.- The growing importance of this question was admitted on all' sides here, and there is every reason to believe It will be one of the chief points made by the United States in its next communication to Great Britain on the subject-of contraband. - The long supplementary reply, from the British -government : to the; Ameri can note "of protest of December 26 had would r. he ready? f or. their - perusal . to morrow. " : ' . :' -. -t . .. ' Vl? became .known today that Count Von Bernstorff, the German ambassa dor, pointed out to Secretary Brya yes terday that Germany desired to en courage American shipping. This was shown clearly by his government, the ambassador asserted, when shortly af ter the -beginning of the war -Germany expressed its willingness to accept the Declaration of London as the law qf the seas, applicable during the war. CAYJIEN'9 SSIONAHY MEETING TO DISCUSS EUROPEAN ' AVAR Gathering at Charlotte This Week Will Hear Prominent Speakers. Charlotte, N. G, Feb. 14. . The Eu ropean war and its effect oh mission work throughout the world will be the chief topic before the fourth general convention of the Laymen's Missionary Movement of the Southern Presbyterian Church, which will meet here Tuesday for a four days' session. John R. Mott, chairman of the com mittee, of the World5s Missionary Con ference, will present the European sit uation. Other speakers will include Rev. Egbert W. Smith, Nashville, Tenn.; Rev. W. R. Dodyns, St. Joseph, Mo.; Dr. William Martin, president of Davidson College, North Carolina, and moderator of the General Assembly; J. Campbell White, New York, and other prominent ministers and laymen and missionary representatives in foreign countries. ; After the close of the convention here speakers and delegates will go to Dal las, Texas, for a three days' session, beginning February -23rd. VOTE SELLING TRIALS NOT NEAR COMPLETED Two Hundred and Two Concluded -Rest Will Take Over Month. Pikesville, Ky., Feb. 14. Two hun dred and two cases have been disposed oMiere In trials of 800 men on charges of selling their votes in the last elec tion. - Even hundred, indictments were returned. ' - Ninety-six voters have- been fined and disfranchised, lb have been . acquitted, 59 have been dismissed on motion of the prosecuting attorney-and the oth er cases -called have been referred to the next grard Jury for action. Three women are under indictment charged "with? selling their votes in a school ' election. The trials . which will be resumed tomorrow,, are expected to consume a J month's more time. REPOPULATION OF FRANCE Academy of .Moral and " Political Sci- : . enee Takes Matter XJp. Paris, Feb. 14. The problem o re population in France is receiving the attention-of Academy of Moral and Po lolitical Science. ' Figures in the coun try during the past 20 years fell from 8S0.000 to 750,000. ' ' ' -The question was considered so vui that, it was suggested, that" important advantages should be accorded fathers of families bavins: numerous children an .it' wm suecestcd also that rthe J heads of such'.: families ,be allowed a recompense. t . :- - Cleveland, Ohio, Feb.14 The four story building of Aldrich, Howey &; Co.; furniture dealers, was destroyed and five other, buildings in the retail- dis trict were damaged by fire which start ed late: today from an explosion . of natural, gas. The damage exceeds $100,- 000. " ' ,: " Four persons were injured by the ex plosion"; VT : GERMAN EMPEROR i ASKS CONFERENCE FURTHER ACTION Claims He Alone Authorized to Receive Communications. OF DIPLOMATIC NATURE Action Sloans That Foreign Diplomats Would he Forced to 'Go to "Vera Cruz to Consult Him, Which ' They Will Not Do. Washington, Feb. 14. While no of ficial messages had been received today at the State Department or the Span ish embassy here as to the Spanish government's attitude toward General Carranza's expulsion of its minister from Mexico, press dispatches from Madrid indicating that, the matter would be adjusted through diplomatic channels were credited by officials. Another action of the Carranza gov ernment which may cause further com plications for the Mexico City diploma tic corps was taken 'today in the an nouncement that Carranza is personal ly solely authorized to receive and pass on diplomatic communications. This may seriously affect the diplomatic ac tivity of American consular agents in structed to deal with the de facto au thorities who ever tney may be. The order apparently will make it impossible for diplomatic representa tives to deal with the Carranza govern ment except by going to "Vera Cruz, which they have been unwilling to do, lest such action be construed as formal recognition. Appeal a Mistake. 7 . Reports of an appeal by Spain for joint action in Mexico were not regard ed here as accurate. Officials pointed out the Spanish government probably would consult te United States before taking such a step. It was believed not unlikely, however, that for the in formation of the powers of the world Spain would" communicate a statement of the circumstances under which the Spanish minister was deported. On' account of the severe' censorship established at Vera Cruz by General Carranza, little news, of the difficul ties t of f oreisrn- consuls ' and diplomats has heTv Permitted, to reach the United Staies7W ever,' that for some 'time barely-courteous relations have been maintained be7 tween' Carranza and the consuls df Spain and Great , Britain at Vera Cruz. Both the consuls , incurred Carranza's displeasure, because of their persist ency in -calling to-his attention what they considered unjust aggression to ward foreign property. The American consul at Vera Cruz, W. H. Canada, time and again has made representations to Carranza on the treatment of Spaniards. ( Recently, he was instructed to 'say that the De partment of State had learned of the shooting of seven Spaniards , at Apiz aico, and of another at a nearby town, j and to point out that a continuation of the policy t oi executing opamaras would" be regarded with keen displeas ure bjr the United States, which would place personal responsibility on Car ranza. Carranza's Latest Decree. ' Carranza's latest decree concerning foreign diplomatic representations was revealed today in a,, telegram from Ra fael Zubaran Capmany, minister of the - (Continued from Page One.) E ON WHEAT SHIPMENTS Urged as Price Reducer New York Commitee. by George W. Perkins, Chairman of Mayor Mitchell's Committee on Price of Food Makes Report and Urges Action. New. York,. Feb. 14. An immediate embargo on the exportation of wheat to prevent further bread price-increase is recommended in the report of . Mayor Mitchell's food committee, submitted by George W. Perkins, chairman, today. The opinion is expressed that if wheat exports continue at the present abnor mal rate,: the-price of bread will soar much higher Mayor Mitchell has forwarded the re port to President Wilson. ; , Withholding of wheat by. farmers for higher prices- and . speculation are blamed by Mr. Perkins for high prices. "In the sixmontfts since the war be gan, 'declares the report. "We have exported may million bushels more than we exported in the nreceding 3ft months, and the impression is abroad in-the land, that these large shipments to Europe have ' more- than - consumed our surplus and that our present sup ply is below our actual , needs. "In the " judgment of .this committee the situation is causing - farmers and middle men "to hold "their wheat -and causing all classes of speculators to be confident of higher prices V'Tour com mittee feels that the time has arrived for our FederaL government to state Whether' it Is in. favor of an immediate embargo, and if - not what conditions in its opinion would: have to arise 'to justify such action. I . "If the governament favors an em bargo the mere announcement to thZt effect, undoubtedly: would i bring out at present or at lpwep. prices much wheat which' is being withheld." MMEDIATE MBARGO EFFECT OF WAR OH N 0 N - COMBATANTS Belgium Has Lost Over 600, 000 in Population ROCKEFELLER REPORT Commission Sent Out by. Rockefeller Foundation to Investigate, Ef fect of Conflict on Nob- Com batants Report . New York, Feb, 14. The war has re duced Belgium's population by about 600,000 and . her condition presents a situation without parallel in history, says a report issued tonight by ' the Rockefeller Foundation from its war relief commission, sent to Belgium last November to investigate the effects of the war on non-combatants. , After detailing how : transportation, communication and banking exchange have been destroyed, commerce and in dustry parallyzed, homes and other buildings laid low, the agricultural dis tricts devasted and the food supply vir tually cut "off, th report says: "Yet if one is to understand the Bel gian problem, it is perhaps necessary to emphasize not the destitution of a few hundred thousand but the suddenly enforced inactivity of a strong and healthy nation of 7000,000." Of the destruction of home and prop erty, the report said: "We found people living in cellars under the ruins of -their homes, in lofts over the cow stalls and saw children that had been born in hen coops and pig. sties. In ,Vi there were 1,200 families. We did; not see a dozen houses standing. In Tremelco half of the houses were azed." Destruction of Stock The destruction of stock is of greater importance than the destruction - of houses, the report declares. Regarding the agricultural situa tion, the commission found that ' au tumn planting has been done somehow and ,that it is conceivable that Bel gium may continue to raise most of her own potatoes, fruits and fresh, vege tables. , -v- s - i ''In France, "said the. commission" we lund that it was cjearly the. policy of the; Qerrnan. occupation behind the flghtiQgt hues to , promote planting, of In connection with the destruction, of property the report says that no estimates can be obtained but that the total must be enormous. vThe commission found that the de struction of tools and implements can not be established. In smaller places and in some larger towns it appears that nearly all the remaining houses have been looted, the report says. The collapse of the banking exr change, . the commission found to be due to the fact that reserves of coin and negotiable securities were re moved in advance of the invasion. "Modern society obviously has evolv ed itself around a highly complex mechanism for transport communica tion and exchange. In Belgium this mechanism has been completely anni hilated. "Commerce and industry are thus at a standstill. The only trades people who do any business are those who sell food or clothing." In connection with the alleviating influences, the report 'concludes: "The disaster is shared by all. The emergency has summoned every cour ageous virtue into expression. Furth ermore the universality of the calamity automatically distributes the burden. There is a general moratorium for the very .poor". GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF TORPEDOING OF. SHIP Member of Crew of British Vessel Was American Arrives at New York. ' 'New York, Feb. 14. A first vhand story of the sinking of the British freighter Ikaria torpedoed by a Ger-i man submarine January 31 off Havre,' was told by Alfred Edwards, a mem ber of the 'Ikaria's crew who reached here today ' from Liverpool. Edwards' home is in. Philadelphia. "It 'was shortly after noon," said Edwards, "when we saw the submarine come - to the surface less than a mile distant. Her bow showed . the marks U-9. "The captain of the Ikaria apparent ly took the war craft for a British' or French . submarine for he , ran ;.up"the British flag. It was but a moment before the submarine sank from. view. "The ' next thing we saw a :, white Shape coming toward us just below the surface. . Then there" was a' crash, a tower of water, rose in the aid and the ship keeled over as she rose from the uplift. "All hands were ordered to the boats, but before we could launch them a sec ond explosion occurred and again the ship1 was lifted. One of the life boats was damaged and we were Compelled to launch a third. We were not mo lested in ' our boats. "When Struck we were only 15 miles off Havre, the sea was calm and we put for ihe coast and were picked up within an" hour by a French torpedo boat." WILL RELEASE WILHELMINA Representative of Company In Germany Confident of the Outcome. Berlin, Feb. J.i (via London). W. L. Brooking,1-head of the export depart ment of Willitm. T. Green & Co., of St. Louis, the concern which chartered the American steamship - Wilhelmina to carry, food from New York to Ger many, , declared toda yat . Mannheim (Baden) that 5 he fully expected, the British government to release the ship. The . Wilhelmina is now i detained at Falmouth. ; ' ( - Mr. Brooking "said the . German " gov ernment had guaranteed that the ves sel's cargo would be - used only for the civilian " population , DEMOCRATS PRESS THE CLOTURE RULE ' Administration Forces Begin on That Fight Today. BUT SIXTEEN DAYS LEFT ! If Amendment to the Rules Adopted ! Passage of Ship Purchase Bill .Will Be Made Possible by February 19. Washington, Feb. 14. Congress to morrow will enter on the last 16 days of the Sixty-third session bound in one of thei most extra6rdinary legislative tangles of its history a tangle so threatening that conservative major ity members in the Senate who have respected tlve hard aud fast rules of the deliberate body throughout the years have determined to try to break the fetters of unlimited debate. Amendments to the rules proposed would end the prolonged Republican filibuster against the government ship purchase bill and permit its" passage not later than February 19. Demo cratic leaders proposed tomorrow to press a cloture rule. Passage of such a rule, however, seems doubtful as Seriate Democrats are far from unanimous on the pro-, posal, notwithstanding that a Demo cratic caucus agreed to the programme last night. Seven Democrats who re volted against the ship purchase bill remained away from the party con ference and others are not satisfied that any cloture rule should be adopt ed. ' Such action would be unprece dented in Senate procedure. Real Fight on House. While the Senate is fighting out the plan to limit debate, the action on tihe ship bill itself will remain in the House, where it shifted last week. House Democrats .will caucus tomorrow night on the compromise Weeks-Gore ship bill and will probably reach a vote on the bill Tuesday. ' . Whatever the House does, Republi can senators insist they will continue their mrelenting opposition to the ship bill as long as the administration forces keep it before the Senate. Should, the bill be held up in the Senate to pass appropriation bills be fore March 4, some, senators think an vextra session may . be avoided, but members ofr Congress generallyi JobK to'r' apWar-sessioir'irr H.i-- The congestion of the big supply measures is unprecedented at a short session of Congress. The Senate has to pass 1J appropriation bills, involving hundreds of millions of dollars for the operation of the government and of these Ave have not been acted on by the House. House leaders who pressed the river and harbor will were gratified today over what they regarded as an assur ance that Senator Burton probably would not filibuster against this meas ure, in the Senate, as he did last year. Greenwich, Conn. ,Feb. 14. Seymour J. Hyde, a prominent manufacturer and a member of the firm of A. G. Hyde & Sons, of New York, cotton brokers, died at his home here tonight from injuries' sustained January 31 when he was thrown fron his horse. He was 54 years old. Lima, Peru, Feb, 14. The entire cab inet resigned today as. a. result of, the ministerial crisis which became acute at the end of last month when the introduction into conditions of the bud get brought, about a discussion of the country's finances. ; i LEGISLATURE IGNORES NEWBEI Carter-Abernethy Trouble is Quieting Down Representative Whitford Denies He In tended to Introduce Resolution In House in Interest of the So licitor. (Special Star Telegram.) Raleigh, N. C, Feb.. 14. -Representative Whitford, of Craven, who has been credited with planning to introduce in the Legislature .a resolution in the in terest . of solicitor , C. L. Abernethy, in the Judge Carter-Abernethy ' contempt "affair" says that he knows nothing about it; that he has just returned from Morganton, where" he .went with a legislative visiting committee from the Legislature and really knows nothing about the affair in the Newbern court and, that he has no such resolution and knows nothing of the preparation of one if .it exists. Solicitor Abernethy is expected here tonight and if .there is any plan for .a move -in the Legislature it would come from his : side . of . .the trouble.. - There seems not to .be the slightest possibil ity for the leaders in the ! Legislature, seriously considering any proposition to take cognizance of the affair. No one, is able to locate anything tangible regarding such a movement and the general disposition is to com pletely discredit it. L. E. Warren, chairman of the-State Democratic com mittee, who - came . In from Newbern said that the stir in Newbern has completely- quieted and , that the general opinion was that the judge and , the solicitor 3, were each unintentionally to blame to some extent for .the unsrtu nate developments. - But that: certainly there, is .nothing that , the Legislature could do in the matter . .x- -; W COURT AFFAIR BERLIN NEWSPAPER COMMENT IS UNFA VORABLE TO AMERICA INTERVIEW WITH DR. GERARD Berlin Newspaper Comment Friendly and Otherwise CLAIM U. S. NOT NEUTRAL Naval Expert on One Paper Says Wash- ington Government Does Not or Will Not Recognise German Declaration Berlin, Feb, M4. via London. Ber lin newspapers continue their comment on the American note concerning the German admiralty's sea war zone pro clamation. The editorials generally are friendly. Conspicuous exceptions however, are furnished by Die Post and the Tages Zeitung. "When something does not suit the Yankees," says Die Post,. "they are ac customed to adopt as threatening and as frightful a sabre-rattling tone as possible. They reckon that the person thus treated will be frightened and give in. If this "does not come to pass, however; if the person thus threatened replies with the strongest expressions and shows that he is not scared and will not let himself be driven into a state of funk, the swaggering Yankees calm themselves soon and quiet down". Charge of Favoritism Die Post complains that the United States did not protest against the Brit ish declaration of the North sea as war territory "that is to say, they are in benevolent agreement with England, but make a threatening protest against us. If tVe North American government would show Germany the same neu trality as is shown England, the eiir tire present note with its threatening tone would be superfluous". fc Count Ernest Reventlow, the naval expert in the Tages Zeitung, says the request of the United States that ships be searched before further action is taken against them shows "that the people in Washington do not or will not comprehend the meaning of ' the German measure". - "We have- so often demonstrated" Count Reyertlow :. continues, -the.- im OQftttrflitarv of search at we rnerely can r'eterftb dur"eariief "remarks'. Wash ington must know this, and therefore the demand 'of the note for a search and the establishing of identity of neu tral merchant men amounts de facro to non-recognition of the German de claration, respecting war territory. The Count repeats the German order, the declaration of which he declares is a considerate warning and adds: Of Secondary Importance "Whether it is regarded or protest ed against is of secondary importance". "If its consequences are depicted as in excusable" Count Reventlow con tinues," we may believe that the United States misjudges: its ground. Thetsame can be said Of the remarkable phrase in the note that the United States will see itself impelled to hold the German imperial government responsible for such action of its naval, authorities. One cannot escape the conclusion thai President Wilson.-and Secretary Bryan in their communications with the Mex ican pretenders and rebel leaders have accustomed themselves to a tone that is not suitable for communications with the German Empire". "The only way to preserve the ex isting relations between the German Empire and the United States," says Count Reventlow in conclusion "is ac tual American recognition of the Ger man war zone declaration and regard for the warning expressed therein". . The Vosslsche Zeitung says that while the searching of ships for con traband previously has been the ac knowledge procedure the entry of the submarine denotes a new factor in nayal warfare. t . New Factor in Naval Warfare "The submarine," it says, "runs a risk against armed merchantmen. Eng land has armed its merchantmen and advised them to carry false flags. , "Shall Germany in the face of such treacherous -measures throw down her arms because an American ship might possibly be wrongly torpedoed? The American note demands nothing else. "We desire to protect neutral com merce in the future as in the past, but we do not wish that neutrals carry on trade with England in certain articles". The protection of neutrals, the Voss- ische Zeitung continues, will be poss ible only if neutrals take care that their flag is respected by Great Britain. - The Lokal Anzeiger points out that only the United States among all the neutral countries has protected against the German declaration of a naval war zone. It admits the friendly nature of the note, but says: "All this cannot, alter the fact that we must characterize the standpoint Of the note as a mistaken one, since it does not take into consideration the naval situation . as it has developed without 'Germany's fault and since a much sharper note should' long ago have been sent to the British govern ment". . ' Germany's Course not Changed The Kreuz Zeitung declares that Germany's course will not be influenced by the American note, .r "Although the note demands invio lability of American citizens," the newspaper adds, "it is to be hoped this demand will not be extended to them if they are on ,board English ships. If, as reported, the Lusitania's pas sengers begged the Captain to hoist the - American flag Washington cannot wonder if this flag is not respected". The Hamburger Nachrichten says that nobody can demand that Gerihati .warships expose themselves to destruc tion through' consideration for neutrals. -i 'American merchant men, "the. Nach richten continues, "retain their right to sail 4n the "specified -waters or fo avoid them. If Washington assumes1 that the (Continued ; on Page Two.) German Paper Publishes Inter view With Dr. Gerard NO CAUSE FOR TROUBLE Scandinavian Paper Sayar Hostilities Between Germany and United States Not an Impossibility Hopes Germany Yeilds Berlin, Feb,14 via London The Irra tional Zeitung today published an in terview with James W. Gerard, Amer ican ambassador to Germany, concern ing the American note relative to neu tral shipping in the sea war zone re cently created by Germany. The am bassador was reported as saying the note is couched in such conciliatory and. friendly terms that he did not doubt it would have favorable result. He expressed regret at the sharp tone of some of the American and Ger man newspapers, but said he was sure this would not disturb friendly rela tions of the two countries. 'Why should Germany and the United States wage war on each other?" Dr. Gerard asked the interviewer. "There is not the slightest question of a con flict between them. Their interests op pose each other no where in the .world". The ambassador is also reported as asking how should such a war be waged since neither belligerent could engage the other effectively 'because of their, geographical positions. Asked concerning the attitude o German-Americans, Ambassador Oer ard is reported as having answered: Are Americans First "People in Germany are too readily disposed to believe that German-Americans would be first Germans and then Americans. American citizens of Germany birth flrst and foremost Americans and the same spirit is true of Irish-Americans" When asked concerning the sale of weapons to the Allied powers the am bassador called attention to the pro vision of the Hague convention which permited this- He expressed inability' to understand whv. after siV ' f .war, the United States houM;)ow De reprqachedUecause , of the - Bale of war munitions, When no objection lmd been raised as to its legality before. "Recently" said Ambassador Gerard, "the feeling appeared to be gaining ground in the United States that the sale of munitions -was "not fair" but he contended if the sharp tone of the German attacks upon this subject con tinued, there was danger that this feeling would he nipped. However,, he is quoted by the newspaper as saying public opinion in America naturally was most concerned by the possibility of an ' American ship being sunk by submarines. SCANDINAVIA USEASV Many Ships Headed for Denmark See . . Possibility of Another War London, Feb, 14. The Copenhagen Pblltiken commenting on the American note to Germany is quoted in a dis patch from the Danish capital to the Exchange Telegraph as saying that America is acting with all the energy which might be expected and her note contains a warning so grave that war between Germany 'and the United States can no longer be regarded as an impossibility. . "President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan" the Folitifcen says, "are peace-loving men, but public opinion in America and anti-German senti ment may drive them farther than they desire". - The newspaper continues: "Arnerica stands to win a lot merely by confiscating German ships how interned in American harbors. Germany has everything to loss, and it is earnest ly to be hoped that the American warn ing will not be without the desired ef fect in Berlin." Further dispatches say the German warning to neutral shipping has caused anxiety 'and suspense in Scandinavia' as there; are 150 steamers coming from over the seas. Denmark is expecting 62 vesself from the United States loaded with grain and fodder. The Scandinavian shipping confer ence, it is said, discussed the question of co-operation between the United States and Scandinavia, but the posi tions were so different that a combina tion was impossible. "E YE-WITNESS" SERIES - German Pnpers Publish Accounts of Recent Battles on Land and Sea Berlin, Feb, 14. German newspapers have commenced the' publication of a series of "eyerwitness" articles' on naval affairs, written by Otto Von Gottberg, the well known author. Of the battle of January 24th in which the German criiiser Bluecher was sunk. Von Gottberg, writing from in terviews with participants, mostly of ficers says the German squadron wn& made, up of the first class cruisers Bluecher, Seydlitz, Derfflinger, ami Moltke and Smaller cruiser, KolJei R Stralsund, Graudenz, and Rostock of which the last two were not engaged in I the actual-fighting, and torpedf craft. . The Kolberg was the first to sight the enemy, a small British cruiser ac companied by destroyers. The Kol berg immediately opened flre and noted that several of ." her shells made good hitsl . The . Kolberg received two Brit ish shots, neither of which did m.uch damage,' but three men were killed and two wounded. - . Whilei'the Kolberg steamed ahead to close Mlth the enemy her sister cruiser, the Strilsund, steaming farther to the right and a long distance .ahead of "the squadron, sighted the main body of tho British fleet and signalled. "Eight larg (Continued on- Pago Eight.) ' S-V -v . v,. '.; i..f $ M .iM." 1 A i !l r ; HA .1. I .1 1 t
Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Feb. 15, 1915, edition 1
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