North Carolina Newspapers

vol. XCV-CNO. 123. BLumsiz. kjt MKmaiv AWAITQ AfJQWFRQl MflRNIWR flnnPTm COAST AT EARLY DATE Germany's Proportion to Abandon War on Shipping presented by Page. WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Military Movements of Great est Importance Are 1 Taking Place. I Germans Continue Their Ad vance in East. ! London. February 16. l-'Tn the ibseiu-o jf any striking neWs!fro? the -( European batitej fronts, public auention in England today v,as centered on the threatened blockade of the British Isle's by (Jernian submarines and mines in retaliation for Great Britain act in prohibiting the carrying ofj food t(- Germany. , ( 1 Great Britain received today, ilirouah Ambassador Pag3 Ger. iiKiny's offer to withdraw! t hr threat ! a blockade, if thejBrit: i'sh.;iavy will per.mt the-frecj .ii-ve-m;: o. foodstuffs to the civil poiv ul;i! ion tj Germany. It is not believed here' ihe! offer will be aeeepted. In fact, Great Britain already is preparing to re taliate against Germany by plac insr under more stringent control ships destined to German ports, and ;i proclamation momentarily is expected, declaring a blockade of the German coast, or, ajt i any rate, the prohibition of foodstuffs destiued for Germanv. The cabi net t-onsidered thiapquestion today, and it is understood the decision is swaitinir "formal confirmation by the privy council. I - - shipping- 3Ioves Freely. In Hie meantime, British and neutral vessels are moving as freely as( usual, except those belonging to a few Dutch lines, which have reduced their number of sailings. Norwegian and Danish in- uranrf. companies have given instruc-fion:- that steamers insured by them all .have their national colors, the names of the ships and the country of their origin painted conspicuously on thf sides of all vessels. Hollan.l and Italy, like the United siiurs. have protested to i Germany Rmisi her sea war zone threat, and asked Great Britain not to make :.-r -,'. 0f neutral flags. Similar rep "seiiuuions are expected to be made to the two countries tomorrow in a joint note by Norway, Sweden arid" Den mark. 1 - 0;i the battlefields of Europe, mili tary movements of the first impprtance taking- place, especially in the East. The (Jerman offensive, strongly sup l'orteii by French troops, is being push nl with sieat vigor both along the east -russifiii frontier and in Poland, north of Lower Vistula. The Russians have evM i;atei ast Prussia except! . for a "'iiali aif a near Lyck, and also are ap iJarei.iiy failing back in North Poland, '' t!l Oerinans today announced the cmKaion of Plock and Bielsk, which l!" Uussians recaptured from them a snort time ago. Knssian Losses Heavy. the Germans seem to liave in-n-avy losses on the1 retreating ;'fmy, military men here arid Wh,i. f!i"tei ! t! J:ewspaper correspondents In Petro- oMtinue to refer to the i Musco "Ovrnent as a. st-rntee-ioal retire- vitf. m to the fortified line along the Nie 'eti ri-rr whiCn runs through Kovno, ''f'dno aurj lomzn. and thence south- "sl to lh v.sk. fortress of Novoe Georgi- fi Kb ting- continues in the Car -and Bukowina. In Bukowina ! uis also are falling back, but I'aihians "iinue to hold the Carpathian ..s f.:rther west and are lofferlng - -uuDorn r. resistance to the Austro- Ger- n,yil of; fusive in that region. Here the are fighting in deep snpw, and i . . . - 1 .rlf-K r.r-A t 1 Ti. ;vge number of troops the Ger-j-fn;. . usine in the East, military J--"'"-'- here believe will prevent for t'ni- t-.me any attempt by the Germans 'J,,r,;'k -e western deadlock. , -. 0, 1 !ir"J?h there have been no events hr 0lJ1 stmding importance 6n this nt :v long official report of tne Brit- from Nnvemher to th 'S'nni1!tr of February, issued todav. '!iOV that there is more or less aetiv- ihi if- The rep0rt says there has 1 ;t lot of trench fighting in which t!,r hr ... H:iis and British Territorials : '" more than justified the most bopes entertained ,of their "' 'be tiebj. t-'-'Jiitinued The report adds Fa ge Two.) . . . W IiElllCILIiyiEILy HOUSE EARLY THIS onISi - I-SI Forty M ;,hines Bombard Bel gian Te ns in German Hands ALL RETURN SAFELY Gun Positions, Mine Layers and Sweep i "Supply Trains and Other German Positions Attacked --. With Bombs: from Air London, Feb," 16: The air wing of the British: navy today made another massed attack on the German position along the Belgian coast in an effort to destroy or damage the submarine base at Zeebrugge, the guns at Ostend and Middelkerke and the Ghistelles aer drome. ' According "to the official report, good results were attained Forty machines i were utilized. While the British airmen were drop ping their .bombs on the gun positions and the supply trains, barges and trawlers used in mine laying and mine sweeping operations, eight French air men attacked the Ghistelles aerdrome preventing the German airinen from making an attempt to cut off the Brit ish machines. The .official statement about the raid, said: ! ""The fair "operations of the naval wing against the Bruges, Ostend arid Zeebrugge1 district, were continued this afternoon: Forty aeroplanes and sea planes bombarded Ostend, Moddelkerke Ghistellesand Zebrugge. ; "Bombs were, dropped onj the heavy batteries5 bri?5 -th:i ettst'-hd" west - snTe 'of Ostend, on. gun position at Middel kerke, on "transport ' wagons on .the Ostend Ghistelles Road, on the Mole at Zebrugge, to widen the breach damaged in former attacks, on the locks at Zeebrugge," on barges outside Blanken berghe, and on" trawlers outside .Zeb rugge. "Eight French aeroplanes assisted the naval machines by making vigor ous attacks on the Ghistelles aerdrome effectively preventing German air craft -from cutting off our machines! It is reported that good results were obtained. , " "Instructions are always issued to confine attacks to points of military the nymg omcers to avoia aroppmg bombs on any residential portions of towns,' ' . The official report makes no mention of the airmen engaged, so it is pre sumed they all returned safely. The day whs bright and clear and condi tions being ; more last week's raid. favorable than for SHIPS AND GARGOESJfl DANGER Two Score Near War Zone- , Three From Wilmington. Twenty-Seven Vessels from Port of Kew YorK Will Reach Zone on or After the Eighteenth Four are American Owned New York, Feb, 1 S.--Twenty-seven steamers from this ort, maritime re cords show, are due to be within the war 'zone declared by Germany oh and after- February -18, the day set to es tablish the zone. Four of these ships are American owned and fly the Amer ican" flag, and five carry passengers. The four American . ships are . the Surnga., for Gothenburg; the Cushing for Cophenhagan, the Kahsan for Lon don and the Philadelphia, of the Amer ican Line, a passenger-carrying ship, for Liverpool. t' ' ' ; . The four other vessels carrying pas sengers are the Adriatic British of the White Star Line, " which should reach Liverpool late on the18th or on the morning of the 19th; the Norwegian steamer Bergensford for Bergen; the Cunarder Orduna, British, due at Liver-, pool about February 25 and the French liner Niagara which sailed Sunday for Havre. ' . -'' - ' ' , ' All the vessels were heavily laden with freight. The Philadelphia carried 250 passengers, and, the Adriatic 400 and the other three . liners had fewer passengers i aboard. - - ; j- Ships froni Wilmington Three vessels sailing from Wilmingr rovonttv 'ara'i'due, to be near the new war zone, on pr about the ,18th or this month. Only, two ot tnese .ve o, uiriv to nass directly through the waters' named in the recent proclama - r?rnttnued on .' Page Two.) - ' WY IEH WIMISTGTOK, K. niiniiu niiuiiLiiui muiimiiu uuui ilu No Further Move Made in Diplomatic Controversy ENGLAND AND GERMANY Realising the Gravity of Situation Offi cials at Washington Refrain from Commenting- as to Next Move or Plans. 9 Washington, Feb. 16. The United, States made no further move today in the diplomatic controversy with Great Britain and Germany over the use of neutral flags, the submarine campaign on merchant men and the shipment of foodstuffs to Germany.. Officials await ed formal replies from Great Britain and Germany to the recent Airierican notes on the subject. ' Ambassador Page,, at London, and Ambassador Gerard, at Berlin, sent dispatches to the State Department telling of informal conferences .with the hifh ofMrlals of Great Britain and Germany, iesiectively, but did not in dicate that the former intended to al ter its policy . on shipments of condi-; 1 tonal contraband to civilians, or that the latter would recede from its an nounced intention of waging a subma rine war on enemy merchant ships. ' Ambassador Gerard reported that German officials were friendly and dis posed to tatce into consideration tne embariassnient of the United States and other neutrals in the situation. hllo awaiting answers to the var ious Anse'ican communications high officials here, :dn;jtting the gravity of the -diplomatic situation, were, disin clined to discuss future steps or policy. Many Difficulties. One suggestion of t'he German government- that American organizations or consular officers fcupervi.se the dis tribution of foodstuff us a guarantee of its delivery to civilians seems to be set with more difficulties than were originally evident. While making it clear such a procedure could be. under taken by the United States only with the acquiescence of all the belliger ents. , The situation in Belgium and in Ger many proper were in this respect held by State Department officials to be analogous, it was revealed, however, th.t .bej&re iniao;clc4a American organizations jjverp penmi- . ted to supervise food distribution in Belgium, ' the consent of Germany as well as Great Britain had to be ob tained. For a neutral government to assist the civilian population of a ftel ligerent to obtain supplies without the consent of the other belligerents would be unneutral, according - to ' American officials.- - But while the situation presents many difficulties, officials are Still hope ful that an understanding on the ques tion of foodstuffs will be '- reached which may avert the necessity which Germany declares will ensue for mak ing war on enemy merchant ships. The British government has made its position cleat on he principles under xi'-hlr-li r-nViflit'nnjil fOTitraband will not civilians in an enemy country; yhile the German Roverament has stated that if it can get a food supply for its civilian population. -It .will recede from its sub-; marinr campaign. 'Chose docJ:i?atlp:is contain no con currence of views, but officials. Say there is always the possibility that through the good .oflicee of an interme diary a common grouru'i for an under standing may oe reached. In this connection the British sifple mentary ncte,. replying to the Ameri can note i of protest about contraband anu shipping generally wps laid before President Wilson todiy. It contains a i5ngil;y arivn en! or, -vhe subject of Airisrican h:?jj''-ifl qurt concludes with observations on the. subject of condi tional contraband and the decree tak ing over the supply of flour in Ger many by the government. RUSSIANS BADLY DEFEATED. IiOsse's Sustained .Will Reach Fully 50. OOO Men, ia Report. Berlin, Feb, 16. By wireless, London- Reports from the. Carpathian mountains to the PesterlLloyd of Buda pest, Hungary, says ithe .Austro-Hun-garians were everywhere 'successful in their offensive movement in. Dukla Pass.. - . Tire total losses of the Russians in the Dukla Pass battles in the past two days, tlfese" reports say, were at least 50,000 men killed or wounded. In a single attack the - retreating Russians left 1,200 dead on the field. MAD GRAS IS OVER Holiday Observed at New Orleans , on " i .,' JjMt Day New Orleans, : Feb, 16 Mardi Gras Day, marking, the end of the reign of Rex, King of; the Carnival of 1915 was observed here today by a' general sus pension of business. The cotton exr change and all banks were closed while the , postofflce for the first time In the history of the: cantval it "was. said, was operated under Sunday rules, remain ing closed the greater part of the day. " Traffic in -the morning with the ex ception of the Rex Pacade, was suspend ed on several blocks oh Canal street and the .thoroughfare was given over to hundreds 'of, mery makers in fan tastic -costumes. .'-'.--. . The eelebration ended tonight . with the parade of the KreWe of Ctfmusiand the Rex and COmus balls at the Athen aeum and the French opera'' noisees.- Paris, Feb. 16. By ' official order, Mardi Gras was-celebrated publicly no where In France today". In most house holds the day was celebrated, but less pretentiously than' usual..; - New -York, February 16.' The trial of. Harry K. Thaw, on charge of con spiracy, was set today fort March. 1. It previously had been set for February 23. WBDKESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 17, 1915 COMPROMISE BILL : ; cA Filibuster by Republican Lea der Mann of no Avail Big Majority. NOW GOES TO SENATE Fourteen Hour Straggle Concluded With Vote of Two Hundred and Fifteen to One Hundred and Fotr in Faor of Bill Washington, Feb, 17. The Govern ment ship.' purchase bill, as an amend ment, to the Weeks Naval Auxliary bill, was passed by the House of Represen tatives at 1:20 o'clock this morning by a vote of? 215 to-''104. The passage of the bill followed a 14 hour parliamentary struggle which, until long, a-fter midnight threatened to extend interminably because of a determined filibuster " directed by Minority Leader Mann who yielded only after administration leaders decided to apply a second special rule to bring the fight to an end. MUST BE3 PASSED SOON Leaders in Both Houses Realize That ' Flg-fit Is Coming: to a Head '. Washington, Feb, 16. Democratic leaders in both Houses of Congress agreed tonight that, the government ship nuryhase bill either would be be fore .President Wilson;, for his signa ture within a few days or dead, so far as this "session is concerned. The House remained in session late tonight to pass the Weeks-Gore bill as the amended measure is-Jkhown and to morrow the administration forces wlU begin a final effort to feet a vote in the Senate- on the ! House amendments over the opposition of Republicans and revolting .Democrats. Majory leaders spoke confidently today of. the prospect of victory and PresidentrKWilson, after a; conference! with ,$enator Kernf toldi callers . the be paaV n both Slttes OT-.the caDttoI uelle was current that if present plans for prompt action, in the Senate fell through the ship bill would be aband oned and-all efforts centered upon dis posing, of appropriation bills to make unnecessary an extra session. ' Wehb FaVora Bill. ReprsentativeWebb, of North Caro lina, opening debate for the bill in the House, declared that the United States was new confronted with the "greatest oppoitunity that any nation ever found in foreign ' commerce." "It seems to me that at one en dof this Capitol they are fiddling while Rome burns,". he added. He said gov ernment ownership "had no terrors" for him, citing tire activities of the govern ment in the Philippines, the Panama railroad and the A lasl: an railroad to show that . the United States already was in private business. Debate in vhe House proceeded slow ly tlirougl.out the afternoon and even-, ing, halted time ftr.d again by roll calls demanded by Republican Leader Mann. When the. bill had been before the (Continued on . Page Two.) . Trouble Still Brewing Between Carranza and Diplomats. MUST GO TO VERA CRUZ Newspapers at Seat of Carranxa's Gov ernment Publish Articles I7r--f ngr Move to Vera Crua or Leave the Country . Washington, Feb, 16. Further in dications of -frietron between Carranza officials and diplomats in Mexico City were contained in Official advices today to the State Department. In Vera Cruz, seat of the Carraiiza government, sev eral newspapers were, said to" have printed : articles intimating that the diplomats should transfer their activi ties to Vera Cruz or leave the .republic. Secretary Bryan said he did not in- terpret Carranza s order that all dip lomatic intercourse must be transacted with him i personally as preventing American . consul Silliman and other foreign ministers from remaining in Mexico City, and dealing with General Obregon lon non-diplomatic business. He said !: that if . business arose that could not" be transacted with Carranza's subordinates, Consul Canada- at Vera Cruz for the. purpose. The Secretary suggested that other governments might follow a:,similar course. ' Reports to the State 'Department to day said Carranza forces evacuated Guadalajara. February 14 without fight ing and that Villaf was following them toward the Pacific coast.. ;' The Carranza "agency ;in"; Washington gave out; a telegram tonight from Gen eral. Carranza saying, he would "be pleased to receive Duval West, recently appointed as one of President Wilson's personal representatives - m , Mexico MORE FRICTION AT MEXICAN CAPITAL COOPER FURNISHES GINGER IN SENATE . . -. . .- . Withdraws Note v Collection Bill, After Breezy Debate. SCHOOL BILL IS PASSED But Cannot Get Through House Bill to Tax Debtors 10 Per Cent f or ' Forced' Collections Given , Grilling ' (Special Star Telegram) ' Raleigh. N. C, Feb, 16. Two of Sena tor Cooper's bills, one to substitute Cuthbert Martin for J. O. Carr on the New Hanover School board and the other to tax debtors with attorney's percentage on forced collections, fur nished the ginger and, indeed, the sen sation of the day in the Senate. The school bill passed as a senatorial court esy with no possibility of its passing the House and the percentage bill was cuffed about unmercifully until its au thor lodged the motion, whieh carried, that it be tabled. t . Senator Cooper's bill to appoint Cuth bert Martin was opposed by Senator Giles, when Senator Ward moved that the bill be held up so that outside re commendations might prevail. The mo tion was ruled out of order. The bill passed, second reading, and then Sen ator Giles said he was forced to make a statement, that the matter was threshed out before the Senate com mittee, when Senator Cooper agreed to. withdraw his bill. The senator said he had petitions from a large number of Wilmington people asking that Sen ator Cooper be not allowed to do what he 'is trying to do. He said the peo ple of Wilmington want to (be hed. The petition presented was against "any change", specifying Senator Cooper's purpose. Senator Cooper said the petition con tains 162 'names, was gotten up by a man who fought him in the primaries and .who voted against hirii in the gen eral election and he was informed voted for the Republican candidate. Senator Giles said Senator . Cooper should not make wild statements with out knowing the facts. He held up a large.. rolL--.'of , signatures. He wanted a chance to state bis position, and. ' he waahrn;; tftjat . .a, .m'em&erof .the Senate "was "afraidt' ;to" aJ8ow & ift to go before the." "edriimittee. Senator Cooper disclaimed any fear of such a course, but declared Mr. Stacy had rushed his bill through the House and he wanted similar privilege. The chair ruled discussion out of order and the bill was passed on its third reading. Senator Ward made the- statement that an agreement had been reached and that thip educational authorities would place the name of the new mem ber in the omnibus bill. ' . - Note Collection Bill When Senator Cooper's bill to provide for collection of attorneys' fees in forced collections came up, it was, op posed by Haymore,-Republican leader, on . the ground 'that. tit added the sum not exceeding ten percent to be collect ed out . of the , debtor. He. thought It unjust and "unconstitutional. Senator-CoSoper said it if as simply a provision in,, contracts so. that the per son who lends -money will not have to lose more than the original amount when forced to employ a lawyer to collect. He said it "must be, expressly stipulated in the contract tnat the bor rower in event of -forced collection will yap the. lawyers fee. . " ". " Senator McMichael declared that the bill was another effort to take advant age of the debtor class and to charge usury. Hedeclared that the tendency of the -times is to oppress the debtor class, and such legislation as this makes it -harder for the poor man? Senator Speiglft agreed with Senator McMichael and said . 'you need not worry about the money lender." Senator Muse, said the bill was a fln bill for lawyers, a fine bill for note sharers and a splendid bill for money lenders, but as this class -compose a very small part of; his constituents he was against the bill. Senator White thought the bill would result in untold hardship, Time mer chants would turn their bills over to two-by-four lawyers and the law would be a machine of oppression. Senator Ward thought the bill would help the shark to eat up the small man. It vfould be a cover for usury. The general objects in view were all right, but great misuse would result. Others grilled the bill. Senator Gilliam came to Senator Cooper's aid and said Senator Cooper introduced the bill on account of his personal convictions and did not want to urge it on the Senate. Cooper on Wilmington Bills. Senator, Cooner says, that before in troducing his BilLto extend the orpo rate limits - ne made it provide 'for the retention of Point Peter in the corpo rate limits, . although he had told Mr. Stacy that he ".would, riot, do this. There fore the only difference in his bill and Mr. Stacy's is that Stacy names the ad ditional member of the Council and his would" leave the selection of this coun cilman to the present City Council. Senator Cooper says that "he will give every aid Ju the passage of the new managerial form charter bill as he wants ths peopie of Wilmington to vote on it and have it, if they -want" it. SCANDINAVIANS OBJECT. Small Power ; Will -t- Send ; Combined Note to Ena-land and Germany. ' Copenhagen, via London,' Feb. 11. The Danish, Norwegian ;and Swedish governments -have agreed, following negotiationh with . Stockholm, to make representations to the British and Ger man governments Hto the former on the dangers? threatening Scandinavian ship ping through . the use of neutral flags by British ships, and to Germany on the dangers that will result from the en forcement of her military zone around the British Isles. The notes of the three governmetns will be identical. " 1 ' GERMA N OFFICER GIVES REASON FpRWARZONt AROUND BRITISH ISLES FOREIGN MARKETS ARE DEMORALIZED International Bankers May Hold Meeting Soon. TO READJUST MATTERS Situation Largely the Outcome of Increasing- Exports from 'This Coun- try Scarcity ot Gold in Inter- ,. national Payments New York, Feb, 16. Demoralization in foreign exchange markets has af fected the big financial interests to such an extent that a meeting of in ternational bankers may be called soon to - re-adjust conditions, financial ex perts said today. Sight drafts on London sold down to 4.79 a pound sterling today, the lowest in a generation, but recovered before the end of the market session. The drop in exchange was followed by an nouncement of another small importa tion of gold $2,50,000 that, amount having been released by the Bank of England from the large sum now to its credit in Ottawa Exchange between New York and most parts of continental Europe, while less unsettled than at London, pointed to acute strain. Francs, reichs marks and lires were quoted at in creased discounts ana some conserva tive banks and banking houses declined to engage in any actual transactions. Cause of Situation The situation is largely the out growth of thfe country's heavy extra ex ports to Europe. d In the first four months .of i '.jwar shlppientS , of war m"aferl!sisU-ifi 000 'and 'according to trustworthy ac counts they have passed the $100,000, 000 mark now. -1 This does not- include the enormous export " of foodstuff s and other-com-modities which have gone out In un precedented "volume since the begin ning of 1915. - Except in" instances where credits had been established here payment for these exports was made in pounds sterling, francs, marks and other for eign moneys. These bills are now pressing on the exchange market and their extent, coupled' with England's refusal to release gold in sufficient quantity to meet demand, have' been the primary facetors in depreciating rates. The situation lias put all for eign gold at a premium. , The market has become so deranged that a number of contractors and other exporters of supplies, "it is stated, have deeided to demand future payments in dollars. This plan will necessitate the ;placing of additional credits in this country by foreign governments and individuals. The British and . Russian governments have established such credits, but amounts available are said to be inadequate. CRAVEN BAR V ACTION BYLE6 1 SLATU RE Adopts Resolution as to Carter-Abernethy Controversy. Newbern Lawyers and Court Officials Sigrn Resolution Praising Work and Demeanor of Judge--Committee to Raleigh. (Special Star Telegram.) Raleigh. N. C, Feb. 16. Solicitor C. Li. 4fenethy " arrived this morning f ribnft ;-' Newbern and, chafing under the j contempt -rule imposed upon him last week by Judge Frank Carter at New bern, is talking to the members of the Legislature. At the time there is a mul tiplication, of talk of the possibility of puctirig through the House a bill for a jgeneral investigation of Judge Carter. It is clearly manifest that if friends of ' Abernethy conclude that such a movement can be" carried through, at least the humiliation of the provision for thi investigation will be put upon him whether the findings in the inves tigation should be against the -judge or not. . ; i" The general impression seems,-however, to be that the House would not vote for the investigation. While, the legislative work is multiplying, rapidly now, members not finding much time to talk about the matter. - Newbern, N. C," Feb. 16. The latest development in the Judge Frank Carter-Solicitor Abernethy' case which, has attracted-Skate-wide interest, occurred today when the Craven county bar met and passed a resolution "requesting that the Legislature take no actfon in re gard to the matter as it has been re ported it; is about to do. In addition to this set of resolutions passed, a num ber of the members of the bar and offl , .j Cnntinued on Pare KisrhLJ ' :, " HSI WHOLE NUMBER 13,914. Admiral Behncke Explains Move to Naval Attache of American Legation WILL END WAR SOONER If Submarine Operations A gainst British Commerce Prove Successful Suggests Battleship Convoy for American Vessels Berlin, Feb. 16, (By wireless to Say ville) Germany's purpose. in declaring a sea war zone around the British Isles is explained at length in a statement made by Admiral Behncke, of the ma rine department, and , transmitted to Lieut. Com. Walter R. Gherardl, naval attache of the American embassy. It is given out officially as follows: "Up to the present time' Germany in. the war at sea has followed the Loa-' don Declaration, or the stipulations of this Paris treaty oh which the conduct of war on the sea had been based be- ' -' fore the London Declaration.-. "In waging this commercial war- ' fare, England had in view the subjuga tion of Germany by starvation. Ger many in every way had sought to bring the attention of the neutral powers and all others to the necessity she was un der to obtain food for her civilion pop- . ulation which was her right under the ' laws of war. No results could be ob- T tained from her efforts. . In Need of Food. "Since the shutting off of food sup plies had now come to a point where Germany no longer had sufficient food to feed her people, it became necessary for her to , bring England to terms through force. Germany knows . that by the- use of the submarine. England v can be placed in a position where food .will be; lacking.; Her life fts a :ta.ti0u4 amli Iivea putting this c:tmpVign intp action, and she'must'do so.' - " -; - j ' J ,v . "The 'difficulties in the-way of this campaign have been largely connected with the care which, it is desired to give to neutr&l ships and to the lives of those on board ail commercial ships, whether neutral or belonging to the enemy. v ' "Birst. Ia arming her merchant ships with guns for self-defense Eng land adopted a policy against which Germans strongly protest. The United States took the British point of view. Submarines cannot approach British merchant ?h:ps and make examinations without exposing themselves. "'Seccnd. England has advised . the British merchant fleet to fly neutral flags to cover up names and change stacks to escape the consequences of their nationality. This plan was design- ed to bring Germany into conflict with other nations. ' No Desire, to Harm. "Germany does not wish to harm American or other neutral ships or their cargoes unless carrying contraband- She is,' however, in a position where her life depends upon her, put ting into effect the only means she haa of saving herself. She must and will use this means. "Commanding officers of submarines have been ordered to make every effort to safeguard neutrals. In spite of the precautions the possibility was noted that neutral ships through error of at tack might be destroyed. For this rea son a strong warning was issued. "In addition, the English coast has been mined by the British themselves for protective reasons, and would be mined by the Germans as an act of of fensive warfare. Ships were therefor -in daiiger from mines. "In feplte of the great effect the ad miralty staff feel the use of the subma rines will have in bringing the war to a rapid close, the admiralty do not wi.-ih to put it into effect, to the detri nlent of neutral commerce and the. rights of nations on the high seas. They therefore have stated that if Great Britain will abide by the Declaration of London or by the Treaty of Paris, where food supplies for the civil popu lation .can be freely brought into Ger many, the whole matter of a submarine blockade will be -dropped by Germany." Free Passage Denied. ' AdmiraljBehncke called Commander Glerardi; attention to the fact thai when Great Britain closed the North Sea she did not give free passage to American ships bound for the neutral country of Holland, but compelled the ships to pass throuyh certain channels, take'ar English pilcit aboard and un- ' dergo a sea rch for contraband of wai at the hands of oltiocrs of British war ships. Admiral Behncke then said that Ger- ' many- was prepared to suggest to the United States an even freer and safer method of passage for American ships bound either through the channel or tc English . ports namely, that several American warships should wait in -some port on the southwest coast of Ireland, and when communicated with by wireless by an American merchant man one snovlc; proceed to the place in dicated, anil convoy the merchantman through that portion of the sea which Germany following the example of Great Britain, has declared to be dan gerous. ' v V . " Sntriztnim Convoy. ."Of course," said the admiral, "ships urfder convoy, by the rules of interna tional law, are not subject to search, but i.he country to which they belong is,.' upon-its honor, as it were, -to sea , that they do not carry contraband of war. ' " .' '- - ' V:; y American warships have distinctive ;' mastavand either by night or day they J . (Continued on Page Two.) 3 MS is