AMERICA'S NOTE TO GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 5

AMERICA'S NOTE TO GERMANY

HOW IT WAS RECEIVED - APOLOGETIC REPLY FORESHADOWED By Telegraph—Press Association—CoDjrigiit i 1 , Paris, February 14. The -"Frankfurter Zeitung" states that President Wilson's Note to England does'not deserve to be called a protest.- "President Wilson," it says, "has one recipe for England, and another for Germany. A country which suj>plies our enemies with munitions of war, and theft prays for' peace, warns u's vainly."GERMAN NAVAL WRITER'S COMMENT. London, February 14. ■ Apropos of the spirit ill which Germany is likely to receive the American Note, the "Daily Mail" prints the latest utterance of Count von Reventlow, a well-known German naval _ expert, as, a contrast to the views of numerous Germans who maintain an inexplicable optimism about America. ' The Count says: ''I always expected American protests. and outbursts, and must expect even more vehement and threatening outbursts, The United States should clearly understand that these indignities and threats are a waste of words. Bismarck once said that an appeal to fear' finds no echo in the German heart, and least of all now, when the military, political, and economic Tesults and actions are being .weighed. The die is cast. "The American Press is apparently inquiring if Germany wants more enemies. I desire to call the attention of the American Press to the fact that this tone is entirely out of place when dealing with the German people. I can imagine that this is not a threat, bui in a-measitre the part tho United States is capable of taking to intimidate Germany and persuade her to abandon or' to modify her war against British trade off the British and Irish coasts." • BERLIN "OBVIOUSLY EMBARRASSED" BY THE NOTE. (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 14. A report from Amsterdam states that the 'American Note has obviously embarrassed the German authoritiesT The Chancellor (Herr von Bethmann-Holwegg), is expected to visit the Kaiser at the Eastern front, to discuss the German reply, which is believed fo be couched in apologetic terms, giving the United States a distinct pledge for the safety of American ships, on condition that America prohibits the use of her flags on belligerent ships.—(''Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) KAISER TO MEET UNITED STATES' AMBASSADOR GERMAN NEWSPAPERS HIGHLY EXCITED. (Rec. February 16, 0.40 a.m.) ■ 7 Copenhagen February 15. The Kaiser, on learning the news on his return to the East Prussian front, invited Mr. Gerard, the American Ambassador, to a conf.-rence at the Eastern' headquarters. The German newspapers without exccptiou are indignaut at the American Note, which is described as a gross breach of neutrality. The "Deutsche Tagb Zeitung" says that the German people will support the Government telling Washington to "Do what you like; we are ready. The safety of neutrals will be secured if you do as we say. Otherwise they will run great risks." .The "Lokal Anzeiger," referring to the "booing" at Mr. Gerird in a Berlin theatre on Tuesday, urges the Germans to exercise self-restraiut towards the Americans. The "National Zeitung" interviewed Mr. Gerard, and pointed out that an economic war with America would be fatal to Germany, which has invested millions in-America. The only possibility of a serious conflict would be the sinking of. an American ship. AN ITALIAN NOTE TO THE GERMANS "ILLEGITIMATE REPRISALS ON MERE SUPPOSITION." - t Rome, February 14. Italy, in a Note, lias made representation to Germany regarding the blockade. She reminds Germany that a belligerent's right is confined to ascertaining the nature and tho _ destination of cargo. ■ The Note adds: against ships on the mere supposition that a flag is being- abused aro illegitimate." DENMARK WARNED OFF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN COAST. (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 1-1. Copenhagen officially announces that Germany has notified tho Scandinavian Governments that no neutral fishing or sailing ships'will bo allowed off the Schleswig-Holstcin coast until further notice.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) . . . [The German territory of Schloswig-Holstein borders on Denmark, to which nation it formerly belonged. Tho Kiel Canal traverses the Grand Duchy, from Kiel Bay, in the Baltic, to tho Elbe Estuary.] Danish shipowners are paintinc on their ships liij; national flaps, on each side, with the word "Denmark ' in white letters, in tho middle,— ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) '

STEAMER CAPTAIN REWARDED, BY THE ADMIRALTY. (Rce. February 15, 7.15 p.m.) London, February 15. Tho Admiralty announces that Captain Proberfc, commander of t3i© steamer Laertes, has beon gazetted a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, and will receive the Distinguished Sorvico Cross. Each officer on board received a gold watch, and the members of the crew £3 each. [When the Ocoau Steam Shipping Company's steamer Laertes (4541 tons), was off the Mans lighthouse last weelt, she was sholled by the German submarine U2. Captain Probert raised the Dutch flag to protcct ma,ny neutral passengers, and then steamed at full speed and. cscaped, the submarine firing a torpedo at her fruitlessly.]