UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1917, Page 5

UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINING.

A CRISIS PENDING. AMERICA'S DRASTIC ACTION'. BKIiNSTORFF GIVEN HIS PASSPORTS. Ottawa, Feb. 1. It is learned from an excellent official source that President Wilson has delivered his passports to Count Bcrnstorlf. SIGNIFICANT MEASURES. PREVENTING ESCAPTC OF GERMAN LINERS. New. York, Feb. 1. The port has been re-opened, but may be closed again to-night, presumably to prevent (ierman liners escaping in the darkness. 'I lie German freighter Liebenfels mysteriously sank at her berth at Charleston, South Carolina, in 40 feet of water. Assistance was declined. The State Department announces that passports will not be issued to Americans leaving for Europe for the present. There, is no explanation o? the action. Some interpret it as the forerunner of a diplomatic break, others that Mr. Wilson may modify his policy The President is silent.

TEXT OF GERMAN NOTE. BARRED ZONES DEFIXED. New York, Jan. 31. The memorandum annexed to the Note points out that neutral ships will enter the harm! 7.01, i..» at their own risk after February 1. The zones are defined as follows: In the North Sea, the districts around England and France which are limited by a line, of twenty sea miles, the district a Ion;; the Dutch coast to Tersehelling fireliiip, the degrcee of longitude from Tersehelling fireship to Udir, a line thence across to a point (12 degrees north latitude and 5 degrees west longitude to (il degrees north latitude and 15 degrees west longitude, thence from 5, degrees west longitude, thence from 57 nest longitude until 47 degrees north latitude, 13 degrees west longitude, thence along latitude 43 degrees north until 20 sea miles from Cape Finisterre, and at 20 sea miles distance along the Spanish coast until the French frontier is reached.

A week's grace is allowed ships already en route.

The area of the barred zone outlined in the Note includes the Atlantic to a point 400 miles west of Ireland, arid extends from a point .'IOO miles west of Cnnc Vinisterre to 200 miles west of the Faroe Islands, all the western por-. tion of the North Sea,, and all tllf Mediterranean.

There (ire narrow safety zones across tilt Atlantic and through the Mediterranean.

THREAD-WORN GERMAN GAG. The text of the German Note states, inter alia, that Germany and her Allies were ready to enter peace negotiations and had indicated guarantees of their existence, honor, and liberty as the basis. Their plans, as stated on December 12, did not aim at the destruction or annihilation of thetr adversaries and were compatible with the, rights of other nations. " ' The annexation of Belgium had never been Germany's intention. Germany merely wanted to take precautionary measures in OTdcr that Belgium should not be exploited by her adversaries for the- promotion of hostile attempts. Such precautions were urgently needed as the enemy, especially at the Paris Confer-' ence, declared the unveiled intention, even after restoring peace, to continue a systematic, trade fight. The attempt of the Central Powers towards peace failed because of their adversaries' lust for conquest. Their war aims were designed to dishonor Germany, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria. Their adversaries wanted to fight to the last.

It was thus the new situation which had forced Germany to a new decision. For 2i years England had misused politics, and then her navy in an attemptto force the Central Powers into subjection. England had prohibited Germany's legitimate trade and even injured the fortunte of neutral States. America knew the means taken in order to induce England to observe tli£ laws of nations and to respect the freedom of the ocean, but the English Government persisted in the war of starvation, which did not touch Germany's military .strength, but forced women, children, the sick and aged to suffer painful privations, which were endangering the national vitality. A TRAP FOR THE UNWARY. Referring to the barred shipping zone, the Note states:—Neutrals iiow in port in the barred zones can with safety abandon the zones if they sail before February 5, taking the shortest route to open districts. The traffic of regular American passenger ships can continue unmolested if Falmouth is their port of destination. They must keep to the reserved safety lanes and carry prominent distinctive marks and flags, which must be illuminated at night.. One steamer each week may run in each direction, arriving at Falmouth on Sundays and leaving on Wednesdays if guarantees are given by the American Government that those steamers will not carry contraband, according to Germany's list of contraband.

SITUATION CRITICAL. PANIC ON WALL STREET; Washington, Feb. 1. The situation is still most critical, Messrs. Wilson and Lansing conferred for nn hour. Mr. Lansing declined to make a statement. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, British Ambassador, called at the State Department. He was much concerned for ships now at sea, owing to the fact that it is estimated there are 2000 Americans approaching the danger none. Several ships decided not to leave New York I and other pending a Government umoaneMßnv