Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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New Order issued by German Government. Galls for the Sinking: of All Vessels Bound for Entente Ports. Plan is to Starve Out England and Her Allies in Retaliation f c r Blockade of German Coast. President Wilson Undecided on Course, but Breach of Relations With Germany Seems Inevitable. Washington, Jan. 31.?President Wilson went to bed at 11 o'clock to? night after spending the evening alone in his study with a copy of the Ger? man note. This apparently disposed of suggestions that some action might be taken before morning. The president saw no callers but la understood to have used the tele? phone freely. As far as could he learned no plans have been laid for him to go before congress, as ho did to announce the sending of the Sus? sex note threatening to break off diplomatic relations. v Washington. Jan. 31.?Germany hn declared unrestricted submarine war? fare. A starvation blockade of England, the like of which the world never has seen, was announced today in notaa delivered to American Ambassador Gerard In Herl in and to the state de? partment here by Count von Bern stortt. Thus begins the long feared cam? paign conceived by von Hlndenburg, It Is said here, on a magnitude never even contemplated by von Triplts. Again the United States fares sever, ance of diplomatic relations with Gor? ma ny with all Its eventual posaihili Ues. President Wilson's repeated warnings of "a world afire" and Sec? retary Lansing's 'verge of war ' state? ments are being recalled In the capi? tal tonight with feellug of apprehen? sion and misgiving. 'Germany's action brings the su? preme crisis of all those that have stirred the American government in two and a half years of world war. Talk of peace and means of pre grrlng peace has gone glimmering. Press dent Wilson, incredulous at *fck? had jus* been presented to Sec? retary Lansing by the German ambas? sador. ' Mr. Lansing refused to make a comment. President Wilson began at once a careful study of the docu? ment. The president has the task of do ?Idlng what shall be the course of the United States. Three Immediate steps appear among the possibilities. The United States might solemnly earn Germany against violation of her pledge; it might be decided that vhe German warning Is sufficient no? tice of an Intention to disregard those pledges and a sufficient warrant for breaking off diplomatic relations; It might be decided to await the results cf the blockade and determine tho course of the United States as the ac? tual operations develop. On almost every side Germany'> drastic action is Interpreted as tin open confession of the effectiveness of the British food blockade. It i regarded as a determination to str kc back in kind. German officials in the United States estimate tho foo s?PPly of the British Isles will lust % month. Admittedly the plan Is to carry starvation to the doors of England with swift, staggering strikes as a fulfillment of Germany's announced determination to use every weapon and agency at her commund to end the war quickly. She counts on the ?aerations of an unheard of number ?A submarines to deliver blows to bring England to her knees within es daya One German official here predicted today the war would he Over In amonth. Conveyed to the world as her an? swer to the refusal of the entente allies to talk peace, Germuny's latest Warning says: MFrom February 1. 1917, within barred so nee around Great Britain. France, Italy and in tho eastern Med? iterranean, all sea traffic forthwith will be oposed." It virtually Is a renowal and al ?htonslon of the celebrated subma? rine blockade of the HrltUh late* proclaimed on February 4, 1915 an4 which became effective February 1 v 1911. Under It ships were sunk wit i out warnlnK untd Germany aban? doned the practice and gave he sura neos. In the Sussex case, to abl It by international law. The LtMttal ? Falaba and scores of other ships were sunk under the decree American citizens and Arno? ships are warned from entcrir?: ttl war tones, although certain preeHtt? tlonary measures are suggested fat distinguished American steamer-< H ?' tarrying contraband, accordinr t the German list. These eondtt.on almost the same form Wan rej t ahea proposed by Germany i n , the negotiations over the Lusitania. At that time Germany proposed to guarantee immunity from attack to certain specified passenger ships sail? ing on prescribed courses with dis? tinguished marks and carrying no contraband. President Wilson reject? ed the proposal promptly on the ground that the United States was contending only for its rights. The new German proclamation brushes aside the perplexing collateral issues which have surrounded the sub ( marine controversy and has brought it back to the point where it was left at the conclusion of the Sussex case. Today's announcement, reciting the refusal of Germany's Enemies to dis? cuss her peace proposals and refer? ring to the starvation blockade, says: "Thus a new situation has sprung up which forces Germany also to no decisions." The new decision is exactly the one forecast when the Sussex negotiations were closed. In convening her pledges to keep submarine activities within interna? tional law, Germany Included a threat of resumption if the United States did not succeed in lifting British restric? tions on commerce to Germany and the European neutrals and the United States in reply expressly warned Ger? man) that her pledges must be absolutely unconditional. i 'Neutrals." said Germany in the Sussex note, "can not expect that Ger? many, forced to fight for her exist? ence, shall for the sake of ncutml in? terest restrict the use of an effective weapon If her enemy Is permitted to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the rules oflntormi tlonal law. Should the steps taken by the United States not attain the ob I Ject to have the laws of humanity fol | lo**dlpr*Jl bellie?rea{_ salons, t^e German government would then be facing a new situation tn which It must reserve to Itself complete liberty of decision." To any such reservations the United State demurred in no uncertain terms. "The United States feels It neces? sary to state," said President Wilson's reply, "that it takes It for granted that the imperial German government does not Intend to imply that the maintenance of Its newly announced policy Is in any way contingent on the course or result of diplomatic ne? gotiations between the government of the United States and any belliger? ent government, notwithstanding the fact that certain passages in the Im? perial government's note might ap? pear to be susceptible of that con? struction." In completing the declaration that there must be no misunderstanding that rights of American citizens must not bo made subject to the conduct of some other government, the note con? cluded by saying: *? Responsibility in such matters is single, not joint; absolute, net relative." The development today came as a staggering surprise. For weeks in? spired authoritative and almost semi? official statements have been coming from Berlin Indicating an absolute decision not to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. The complete I agreement of the emperor, Chancellor I Bethmann-Hollweg, Gen. von Hindeu burg and Gen. von Ludendorff, tin four men In whose hands Germany'* destiny lies, has been mentioned fre? quently in dispatches passing the cen sor. Information received only today, however, shows that a very careful campaign for the full use of sea forces has been under wuy recently. It h i been urged ns essential to Germany': existence and it was represented that it would bo Impossible now for Pres? ident Wilson to get the American jk pie behind him in a declaration 0 war. Congress was represented a* opposed to war. Germany, according to Information received here, realhes that the aetloi may result In a break of relation | but Berlin officials are prepared f"i the rupture. Tonight they were rep? resented as feeling that the only oth er steps open to the United Stat? are the calling of a conference oi neutral nations to end'the blocked* or the taking of some step Which speedily would result In peace. Information received from the same source is that Admiral von Tit pit/ his followers had absolutely nothing to do with tbo new policy. On lha contrary, it was said tonight that Voll Tirpitz vas not, as has Heretofore been supposed, removed from power because he advocated ruthless sub? marine warfare but because he did not effectively carry out the campaign he inaugurated. From Oerman quarters tonight , came the information that Germany now has from 300 to 500 submarines ready for the campaign. The German views is that the new policy will improve general prospects of an early peace. Germany is rep? resented as still being ready to dis? cuss peace at any time. However, it j is declared that German officials both in this country and in Berlin feel that the declaration of changed poli? cy should make It clear that Germany and her allies are in the war to the last drop of blood. Unrestricted submarine warfare, it was declared, was determined upon as soon as the nature of the entente reply to President Wilson's note be? came known and before the pres? ident's address to the senate. The president's address, it was said, authoritatively, came in the midst of the situation and because of its na? ture it appeared for a time as if the new campaign might be postponed. However, it was explained, much pre? paration was necessary for the open? ing of such a campaign and nothing was to be gained by waiting. It is believed here that the policy was decided upon at a recent confer? ence at. the headquarters of the Ger? man general staff and that Field Marshal von Hlndonburg played a most important part in Its formation. It is expected that Austria-Hungary will take action similar to that of Germany with regard to the opera? tions of Its submarines In the Medi? terranean. Evory public Intimation from Ger? many In the last few months has been that an unrestricted submarine war? fare, almost certain to bring in the United States, would be adopted only as a last act of desperation. German papers have said Germany would not dare oppose neutral opinion unless she were willing to have the rest of the neutral world added to her en? emies. Two opposing views of American hostility have been allowed to pass the German censors. The first was that the harm the United States could do Germany as an active en? emy was no greater than as a neutral supplying mnnttlons and loans to the enemies and that the 'crippling of Ral? lied shipping would be. the turning point of the war. This apparently is Ib&xXto* . BW. s^otptosV. Toother view, known to have been held by some high officials here, was that Germany might in desperation seek to involve the United States as an actual enemy on the ground that her influence at the peace conference would be a generous one. Officials here, stunned at the sud? denness of the German action, do not hesitate to conceal their disquietude over the mental unpreparedness of the'American public for what may be coming. The recent flood of peace discussions started by the German of? fer, Increased by the president's note and again by the entente reply, are thought to have turned public opinion In this country away from the possi? bility of war and to have focused at? tention on the terms of a near peace. A revulsion is expected to take place in the entente countries, with the re? sult that the world war will enter a period of frlghtfulness unimagined heretofore. With the massing for huge offensives by land and the an nouncement of ruthlossness by sea officials look forward to at least < spring and summer of unprecedented slaughter. The German note sweeps av/ay a the issues that have previously loomed so large, such as what armament i merchant ship can carry, where i must be located, how It may be used, whether the ship is chartered, requi? sitioned or still private, and replaces them with one clear Issue which car not be broken or ignored. In this situation President Wilson's previous policies ure the intimation of the fu? ture. When the channel liner Sus? sex was torpedoed the president, threatening a severance of relations, wrote: "If it is still the purpose of the imperial government to prosecute re? lentless and indisciiminate warfare against vessels of coi. merco by the use of submarines without regard to what the government of the United States must consider the sacred and indisputable rules of international law and the universally recognised dictates of humanity, the government of the United Slates is at last forced to the conclusion that there is but one course it can pursue. "Unless the imperial German gOV ernmsnt should now immediately ds clare and effect an abandonment ot its present methods of submartui warfare against passenger and freight carrying vessels, the government of the United States can have no choice but to sever diplomatic relations with the German empire altogether. This action the government of the United States contemplates with the gret i rst reluctance but feels constrained U> take in behalf of humanity and the rights of neutral nations." To this note the German govern* mont acceded in Its reply of May 4, 1916, in what has become known ay the Sussex pledge, as follows: "The German government, guided by this idea, notifies the government of the United States that the Ger? man naval forces have received the following orders: "In accordance with the general principles of visit and search and de? struction of merchant vessels recog? nized by international law, such ves? sels, both within and without the sone declared as a naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning und without saving human lives, unless these ships attempt to escape or offer resistance.' " This was followed by the qualifi? cation the United States declined to recognize. The pledge has been bind? ing on Germany up to today when her new orders were issued denying the right of visit and search to ves? sels within a wide area. This follows closely an extension of the field of British naval operations announced from the American em? bassy in London on Saturday in which an area running out from Jutland and enclosing part of the North sea was declared dangerous because of bel? ligerent operations. Preparations for a wide sea war have been for some time indicated in many scattered dispatches but no such extreme warfare was expected by officials here. Reports have fre quently come from South American ports of German ships preparing for a dash to sea. Likewise German naval report have intimated probabi? lity of another big naval battle like the Jutland battle last spring, while a recent conference of allied naval authorities forecast much closer en? tente cooperation on the seas. When Associated Press dispatches telling of the German note began ar? riving at tho White House today, Pres? ident Wilson was in his office talk? ing with a friend. Secretary Tumulty hurried to him with the news. The president could not believe it until assured that the information was contained in a formal note already before the state department. Cabinet members likewise received the news with expressions of amaze? ment. On every hand in official cir? cles* the first opinion formed without detailed consideration was that diplo? matic relations with Germany would be broken If the terms of the de? cree are carried out. The German announcement, as communicated to Mr. Lansing through ^nitSksaador. bera?torfft follows; a ^ "M/. Secretary of State: "Your excellency was good enough to transmit to the imperial govern? ment a copy of the message which the president of the United States of America addressed to the senate on the 22nd Inst. The Imperial govern? ment has given it the earnest con si d eraton which the president's state? ments deserve, Inspired as they are by a deep sentiment of responsibility. It is highly gratifying to the imperial government to ascertain that the main tendencies of this Important statement correspond largely to the desires and principles professed by Germany. These principles especially include self government and equality of rights for all nations. Germany would be sincerely glad If In recognition of this principle countries like Ireland and India, which do not enjoy the bene? fits of political Independence, should now obtain their freedom. The Ger? man people also repudiate all alliances which serve to force tho countries into a competition for might and to cn volve them in a net of Ssitlsh in? trigues. On the other hand, Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts to prevqnt future wars. The freedom of the seas, being a preliminary condi? tion of the free existence of nations and the peaceful intercourse between them, as well as the open door for the commerce of all nations, has al? ways formed part of the leading prin? ciples of Germany's political pro? gramme. All the more the imperial government regrets that the attitude of her enemies who are so entirely opposed to peace makes it impossible for tho world at present to bring about the realization of these lofty Ideals. Germany and her allies were ready to enter now into a discussion of peace and had set down as basis the guaranty of existence, honor and free development of their peoples. Their alms, as has been expressly stated in the note of December 12, 1916, were not directed towards the destruction or annihilation of their enemies and1 were according to their conviction perfectly compatible with the rights of the other nations. As to Belgium, for which such warm and cordial sympathy is felt in the United States, the chancellor had declared only a few weeks previously that Its annexation had never formed part of Germany's intentions. The peace to be signed with Belgium was to pro? vide for such conditions in that coun? try with which Germany desires to maintain friendly, neighborly rela? tions, that Belgium should not be used again by Germany's enemies for the purpose of Instigating continuous > le intrigues. Such precautionary w. asures are all the more necessary as Germany's enemies have repeated? ly stated not only In speeches deliver? ed by their leading men but also In the statutes of the economical con? ference in Paris, that it is their in? tention not to treat Germany as an equal, even after peace has been re? stored, but to continue their hostile attitude and especially to wage a sys? tematic economical war against her. "The attempt of the four allied pow? ers to bring about peace has failed owing to the lust of conquest of their enemie, who desire to dictate the conditions of peace. Under the pre? tense of following the principle of nationality our enemies have disclos? ed their real aims in this war, viz, to dismember and dishonor Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulga? ria. To the wish of reconciliation they oppose the will of destruction. They desire a fight to the bitter end. "A new situation has thus, been created which forces Germany to new decisions. Since two years and a half England is using her naval power for a criminal attempt to force Germany into submission by starvation. In brutal contempt of international law the group of powers led by England does not only curtail the legitimate trade of their opponents but they also by ruthless pressure, compel neutral countries entering altogether to fore? go every trade not agreeable to the entente powers or to limit it accord? ing to their arbitrary decrees. "The American government knows the steps which have been taken to cause England and her allies to re? turn to the rules of International law and to respect the freedom of the seas. The English government, how? ever, insists upon continuing its war of starvation, which does not at all affect the military powers of its op? ponents but compels women and children, the sick and the aged to suffer, for their country, pains and privations which endanger the vi? tality of the nation. Thus British tyranny mercilessly increases the suf? ferings of the world indifferent to the laws of humanity, indifferent to the protests of the neutrals whom they severely harm, indifferent even to the silent longing for peace among England's own allies. Each day of the terrible struggle causes new de? struction, new sufferings. Each day shortening the war will on both sides preserve the life of thousands of brave soldiers and be a benefit to mankind. { "The Imperial government could not justify before its own conscience, be? fore the German people and before history the neglect of any means des - lined to-bring abdat?Cu? end -of-fhe war. 1 like the president of the United States the imperial govern? ment had hoped to reach this goal by negotiations. After the attempts to come to an understanding with the entente powers have been an? swered by the latter with the an? nouncement of an intensified con? tinuation of the war, the imperial government, in order to serve the welfare of mankind in a higher sense and not to wrong its own people, is now compelled to continue the fight for existence, again forced upon it with the full employment of all the weapons which are at its disposal. "Sincerely trusting that the people and government of the United States will understand the motives for this decision and its necessity, the imperial government hopes that the United States may view the situation from the lofty heights of impartiality and assist on their part to prevent further misery and unavoidable sacrifice of human life. "Enclosing two memoranda regard? ing the details of the contemplated military measures at sea, I remain, etc. (Signed) "J. Bernstorff." W. O. W. BANQUET ENJOYED. Big Attendance of Hollywood Camp Members at Annual Gathering. There was a big attendance of the members of Hollywood Camp, No. 19, Woodmen of the World, Wednesday night in their annual gathering for their banquet. The crowd numbere abount 373 and was larger than was expected. In fact accommodations had not been prepared for so large a number by the ladies of Trinity church and the overflow was taken care of in Charlie's and the Dixie cafes. The supper was an excellent one and was a most enjoyable affair. The gathering of the Woodmen in these numbers always has a social feature which is very pleasant to members of the camp. Mr. C. C. Beck was chair? man of the committee which had the arrangements in charge and Mr. Beck looked after the preparations for the affair. Before the Woodmen repaired to the banquet hall, a meeting was held in the Woodmen hall and two splen? did addresses were made by Messrs. C. M. Hurst and S. H. Edmunds. The talks were along the lines of wood? craft and were most inspiring. Holly? wood Camp, N. 19, has 1,002 members and is the biggest camp in the State. London, Feb. 1.?A Berlin dispatch says that Chancellor von Rethmann I loll weg in addressing the ways and means committee of the Reichstag, declared that Germany is ready to stake everything on a fight to the end. Whole Family Benefited By Wonderful Remedy There are many little things to annoy us. under present conditions of life. The hurry, hard work, noise and strain all tell on us and tend to provoke nervousness and irritability.. We arc frequently so worn out wc can neither eat, sleep nor work with any comfort. We are out of line with ourselves and , others as well. A good thing to do under such circumstances is to take something like Dr. Miles9 Anti-Pain Pills to relieve the strain on the nerves. Mrs. J. B. Hartsneld, &\* Plum St., Atlanta Ga., writes: "I have on several occasions been vastly relieved by the use of your med? icines, especially the Anti-Fain PU!s, which I keep constantly on hand for the use of myself, husband and two sons. Nothing in the world equals thcra as a headache remedy^. Often I am enabled by the ?ise of one or two of tbs Pills to continue rry housework when otherwise I would be in bed. My husband joins me in my pratssj of the Anti-Pain Pills and Nervine/* Dr. Miles' Anti-Pain Pills are relied upon to relieve pain, nervousness and irritability in thou? sands of households. Of proven merit after twenty years' use, you can have no reason for being longer without them. h At all Druggists, 2ft deses 29 cents. I MILES MEDICAL CO., Elkhart, Ind. In The Recorder's Court. The following cases were disposed of in the police court todoy: Aaron Richardson and Julius Daily, alias Buck Bailey, lighting, 110 or 29 days. ( Arthur Young, petit larceny, $16 otf 30 days. ? Will Hayes, petit larceny, seven charges, plead guilty on three and wan found guilty on the others, $26 or 30 days on each charge. . Freezing Weather; Coal Running Low* Paris, Jan. 29.?France continues to suffer from unusually cold weath* er, the temperature ranging from 10 to 16 degrees above zero, Farenheit. The Paris coal supply is running low, owing to the freeing of canals. Fioat* lng ice Is beginning to appear in the) lpwer_ Blene. Several d< e been I r|Q ^?farriage JAc**** Beoord. I lAcenSSf^ marry have been issued to Eugene W. Bcvwen and Fannie W Colclough, Sumter; Lee Anderson ancj Annie Simmons, Sumter. Miss Jennie Walsh sustained a vew painful injury this morning about 10 o'clock at her home on Kendrlcsl street, when in endeavoring to catcht her little nephew, C. B. Walsh, Jr., who was about to fall Into a flower pit, she twisted her ankle on a board and fell, breaking the ankle. The in* jury received prompt medical atten? tion, but was very painful and, as It had to be put up in a plaster cast, it will be several weeks before Miss Walsh will be able to use her foot again. Marlon Phelps, a son of Mr. and Mrs. V. H. Phelps, yesterday after? noon sustained a fractured arm when, in runn.ng across the Y. M. C. A4 gymnasium floor, he tripped and fell, the bones being broken in two places in the forearm. He was placed un* der anesthetics and the broken bones set and this morning was getting along nicely. PhosrhoMarl \Sweetens SourS?r^i A. 1 Points the Way for Preparedness: in the War on the Boll Weevil. NaturaHy Phosphated Agricultural Lime. Each ton contains 97 cents to $1.10 worth Bone Phosphate of Lima? and G8 per cent. Lime Carbonate. Sold only by State Department of AgncuN ture under authority of General As? sembly. Gives farmers an opportun? ity to obtain cheap lime carbonate. Shipments In bulk only, carloads not less than SO nor more than 33 tons, at $1.60 per ton, cash with order. Freight on shipments to agency sta? tions may be paid at destination. Shipments to non-agency stations must be fully prepaid. Freight rates on Phospho-Marl to stations in Sumter County as follows: Sumter, Oswego, Mayesvtlle, Brog don, Ttadai, Cane Savannah, Wedge fleld, Privateer, Dalzell, 86c; Camden Junction, Sumter Junction, Rembert, Borden, Providence, 90c; Manchester, Tourney, Ellerbee, 95c; Brent, Du Bose, $1.11 per ton. Cut out this ad. and save it. It makes ordering easy. For further information, apply to E. J. WATSON, Commissioner S. C. State Dep't. of Agriculture, Columbia, S. C.