Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1917 — GERMANY CONVINED WAR IS UNAVOIDABLE [ARTICLE]

GERMANY CONVINED WAR IS UNAVOIDABLE

Genuine Desire to Keep U. S. Friendship, but Will Not Alter Wasp Order; Easy on America , Little hope or expectation prevails in Berlin tnat war with the United States is avoidable or that a reconciliation' between the two governments can be reached. There now is a desire on the part of the authorities and a vast bulk of the people to avoid actual hostilities in any way consistent with, the general fines of the present submarine policy, but only in such a way. Accordingly, instructions wore given, so the Associated Press has been reliably informed, to submarine commanders, before they started on their February mission, to take the safe side when neutral vessels, particularly American, were in question, whenever possible. Enemy merchantmen, when recognized as such were ordered to be sunk at sight, but neutral merchantmen were to be warped when such action in their judgment, was cosistent with the object of the campaign and the safety of their own ships. It was realized however, after the prompt and resolute stand taken by President Wilson, that these orders could only be palliative, and only defer, not avoid, an ultimate break. Also,that if President Wilson stood by his announcement that the destruction of American lives would be regarded as an act of hostility, a cause for war must come sooner or later, probably sooner on account of the number of Americans on enemy ships. Moreover, there was discretionary nature of the instructions to submarine commanders, who were inf o r med that while The careful course toward neutrals was recommended and desired, they would no longer be subjected to punishment for departing from their former procedure of warning, if they found it advisable.