EVENING LEDGER-!1 ill! . i it. ' V 1 ifli 0, JL J GERMAHS DEFY U.S.; DENOUNCE WARNING AS WASTEOF WORDS "Must Take Consequences," Says Newspaper, of Sub marine Menace Scorns Hate and Envy of World. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 12.-tierman news papers scoff lit the Indignation expressed In neutral countries over the proclama tion by Germany of tho new naval policy against Great Britain. Count von Re vchtlow, naval writer, says: "Wo havo always expected American protests and outbursts and wa expect some even more vehement. Tho United States should understand clearly that In dignation and threats aro a moro waste of words. "The military, political and cconomlo results of our action havo all been weighed. Wo can Imaglno no threat, no measure on tho part of tho United States which Is capable of Intimidating Gor niany or of Inducing It to modify Its war against British trade. "The German Government Is fully con scious of all tho possible consequences of lt action and tho German pcopio sianu united behind their Government. It may Incidentally bo questioned whether the people of tho United States would do the same In all circumstances." Tho Hamburger Nachrlchten says: "Beginning on February 13 everybody must take tho consequences. Tho hate and envy of tho wholo world concerns us not at all. If neutrals do not protect their flags ngalnBt England, they do not de serve Germany's respect." "AS GERMANY SEES FIT," SENTIMENT ON ZONE ORDER AMSTERDAM, Feb. 12. The Berlin Dor Tag prints an Interview with Herr Erz berger, an Influential member of the Xtclchstag, In which the statesman dis cussed the German blockado declaration and Its effect on neutral countries. "Neutrals have no right to mako claims," says Herr Erzbergor, "but Ger many may allow them somet'nlng as a favor. The blockade doea not mean that Germany will Ignore tho wishes of tho neutrals ns far bb they do not endanger the German war plan. But neutrals can not obtain anything by thivats or pro tests, but only by tho free will of the German Government." Declaring that the time will como when a. new method of warfare and a new law for the sea will arise, the Kreuz Zcltung says that first of all England's domina tion of the sea must be destroyed. Until then, the paper says, discussions of tho International law phase of the battle, which Is now but beginning. Is not worth the paper they aro written on." "GERMANY NOT TO BLAME IF NEUTRALS ARE VICTIMS" COPENHAGEN, Feb. 12. That Ger many did not mean that the blockade of the English coast should make noutral trade Impossible, was the statement pub lished today In the Ncue Hamburger Zeltung. Tho paper says that the German declaration was meant as a warning to neutrals against tho dangers In the Eng lish waters and that Germany would not accept the responsibility for the safety of neutral ships sailing In those'wnters. There was no talk about hostile meas ures being taken gainst neutral shipping, tho paper states, the German Admiralty's Intention being to refrain from BUCh measures, provided neutral ships by mutual understanding do not carry con traband. GERMANS' SEIZURE OF VAN DYKE'S MAIL ROUSES U.S. PROTEST American Envoy to Holland Demands Apology for In terference With Official Letters to Luxemburg. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12,-The State De partment today protested to the Ger man Government against Interference with Minister "Van Dyke's communication between Holland and Luxemburg. THE HAGUE, Feb. 12. Henry Van Dyke, United States Minister to The Hague, and oIbo to the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, states that he has appealed to the Government at Washington to pro test against German Interference with his duties as Minister to Luxemburg. He said his diplomatic communications with that place have been cut off by the Ger man military commander at Trier, who had refused to permit his letters to pass because they were Bealed with the seal of the American Legation. "That statement of facts is Incorrect," paid Doctor Van Dyke. "The action of the German commander at Trier may have been a mistake or Ignorance, but It must be explained and apologized for. "I cannot consent to Interference with tny duties toward Luxemburg by any Power of tbe world, except that which conferred them upon me, namely, the Government at Washington." KAISER FORCES RETIREMENT OF FOE IN EAST PRUSSIA Petrograd Admits Strategic Retreat South, of Lakes.'" PETROGRAD, Feb. 12. Heavy reinforcements which the Ger mans are receiving have virtually driven the Russians out of East Prussia, it was admitted In on official statement Issued by tho General Headquarters today. This movement, described here as trat!c, covers the region south of the Mamrian Lakes, where the marshy ter rain has been abandoned and new ground lakwj near tbe Polish frontier. FRENCH AID IN SUEZ DEFENSE Warships TakB Pari in Repelling TjirkB1 Attack on. Canal. PAIUS, Feb. 12. Freaah co-operation with the British in t dfewta of the Sue Canal was an WWld tfiday In an offlcia! sommunlque, "1J the cure of the attack attempted ty jtie Turkish army on February J MMlWtt the Su Canal. twi Vvmch war attpk ccjrUHit4 with siwwu to, he de 1b at tt warn way. Th monitor &MX1M Ul ed tbf heayy sua of the Tui-tas and h rilfr KRtrAstaux dis sert Utspe 0ftlueAtj tf ttw uny twaea ww ptaiafa aa tJtbr war- GERMAN "WAR ZONE" VS. BRITISH 'WAR AREA" jftCELAUD 5iliIlilIM . SAFE route miylUohixxv jmlliiir fJ ADVISED BY ENGlAW&fSiV' "" fSWW The "war area," as defined in the British proclamation of November 4. is indicated in the foregoing map by the vertical line shading. The proclamation explaining this area announced that all ships pass ing a line drawn from the northern point of the Hebrides through the Faroe Islands to Iceland did so at their own peril. Ships of all countries wishing to trade to and from Norway, the Baltic, Denmark and Holland were advised to come, if inward bound, by the English Channel and Straits of Dover. There they would be given sailing directions which would pass them safely up the east coast of England to Fame Island, whence safe route would be given to Lindesnaes Lightship. The German "war zone," proclaimed in the decrees of February 2 and February 4, is covered by the dotted portions of the map. The first German proclamation declared the waters around Great Britain, including the English Channel, in the danger zone. The routes of navigation around the north of the Shetland Islands, in the eastern part of the North Sea and in a strip 30 miles wide along the Dutch coast, were exempted. The German Admiralty later included the north and west coasts of France in the "war zone." HOLLAND BROUGHT CLOSER TOWARBY FIRING UPON FLAG Attack of German Subma rine on Laertes, Following Dutch Protest, Regarded as Very Serious. LONDON, Feb. 12. That Holland has been brought to the hrlnk of war with Germany, as a result of the German submarine U-2 firing upon the steamship Laertes, when tho latter was flying tho Dutch flag, is tho general belief here. The Netherlands Government had already sent an emphatic note to Germany In answer to tho war zone pro clamation, In which It was pointed out that ships carrying tho Dutch llag must be protected In tho war zona prescribed by tho uroclamatlon. The Laertes incident, coming so closely upon the heels of this answer, Is re garded as of tho utmost seriousness. The firing on the steamship occurred Wednesday afternoon. The Laertes, a British ship, which had sailed from Japan with a valuable cargo, was north of the neighborhood between Schouwerbank and the Haas Lightship when sho was chal lenged by the German submarine U-2 arid ordered to atop. Aboard the ship were neutrals, and the captain, in order to save them, hoisted tho Dutch (lag, but the Germans refused to honor this, and continued to tiro. Ono shot struck the compass and others crashed into the lifeboats and on the up per deck, putting tho lives of the neutrals abroad In the utmost danger. The German commander ordered a tor pedo to bo launched. The sinuous white wake of the torpedo was Been speeding toward the Laertes. The speed and course of the ship saved her, although the torpedo passed Just astern, missing by a few yards. fJORM ROUTS SUBMARINES German Craft Forced to Seek Nor wegian Hnvens. LONDON,, Feb. 12. A dlBpatch to the Dally Mall from Copenhagen says that Information comes from Christiana, Nor way, that In the heavy North Sea gales a few days ago ten German submarines put into Bergen, Trondhjem and other Norwegian ports In a terribly battered condition. The crews are reported to have been many days In heavy weather, enduring privations, loss of sleep and dlflcqmfort through the ceaseless rising and falling of mountainous seas. The men were exhausted and several of them HI. "The submarines were escorted to liar bor by Norwegian patrol cruisers and In formed that they must leave within 21 hours or be Interned, They remained about 20 hours for rest and slight re pairs." A BEERLESS GERMANY? OUCH! Bundesrath Considers Measure to limit Consumption. BERLIN, Feb. 12. -According to the Lokal Anzelger, a State regulation of an other essential ot German life besides bread Is Impending. The Bundesrath Is considering a law limiting the consumption of malt to 60 per cent, of the present quantity permit ted to be used and reducing the beer pro ductions correspondingly. The barley thus saved will be available for human consumption aa barley grits or as food for cattle Guests of Berlin restaurants after February 22 must either bring pocketfuls of rolls or a bread ticket with them. Otherwise no bread will be ob tainable. T LETTER'S Best Coal Egg 17, Stove $7.25, Chestnut $7.30 Large Round Pea Coal, $5.50 Laructt Coat Yard in Phttadtlphla OWEH LETTER'S SONS Trenton Ave. ft Westmoreland St. Ililllllillllll SLAUGHTER APPALLS KAISER Distressed by Heavy Toll of Battles in East. COPENHAGEN, Feb. 12.-Accordlng to tho correspondents of Danish newspapers, Emperor William has found tho situation In the east generally hopeful, but ho Is described ns having been, greatly de pressed over tho terrible price In men Germany hns had to pay for comparative ly limited advances against the Intrenched Russians. Ono account by way of War saw places tho German losses on tho Bzura and tho Rawka front nt 45,000 dead. Nevertheless, Danish military critics say Emperor William protested against this slaughter, and as a result an effort was made by tho German war staff to transfer tho fighting to some point whore tho Russians nro less formidably In trenched. wjsb ANOTHER GERMAN LOAN More Money Needed for War Rus sian Issue, ROTTERAM, Feb. 12. The foremost financiers of Germany have been sum moned to a secret conference In Berlin, where they will discuss with tho Min ister of Finance the means to b6 pursued to raise another loan of $1,230,000,000 to carry on tho war. It Is bellevod that the Krupps and other rich families will sub scribe most of It. It Is reported that Russia also contem plates floating an Internal loan of $250,-000,000. I IB IlijROM our city on the Delaware' off across the I B 1JH prairies and the mountains stretch the mighty pS inM I a Golden Gate; the last link in a system of communication BfpRliJjl I -V OvH A ."" Germany and Britain Must Bow to a. 5. Continued from t'nite One would require the United Stales td war Oh Germany, should It sink American ships in tho war zone. BRITAIN RESPONSIBLE. The English Government was told that the United States regarded constant mis use. of the flag for protection against seiz ure us beyond the pale of tho Interna tional principle that such use may be ap plied In emergency. England was told, too, that It Would be In a sonso responsi ble for destruction of American lives or shipping should Gcrmnny come to regard the Stars and Stripes as England's mode of avoiding conflict with an enemy. Administration authorities held today that de-iplte tho "strength" of tone dis played In both notes neither would In volve this nation In difficulties abroad. They believed that England and Oor many would acnulesca In America's posi tion nnd grant such relief as will assure safety to American shipping and passen Bors. Antladmlnlstrntlon forces, on tho other hand, held that tho notes showed a "re versal of form" a spirit of protest, care fully subdued at the outset of the war, Tho notes were understood to have been drafted by Counsellor Robert Lan plng, tho 8talo Department's Internation al Inw expert, hut It was reported that tho President did tho "proof-reading" and furnished many of tho Ideas. Cer tain It was that tho notes passed under his eye and were tho subject of several lengthy conferences with the counsellor. Secretary Bryan was understood to have had virtually no hand In tho actual drafting. LONDON PAPERS THROW ALL BLAME ON GERMANY LONDON. Feb. 12. Tho Foreign Office today maintained si lence on tho American nolo to Great Britain concerning tho sinking of Ameri can whips nnd the uso of tho American flag. Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secre tary, will call tho Cabinet into session ns soon ns tho full text of the note Is re ceived. Until tho Cabinet has taken up the matter no official announcement or reply Is expected to ho made. The nowspapers, commenting editorially on tho note, assert that Great Britain Is acting not only In tho national Interest, but In tho Interest of humanity nnd civili zation. Germany Is blamed for tho sit uation, nnd the papers defend tho uso of the American flag. "Responsibility of any danger to Amor lean ships Is placed firmly on the Ger man Government," BayB tho Pall Mall Gazette. "President Wilson declines to accept the German theory that two wrongs mako a right. The note to the British Government Is couched In the friendliest possible terms, and It ought not to bo difficult to satisfy tho United States that there will be no danger of an American ship being sunk It the Ger man craft behavo as ovcry usage of war dictates, and board ships thoy stop for an examination of their papers. Tho question, as It presents Itself to Ameri can citizens traveling in British ships. Is that It gives the Germans the right to kill them." Tho Evening Standard says: "It Is Impossible for the German Gov ernment to misunderstand how America views tho proclamation rogardlng neutral ships. Americans havo appealed to tho owners of the Lusltnnla to fly their flag during tho next trip for their protection. President Wilson can scarcely dellno this as unwarranted." "It Is clear that the notice given by the Gorman Government Is merely an Inti mation to the noutrals that thoy should better look out for themselves after that date," says tho Westminster Gazette. 8000 GERMANS DESERT Reported to Have Crossed Into Hol land When Ordered to Yser. LONDON, Feb. 12. A London Times dispatch from Amsterdam says: "The Telegraaf learns from Antwerp to day that some SOOO German deserters have fled to tho Netherlands, Including numer ous officers. All theso men had been commanded to proceed to the Yser. Largo numbers of soldiers nro reported to be deserting from the Drasschaet nnd Jterx em forts." TEXT OF U. S. WARNINGS TO BRITAIN AND GERMANY American Life and Property Must Be Respected in What ever Zone, Says Note to Berlin Britain Involved if United States Flag Is Used, London Is Told. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. The American been taken by the other belligerent no- noies 10 uermanr nnu uiwi. v' v. ' ... . r u. . n..... n, in n anont the German threat of blockading Great Britain and the British use of tho American flag have been transmitted to the two Powers. They demand that Ger many respect American life and prop erty In any and all zones, and that Britain, In usltfg the American flag, lays Itself "rejinnnnlhln" If harm comes to Americans under such circumstances. The text of theso notes Is: OFFICIAL V. S. WARNINO ISSUED TO GERMANY WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. Tho text of America's warning to Ger many on tho blockade threat Is In the form of an official note to Ambassador Gerard, at Borlln. It Is: "Tho Government of the United States, having had Its attention directed to tho proclamation of the German Admiralty, Ipfiucd on tho 4th of February, that tho waters surrounding Great Britain and Ireland, Including the wholo of tho Eng lish Channel, are to bo considered as comprised within tho seat of war; that all enemy merchant vessels found In those waters after tho 18th Instant will be dlstroycd, nlthough It may not always bo possible to save crews and passen gers! nnd that noutral vessels expose thomsclvcs to danger within this zone of war because, In view of tho misuse of neutral flags, said to have been ordered by tho British Government on tho 31st of Jnnuary, nnd of tho contingencies of maritime warfare, It may not bo possible nlwnys to exempt noutral vessels from at tacks intended to strlka enemy ships, feels It to bo Its duty to call the atten tion of tho Imperial German Government, with sincere respect and tho most friendly sentiments but very candidly and earnest ly, to tho very serious possibilities of the coureo of action apparently contem plated under tho proclamation. "The Government of the United States views thoae possibilities with such grave concern that It feels It to be Its privi lege, and Indeed Its duty to request the Imperial German Government to consider, before action Is taken, the critical situ ation In respect of the relations between this country and Germany, which might arise wore the German naval forces, In carrying out the policy foreshadowed In the Admiralty's proclamation to destroy any merchant vessel of the I'nlted States or cause the death of American citizens. "It Is, of course, not necessary to re mind the German Government that the sole right of a belligerent In dealing with neutral vessels on the high seas Is limited to visit and search, unless n blockade Is proclaimed nnd effectively maintained, which this Government does not understand to be proposed In this case. "To declare or exercise a right to at tack and destroy any vessel entering a prescribed area of the high seas without first certainty determining Its belligerent nationality and the contraband character of Its cargo would be an act so unprece dented In naval warfare that this Gov ernment Is reluctant to believe that the Imperial Government of Germany In this case contemplates It as possible. "Tho suspicion tlint enemy ships aro using neutral flags improperly can create no Just presumtlon that all ships travers ing a prescribed area are subject to tho samo suspicion. It Is to detormlno exact ly such questions that this Government understands tho right of visit and search to havo been recognized. "This Government has carefully noted tho explanatory 'statement issued by the Imperinl German Government at the same tlmo with tho proclamation of the Ger man Admiralty, and takes this occasion to remind tho Imperial Gorman Govern ment very respectfully that tho Govern ment of the United States Is open to none of the criticisms for unneutral ac tion to which the Gorman Government believes tho Governments of certain other neutral nations havo laid themselves open; that tho Government of tho United States has not consented to or ac quiesced In any menBures which may havo . t nna n t.a riDAni TCfir which uvciuio if i " " t,,v .-"-"- .--- ,-- . , . restrain neutral trade, but has, on tho contrary, taken In all suoh matters' a position which warrants It In holding thoeo Governments responsible In the proper way for any untoward effects on American shipping which the accepted principles of International law do not Justify; nnd that It, therefore, regards Itself as free In the present Instance to take with a clear consclenco and upon accepted principles the position Indicated In this note. "If the commanders of German ves. els of war should act Upon the-presumption that the flag of the United States was not being used In good faith and should destroy on the high seas an Amer ican vessel or the lives of American" citi zens, It would be difficult for the Gov ernment of'the United States to view the net In any other light than as In Inde fensible violation of neutral rights, which It would be very hard, Indeed, to recon cile with the friendly relations now so happily subsisting between the two Gov ernments. "If such a deplorable situation should arise, the Imperial German Government can readily appreclato that tho Govern ment of tho United States would be con strained to hold tho Imperial German Government to n strict accountability for such acts of their naval authorities and to tako any slops It might bo necessary to tako to safeguard American lives nnd property nnd to secure to American citi zens tho full enjoyment of their acknowl edged rights on tho high seas. "Tho Government of the United State, In view of these considerations, which It urges with tho greatest respect nnd with the slnccro purposo of mnklng sure that no misunderstanding may arlso and no circumstances occur that might evon cloud Intercourse of tho two Governments, expressos the confident hopo nnd expecta tion that tho Imperial German Govern ment can nnd will give nssurnnco that American cltlzenB and their vessels will not bo molested by tho naval forces of Germany otherwise than by visit and search, though their vessels may bo tra versing tho sen area delimited In tho proc lamation of tho German Admiralty. "It Is added for tho Information of the Imperial Government that representations have beon mado to his Britannic Majesty's Government In respect to tho unwarranted uso of tho American flag for tho protec tion of British ships." OFFICIAL NOTE TO BRITAIN ON MISUSE OF V, S. FLAG WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. Tho text of tho note to Great Britain regarding uso of tho American flag Is contained In tho following official com munication to Ambassador Pago: "Tho Department has been advised of the declaration of tho German Admiralty on Februnry 4, Indicating that tho Brit ish Government had on Jnnuary 31 ex plicitly authorized tho use of neutral flags on British merchant vessels, presumably for the purposo of avoiding recognition by Gcrmnn naval forces. The Depart ment's attention has also been directed to reports In tho press that tho captain of tho Lusttanta, acting upon orders or In formation received from the British authorities, raised the American flag as his vessel approached the British coasts in order 'to escape anticipated attacks by German submarines. Todny's press re ports also contain an alleged official state ment of tho ForclgnOfllco defending tho use of a flag of a noutral country by a belligerent vessel In order to escape cap ture ox- attack by an enemy. "Assuming that the foregoing reports are true, the Government of the United States, reserving for future consideration the legality and propriety of the decep tive use of the flag of a neutral Power In any case for the purpose of avoiding capture, desires very respectfully to point out to his Britannic Majesty's Gov ernment the serious consequences which mny remit a American vti. American clt.ten. If thU pK Immediate pursuit and to deceive ""'s proachlng enemy, which npnears h2 . press repbrts to be reprentd J I precedent and Justlflcat on used tM port this action, seems to this Gov. a very different thing from an I5Sf sanction by a belligerent OoveJnm?11; Its merchant ships gencrallv V). l r nag of a heutrnl rSwer wh n " l portions of th high sol which ti8 sumod to be frequented ChSlfi? The formal declaration of such s J... of general misuse of a neutral'. ' eopardlMs the vessels of the neU.r.l ",' lllng those waters In a peculiar h. ' vl ra ilno the presumption? that fh.10?,! V thoGeZAdnflranrtSrr. nft"ef, ' SHS sels traversing thoso waters A JS fcuch ns the ono which his .2$k Government Is said to Intend tnnVi would, If tho declaration of the V Admiralty bo put In force. It seems S?. nfford no protection to British v.,.., .white It -would bo a serious and I S careens'0 i,vea nna vc-'-S, crnmont will do all In their power to t strain vessels of British nationality trl Stntes In tho Bca area defined In n German declaration, slnco such practl would greatly endanger tho vessel. "t Jln,'!ly ,Vowcr n'entlng thoso wate ami would even seem to Impose upon'ti Government of Great Britain a me" of responsibility for tho loss of Amerfc lives and vessels In case of an attack i a Gorman naval force. "You will Impress upon his Majestj Government tho gravo concern which it! Government feels In tho circumstances regnrd to the safoty of American vesst nnd lives In tho war zono declared bv ti German Admiralty. "This Government Is making earne representations to tho German Cover ment In regard to the danger to Amcrlci vessels nnd citizens. If tho declaration i tho Gorman Admiralty Is put Into effect CANADA DECREES WAR TAX Dominion to Raise Moro Than $20 000,000 by Drastic Measure. OTTAWA. Ont Feb. 12.-A drastic w. taxation measuro was proclaimed In- tl Canadian Parliament yesterday. It Is e pected to ralso from J20,O0O,00O to $23 000 C additional revenue. Bank circulation a: the business of loan and flro Insuran companies aro proposed to be taxed, stamp tax Is to bo applied to buslijeBs at banking transactions, to tickets, (el graph and cable messages and patei medicines. A speclaRvnr tax In the form of li creased customs charge will be appllt It Is 714 per cent. Increase in general li termcdlato tariff ratos and 5 per cent, li crease to British preferential rates. Tho Increased customs charges aro n to be applied to silk fabrics, velvets, rll bons, embroideries, wheat, flour, anthr cite coal, lines, twlnei, sugar, tobacc news print paper, newspaper presse typo-setters and casters. America FRENCH RESUME OFFENSIVE TO FORCE FOE ACROSS RHIN Hostile Armies in Battle for Posse' sion of Vosges Passes. PARIS, Feb., 11 Tho campaign for possession of tl Vosges passes and tho main roads In' Upper Alsaco lias been resumed despl tho heavy snow. Tho Germans are being bombarded wit long-rnngo heavy nrtlllcry, brought v during tho lull of tho last fortnight, a: nn offensive Is being Initiated that Is e; nected to glvo the French possession c various strategic points necessary to begl tho drive of tho Kaisers forces norti ward and ncross tho Rhine. Kaiser nt Poland Front BERLIN, Feb. 12. Emperor Wllllai left again today for the eastern thcati of war. It lg ofllclally announced. , rs f,f iglg5ai
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers