Evening star from Washington, District of Columbia • 1

Hip JStterting gftaf. KSS 84.7a.. No. 19,867. WASHINGTON, D.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1915-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. ONE CENT. RUSSIANS BEATEN. WIRES THE KAISER I FROMEAST FRONT; "Our Beloved East Prussia i I Free From Enemy." Ruler Declares. BATTLES STILL RAGE AT DIFFERENT POINTS: Extreme Wings of Czar's Armies Now Are Heavily Engaged With Toe.

DISORDERLY RETREAT DENIED English Press Admits Slavs Must Have Lost Believed to Have Eyes on Warsaw. BERLIN, February 18. viai president of the; province of East i'russia at Ko-i tligsberg has received the follow-' ing telegram from Emperor William. nhii has been "ii the eastern battle front: "The Russians are Completely beaten. )ur beioved ast i'russia is free from the enemy." Eastern Fighting Important.

Notwithstanding: its intense, interest In the important questions which jnow' involve shipping interests. Ens-j land has not lost sight of the military operations now in progress on both fronts. The fighting in East Prussia end Eukowina, where the two extrepie ings of the Russian army are heavily i engaged by Austro-German forces, is considered the most important activity now going on. either in the or w.t*. Petrograd dispatches insist that the Russians carried out in perfect order their retirement in East Prus- sia.

Battle Near Augustowo. An important battle is raging in the vicinity of Augustowo. where, in the fall, the Russians succeeded in stop- ping a previous German attempt to invade -Russia. Now, however, the i Muscovites have a much more serious threat to deal with, for-besides having i sent a army into East Prussia 1 tne Germans are in strong force in the district between East Prussia and the lower Vistula. Their continued advance there tvould jeopardize the Russians.

ho arc holding the trenches to i the south of the Vistula and who sue- ceeded in frustrating Field Marshal von Hindenburg's attempts to reach arsaw- from the west. Possible German Plan. The German plans are not quite clear, hut it is believed nrobahle thev still i have their eyes on Warsaw and hope by taking that city to break Russian power to resume the offensive, sc that they may be free to take more energetic steps against the allies in the west. Anticipating this possibility, the allies. during the past two days, have n.ade a vigorous attack aganst the Germans ir Flanders and France.

The outcome of this effort cannot be stated the French and German reports are in direct conflict. Russians Reinforced. Tn Bukowina the Austrians are reported to have partly surounded the Russians before Czernowitz, but the battle still is in progress and reinforcements are reaching the Russians, who have tb" advantage of undnmaged railways both to this point and to Nadworna. further west, which the Austrian? have reo'-cupied The Russians report continued progress lri the Car- pw thians The British press now concedes that the Russians must have lost heavily in their retreat in East Prussia, but the newspapers refuse to credit Field Marshal von Hindenburg with a great victory, pending the outcome of the guara action before the fortified line on the Niemer. river.

It Is argued British military experts that the German double flanking movement apparently has failed, and this view also 15 held at Pctrograd. In the Western Arena. Tn the Champagne and Argonne re- pdons in the western theater the Ger- mans seem to be putting forth all their strength to capture the ground they art reported to have lost last week. DISCUSS RIVER TERMINALS. Mississippi Valley Delegates Attend Conference in St.

Louis. LOUIS, February from most of the states In the Mississippi valley today attended a conference here on river terminals. The meeting is to last two days. Addresses were to be made by Gov. Major of Missouri and former Gov.

Kberhart of Minnesota, chairman of the gathering The sessions, today were devoted largely to reports on river terminal work in various cities, including Minneapolis, Kansas City, New Orleans and Davenport. DAY IN CONGRESS. Senate. Met at noon. "Leaders conferred on some plan for considering the appropriation measures and the administration ship bill.

The committee investigating charges of Influence against the ship bill continu'ed taking testimony. House. Met at 11 a.m. Dvbatt- was continued on the pension! ppropriation bill. 1 fortifications bill, carrying more man million dollars exclusive of he Panama canal, was reported to the Aiouse for action I i NO EXTRA SESSION IS THE LATEST TIP President Is Said to Have Changed Mind for Several Reasons.

WOMEN MAKE PROTEST AGAINST WAR EXPORTS Present Petition Signed by 28.000 in i All Parts of to See Moving Pictures. bier tip from an influential man percolated through Washington today that there will be no extra session of Congress. regardless of the fate of the shipping bill in the Senate. The information been accepted as absolutely correct by those who know where it ea.ne from, ami can be relied upon, it i is stated. The Pre? idem has steadfastly declined to state what he will do on this question, although a week ago he told I two congressional callers that if the shipping bill did not become law by March he v.

as practically upon an extra session. Reasons Advanced. His change of mind is said to be due i to a number of reasons: first, that If the country is eventu- 1 ally disposed to place blame for failure to pass the bill blame will fall the republicans, the democrats i having done everything within their; power to force it through. Second, the country wants a rest from ai-1: lion. Third, that business is likely to be more satisfied with no Congress and less agitation than if the shipping bill had passed.

Fourth, that the continual talk about the purchase of belligerent vessels adds to the increasing feeling over the European war that is daily mani- festing itself, due to incidents and happenings abroad and to a number of other reasons. No decision has been" reached to drop efforts for the passage of the bill between now and March 4. hut these effortsmust take second place to the appropriation bills, which the Senate! is expected to take up at almost any moment. Confers With Congressmen. The President's conferences with con-J gressional callers today did not relate) to the shipping bill, but to other matters.

mostly patronage. Senators Lee of Maryland, Lea of Tennessee, Owen of Oklahoma. Huehes of New Jersey and Thompson of Kansas saw the President, but the shipping bill was not taken up with him. Representative Fitzgerald, one of the House leaders. also saw the President, but he accompanied Representative Calder to the White House to invite the President to attend the" Sunday school festivities in Brooklyn June 10.

visitors told the President that every President in recent years" had witnessed the event. Mr. Wilson saul that he will attend if business at that time will permit. With Senator Uwtn was C. J.

Owens of the Southern Commercial Congress, and the President was again urged to stop at Muskogee, during his continental trip and attend the gathering of the National Uotarians. Oppose Arms Exports. A delegation of women from different parts of the country, headed by Mrs. F. Arnold, widow of Dr.

G. Arnold of this city, called on President Wilson today and laid before him a petition signed by nearly 28,000 women in all parts of the country urging him "to do whatever lies in your power to discourage and prevent the unprincipled exportation of arms and ammunition to belligerent nations, in which business a few of the inhabitants of the i United States are now engaged, and whereby the terrible slaughter in i those unfortunate countries is decid- edly prolonged and unnecessary mis- ery, suffering and death brought to countless men, women and children. "We, as women, feel that human life is too sacred to be bartered away for purely mercenary reasons, and cannot refrain from appealing to your excel lencv aiii us in securing such action i by our povprnmfit as will prevent few people in this country from pro-I longing the war and enriching them- selves on the blood of their fellowmen." Delighted With Reception. The signatures are largely those of German-Americans, but the members of the delegation told the President that they are Americans. They were delighted with their reception by the President, who told them he would give the matter most serious consideration.

At the same time lie called attention to tffe many embarrassments now surrounding the American government in its dealings with the nations at war and the necessity that every proposition should be approached with great care. President to See Movies. President Wilson and his family, with probably a few members of the cabinet, tonight will witness, in the east room of the White House, what has several times been described as the greatest piece of moving picture drama in the world. It is "The Birth of a Nation," by D. W.

Griffith. The exhibition will be the first made this side of the Pacific coast, the play having had its initial performance at Los Angeles. The White House performance is to be strictly informal, no invitations having been issued, and only members of the family and a few intimate friends vvill witness it. Preparations for the performance have been made 'II! JI c. Tlx interest in the which i- said to contain 13.500 feet of til in.

and will run through three hours i or more, is due to the threat lesson of pea-re It teaches. The story is based upon Dixon's "The Clansman." Dixon was a schoolmate of President Wilson and is an Intimate friend. Prisoners From the Strathroy Land. NEW YORK. February American steamship Caracas, in today from San Juan and other West Indian ports, brought twenty.two Chinese who were prisoners aboard the interned prize British steamer Farn, which was captured by the German cruiser Karlsruhe.

The Chinese were members of the crew of the British steamship Strathroy. captured by the Karlsruhe last September, and transferred to the Farn. which was held when she later put into San Juan. They were sent to Bills Island, where they will be held until their cmoes can be disposed of. SHIP SAFETY FEARS CAUSE WORRY HERE Admitted in Official Circles War Zone Situation Fraught With Gravity.

CALL WARSHIP CONVOY AN IMPRACTICAL 10EA German Press Hostility to U. S. Continues. Although Berlin Government Friendly. fear the safety of American shippingas a result of the submarine warfare against merchant ships in British waters threatened by Germany overshadowed today interest in the publication of the full text of Great Britain's reply to the American government's protest against interference with United States commerce.

The time limit set by Germnay for enforcing her proclamation expired last midnight. Meanwhile the United States awaited the official reply of Germany to the American note of protest against the submarine decree. This afternoon, the official text of the German reply had not reached Washington, but another message was received from Ambassador Gerard giving an outline of it. Evidently his dispatch had been sent before the official text had been converted into the diplomatic code and started on its way to America. Administration officials read the text as transmitted in the foregoing dispatches.

and while declining to comment until the official text had been received. they apparently were gratified communication. i U. S. Exhausted Efiorts.

Resting confident in the belief that the United States government lias done all that it can for the pYotection ot American life and shipping in the socalled war zone around the British Isles by serving notice upon Germany that she would be held responsible tor any loss, the officials of the State Department have now settled dowp to await developments. Secretary Bryan went early to the White House for a conference with 1'resident Wilson. They discussed the neutral shipping situation generally, the British note published this morning and the unofficial outline of Germany's answer. It is beyond the power of the government to restrain an American ship captain from taking his vessel into the war zone, as there is no law on the statute books that prohibits America ships from freely navigating the open seas outside of territorial waters. It is assumed that all mariners, including Americans, have taken notice of the German warning, which it is ob Vita to llflTiafl VJOUSjy illipruyci lui mc Livuw ment to transmit officially, because to do so might be construed as an admission of the right of the German government to adopt that course.

None of the officials, however, are looking for news of a wholesale torpedoing of merchant shipping. It was regarded as inconceivable that the British government had not adopted precautions to thwart the German design as far as the most powerful navy in the world could bring that to pass. England's Contentions. Great Britain's answer says that if American commerce Js depressed "the cause ought, in fairness, to be sought elsewhere than in the activities of the British fleet." It further states that "in any country in which there exists such a tremendous organisation for war as obtains in Germany, there is no clear division between those whom the government is responsible for feeding and whom it is not." While officials at the White House what might be done if any American vessels or lives should be lost in the war zones, it was admitted on all sides that the situation was fraught with many grave possibilities. Ambassador Gerard's dispatches continued to give the text of anti-American editorials being printed in semiofficial papers in Germany.

Officials of the Washington government, however, were confident of th? ir rights and pointed out that a position similar to that of the United States had been adopted by practically all the other neutrals of the world. Representatives of the German government are entirely friendly in their conferences with Ambassador Gerard, and there is nothing to show that officially there has been any change in the good relations which have hitherto existed. The manner of carrying out the submarine campaign is awaited here with considerably anxiety. It was hoped that on account of the fact that negotiations were still pending with neutral governments the German proclamation would not actually be carried into effect for a few days, although scheduled to he put into force last midnight. Many American vessels will be In the war zones in the next few clays, having left the United States before the German proclamation was made public, and these will be afforded.

it is believed, an opportunity to reach their destinations. Convoy Plan Impracticable. The recent suggestion from German sources that American merchantmen might escape attack and secure safety If uonvoyed by an American warship has not met with approval in naval circles here. It was pointed out that no naval captain would be willing to assume full responsibility for the; non-contraband character of the cargo any American ship which might fall in with his vessel and claim his protection. as an adequate search of the merchantman on the high seas would be out of the question.

Furthermore, it is sugge sted, that the threatened British retaliation for the German war zone order may be the issue of notice of a blockade of the German coast. In that case not even an American man-of-war would have the vi.vfr.# uu 1 lr 1 ill alrina much less with a convoy of merchant ships. Formal notice by the British of the blockade and recognition of it by the United States would of course at once remove from the lield of diplomatic negotiations all questions relating to the right of neutral nations to send cargoes of food to the civil population of the blockaded state. HEARINGS TO 00 ON HERE. Inquiry Into Charges Against Jndge Dayton to Be Resumed Monday.

Hearings in the investigation of charges against Federal Judge A. G. Dayton of West Virginia will be resumed here Monday by the subcommittee of the House Judiciary committee. which arrived here today after holding hearings In West Virginia. Judge Dayton is expected to appear Monday, and the committee will consider the advisability of calling former President Theodore Roosevelt, who appointed Judge Dayton to the ASc I Text of Ge to the The text of the German govern create a "war zone" of the waters "The imperial government has examined the communication from the United States government in the same spirit of good will and friendship by which the communication appears to have been dictated.

"The imperial government is in accord with the United States government that for both parties it is in a high degree desirable to avoid misunderstandings which might arise from measures announced by the German admiralty and to provide against the occurrence of incidents which might trouble the friendly relations which so far happily exist between the two governments. Measure of Self-Defense. "With regard to the assuring of these friendly relations, the German government believes that it may all the more reckon on a full understanding with the United States as the procedure announced by the German admiralty, which was fully explained in the note of the 4th instant, is in no way directed against, legitimate commerce and legitimate shipping of neutrals, but represents solely a measure of self-defense, Imposed on Germany by her vital interests, against England's method of warfare, which is contrary to international law and which so far no protest by neutrals lias succeeded in bringing back to the generally recognized principles of law as ex isung neiore me ouiureaK or war. "In order to exclude all doubt regarding the cardinal points the German government once more begs leave to state liow things stand. Until now Germany has scrupulously observed valid international rules regarding naval warfare.

At the very beginning of the war Germany Immediately agreed to the proposal of the American government to ratify the new declaration of London, and took over its contents unaltered, and without formal obligation, into her prize law. Indictment of England. "The German government has obeyed these rules, even when they were diametrically opposed to her military interests. For instance, Germany allowed the transportation of provisions to England from Denmark until today, though she was well able, by her sea forces, to prevent it. In contra distinction to this attitude, England has not even hesitated at a second infringement of international law, if by such means she could paralyze the.

peaceful commerce of Germany with neutrals. The German government will be the less obliged to enter into details, as these are put down sufficiently, though not exhaustively, in the American note to the British government dated December as a result or nve months experience. "All these encroachments have been made, as has been admitted, in order to cut off all supplies from Germany, and thereby starve her peaceful civil procedure contrary to all humanitarian principles. Neutrals have been unable to prevent the interruption of their commerce with Germany, which is contrary to international laws. The American government, as Germany readily acknowledges, has protested against the British procedure.

Wilhelmina Case Cited. "In spite of these protests and protests from other neutral states, i Great Britain could not be induced to depart from the course of action she had decided upon. Thus, for instance, the American ship Wilhelmina recently was stopped by the British, although her cargo was destined solely for the German civil population, and, according to the express declaration of the German creek and Park 1 zmM-i -v- i rman Note iment's reply to the American note around Great Britain is as follows government. was to be employed only for this purpose. "Germany is as good as cut off from her overseas supply by the silent or protesting toleration of neutrals, not only in regard to such goods as are absolute contraband, but also in regard to such, as, according to acknowledged law before the war, are only conditional contraband or not contra band at all.

Great Britain, on the other hand, is with the toleration of neutral governments not only supplied with such goods as are not contraband or only conditional contraband. but with goods which are regarded by Great Britain, if sent to Germany, as absolute contraband; namely, provisions, industrial raw materials, and even with goods which have always indubitably been regarded as absolute contraband. Charges Traffic in Arms. "The German government feels itself obliged to point out with the greatest emphasis that a traffic in arms, estimated at many hundreds of millions, is being carried on between American Anns and Germany's enemies. Germany fully comprehends that the practice of right and the toleration of wrong on the part of neutrals are matters absolutely at the discretion of neutrals, and involve no formal violation of neutrality.

Germany, therefore, did not complain of any formal violation of neutrality, but the German government, in view of complete evidence before it, cannot help pointing out that it, together with the entire public opinion of Germany, feels itself to be severely prejudiced by the fact that neutrals in safeguarding their rights in legitimate commerce with Germany according to international law. have, up to the present, achieved no, or only insignificant. results, while they are making unlimited use of their right by carrying on contraband traffic with Great Britain and our other enemies. If it is a formal right of neutrals to take no steps to protect their legitimate trade with Germany and even to allow themselves to be influenced in the direction of the conscious and willful restriction of their trade, on the other hand they have the perfect right, which they unfortunatelj' do not exercise, to cease contraband trade, especially in arms, with Germany's enemies. "In view of this situation Germany.

after six months of patient waiting, sees herself obliged to answer Great Britain's murderous method of naval warfare with sharp counter measures. If Great Britain in her fight against Germany summons hunger as an ally, for the purpose of imposing upon a civilized people of seventy millions the choice between destitution and starvation or submission to Great Britain's commercial will, then Germany today is determined to take up the gantlet and appeal to similar allies. Equal Treatment Asked. "Germany trusts that the neutrals who so far have submitted to the disadvantageous consequences of Great Britain's hunger war in silence, or merely in registering a protest, will display toward Ger tion, even if German measures, like those of Great Britain, present new terrors of naval warfare. "Moreover, the German government is resolved to suppress with all means at its disposal the importation of war material to Great Britain and and she takes it for granted that neutral governments, which so far have taken no steps against the traffic in arms with Germany's enemies, will not oppose forcible suppression by Germany of this trade.

"Acting from this point of view, the German admiralty proclaimed a naval war zone whose limits it exactly defined. Germany, so far as possible, will seek to close this war zone with mines, and will also endeavor to destroy hostile merchant vessels in every other way. While the German government in taking action based upon this overpowering point ot view Keeps Itself Iar 4 in Reply ne" Protest of protest against the proposal to I removed from all intentional deI struction of neutral lives and propj erty, on the other hand, it does not fail to recognise that from the action to he taken against Great Britain dangers arise which threaten all trade within the war zone, without distinction. This Is a natu! ral result of mine warfare, which I even under the strictest observance of the limits of international law endangers every ship approaching the mine area. Responsibility Disclaimed.

"The German government consid! ers itself entitled to hope that all neutrals will acquiesce in these measures as they have done in the case of the grievous damages inflicted upon them by British measures. all the more so as Germany is resolved, for the protection of neui tral shipping even in the naval war zone, to do everything which is at i all compatible with the attainment I of this object. "In view of the fact that Germany gave the first proof of her good will in fixing a time limit of not less than I fourteen days before the execution of I said measures, so that neutral shipping might have an opportunity of making arrangements to avoid threatening danger, this can most, surely be i achieved by remaining away from the naval war zone. Neutral vessels, which, despite this ample notice, which greatly affects the achievement of our aims in our war against Great Britain, enter these closed waters will themselves bear the responsibility for any unfortunate accidents that may occur. Germany disclaims all responsibility for such accidents and their Aimed Only at Enemy Ships.

"Germany has further expressly announced the destruction of all enemy merchant vessels found with in war zune, dui not me aestruction of all merchant vessels, as the United States seems erroneously to have understood. This restriction which Germany imposes upon Itself is prejudicial to the aim of our warfare, especially as in the application of the conception of contraband practiced by Great Britain toward conception will now also be similarly interpreted by presumption will be that neutral ships have contraband aboard. Germany naturallj' is unwilling to renounce its rights to ascertain the presence of contraband in neutral vessels, and in certain cases to draw conclusions therefrom." "Germany is ready, finally, to deliberate with the United States concerning any measures which might secure the safety of legitimate shipping of neutrals in the war zone. Germany cannot, however, forbear to point out that all its efforts in this direction may be rendered very difficult by two circumstances; first, the misuse of neutral flags by British merchant vessels, is indubitably known to the United States; second, the contraband trade already mentioned, especially in war materials, on neutral vessels. Hopes for "Real "Regarding the latter point.

Ger- I many would fain hope that the uinwu uvatco auti luriner consiaeration will come to a conclusion corresponding: to the spirit of real neutrality regarding: the first point. The secret order of the British admiralty recommending to British merchant ships the use of neutral flags has been communicated by Germany to the United States and confirmed by communication from the British foreign office, which designates this procedure as entirely unobjectionable and in accordance with British law. British merchant shipping immediately followed this advice, as doubtless Is known to the American government from the Incidents of the Lusitania and the Laertes. "Moreover, the British government has supplied arms to British merchant ships and instructed them (Continued on Second Page.) GERMAN REP FIRM STANI WASHING! 11 Insists on Necessit and Renews HI Neutral I BERLIN DECLARES. WILL TO! By WirWass to Tbo Star.

BERLIN, via Sayville, Fel admiralty information bureau ment: "We have received inform of England to torpedo the firsl and charge this to the German The Vossische Zeitung, story from its Hamburg corr interests there fear such action BERLIN, via London, Februa the protest of the United States ag is couched in the most friendly ten tion of Germany as already announ The answer, which is a lengtl code at the United States embassy Gerard, and has been transmitted i A Policy of Retaliation. The note explains that Germany's proposed action is rendered necessary by Great Britain's policy of attempting to cut off the food supply for the German civil population by a method never recognized in international law. England's course in ordering merchantmen to fly neutral flags, equipping them with artillery with orders to destroy submarines, the German reply contends, renders nugatory the right of search, thus giving Germany the right to attack English shipping. Germany holds that she cannot abandon that right under the stress which England has forced upon Iter. Makes Claim of Necessity.

Since Germany must compel the nations with which she is at war to return to the recogniied principles of international law and restore the freedom of the seas, she argues that the stand she hae taken is necessary The note recommends that the United States government send warships to BLOCKADE OF EN NO SHIPS LONDON, February 18. 12:47 p.m.? The blockade of the United Kingdom by Germany is on, for with the dawn of February 18 there went into effect the German notice warning neutral shipping to avoid British waters. What will be the effect of this declaration will take a day or two to demonstrate. British shipping interests profess to feel no alarm; nevertheless, all passenger traffic from England to Holland has been tied up. The lines to Scandinavia, now ever, suu wuunur run.

The cross-channel services have announced that their schedules will be maintained as usual. Interest in German Note. In the meantime the British public is perusing the German note answering the American communication concerning the war zone one blockade. Tt perceives no yielding on the part of the imperial government, and it now awaits the pronouncement of Great Britain's expected retaliatory campaign. Just as the countryside was placarded with descriptions and cuts of the British and German aircraft when air raids were uppermost in the public mind, illustrations showing British and German cub- marines are now being distributed to acquaint the skippers or merchant vessels with the appearance of their own and hostile under-sea vessels, so that they will not fire on or mm a British submersible by mistake.

Would Arm Merchantmen. In many quarters the demand is in- creasing that masters of chips held up or threatened by submarines should be al- 1 lowed to use offensive measures and van- 1 ous private rewards totaling several thousand pounds still stand to be taken 1 down by the first British skipper destroy- COMMENT IN BER SHOWS BERLIN, February IS, via London, i 12:20 p.m.?Count von Reventlow. the i German naval critic, comments in today's issue of the Tages Zeitung on the answer of the German government to the American note on the subject of -nnp nrniind flrpa lie marine Britain. 1 The writer declares that the tone of the German note, in spite of the tone 0 of the American communication, shows I that Germany is prepared to go to the utmost limits compatible with the sit- uation. No fault can be found with the declaration in the German answer, 1 Count von Reventlow declares, that the German government, like the Amer- lean, desires to pravent occurrences LY TAKES AGAINST ON PROTEST of "War Zone" farning to All Ihipping.

BRITISH IPEDO U. S. SHIP bnury head of the morning made this stateaton that it is the intention incoming American steamer submarines." erlin, this morning carries a espondent declaring shipping HERBERT COREY. ry reply of Germany to ainst a blockade of British waters ms, but firmly maintains the posiiced. ty document, was converted into under the direction of Ambassador full to Washington.

England to convoy merchant vessels through the danger zone as security against attack, with the understanding that vessels thus guarded shall carry no war supplies. Hope is expressed that the American government will understand the position In which Germany has been placed and appreciate the reasons for its course. Asks U. -S. Influence.

The reply closes with an expression of the hope that United States may prevail upon Great Britain "to return to the principles of international law recognized prior to the outbreak of the war," and in particular obtain the observance of the London declaration by belligerents opposed to Germany. If this were done, the note explains, Germany ould be enabled to import food supplies and raw materials. Germany would recognlre in this, says the an invaluable service toward a more human conduct of the war and would act in accordance with the new situation thus created. GLAND IS ON; FOR HOLLAND Ing a hostile submarine. It Is not known what the admiralty instructions to skippers are, although a hint of what is expected of them was found in the recent decoration of the captain of the British steamer Laertes, who refused to surrender to a German submersible.

There has been no increase lit insurance rates, and. in fact, government actually has reduced rat's tor fishing vessels, at the same time having arranged to pay compensation to sailors may be injured as ih" esuit of hostilities. There has been increase in the price of coal and in freights, but this is due entirely to increased demand, particularly from Italy, together with a shortage of ships. No Reply to Holland. Neither Great Britain nor Germany, as far as is known, has yet replied to the Dutch notes of protest, respectively, against the use of neutral flags and the sea war zone.

The Dutch shippers have decided to ask the Netherlands government to penalize foreign vessels entering Dutch ports under the Dutch flag. Telegraphing from Copenhagen, the Daily Mail's correspondent says he learns from Hamburg that the belief prevails there that Emperor William is going to Helgoland personally to direct Germbany's submarine blockade. "The wheat shortage in the correspondent adds, "was concealed until the last moment for tear of discouraging the people. It is much, greater than has hitherto been believed. Germany will only escape famine before the next harvest by a narrow margin." dispatch from Copenhagen says that Germany's reply to joint note 5f the Scandinavian powers on the blockade question has been received, but no announcement has been made is yet regarding: its contents.

The Danish commercial and political was discussed yesterday at a session of parliament. 1IN ON NOTE ESS TOWARD U. S. which could disturb existing friendly Bitter Against United States. "One can read only with pleasure hose parts of the German answer vhich refer to American supplies to England and France," the writer 'We add to this that these shipments weapons to our enemies have filled opinion in Germany with deep ndignation and bitterness against the Jnited States.

Statistics of the amount these shipments show that the (lornans are not now justified in speakng of friendly relations." Count von Reventlow then refers to he government's assumption that do not intend to oiler oppositions tha forcible suppression, ft A.