expressed in Italy, Holland, and Denmark; text of the decree is
submitted to the United States State Department by Ambassador Gerard.

Feb. 9--Some European neutrals intend to have the names of their ships
printed in huge letters on ships' sides and the national colors painted
on.

Feb. 11--The State Department makes public the text of the American
note, dated Feb. 10, sent to Ambassador Gerard for delivery to the
German Government; the note is firm but friendly, and tells Germany that
the United States will hold her "to a strict accountability" should
commanders of German vessels of war "destroy on the high seas an
American vessel or the lives of American citizens."

Feb. 12--Ambassador Gerard delivers the American note to the German
Foreign Secretary and has a long conference with him.

Feb. 13--The German Legation at The Hague warns neutral vessels against
entering the war zone; German Foreign Office comments on the friendly
tone of the American note; Germany has requested the United States to
advise ship owners to man vessels sailing to German ports with subjects
of neutral States.

Feb. 15--Germany communicates to the United States through Ambassador
von Bernstorff a preliminary answer to the American note; Germany would
be willing to recede from her decree if England would permit foodstuffs
to enter Germany for use by the civilian population; the preliminary
answer is cabled to Ambassador Page for presentation to the British
Foreign Office as a matter of information; Italy and Holland protest to
Germany against war zone decree; Winston Churchill, in Parliament, hints
at retaliation.

Feb. 18--Germany replies to American note; reply is friendly in tone,
but its substance causes concern in Washington; Germany still disclaims
responsibility for fate of neutral vessels in war zone; war zone decree
now in effect; ships are moving in and out of British ports as usual;
Norwegian steamer Nordcap is blown up by a mine.

Feb. 19--German submarines torpedo Norwegian tanker Belridge near
Folkestone and French steamer Denorah off Dieppe; British Government
suspends passenger travel between England and the Continent; Irish
Channel services are continued, and it is said that the ships may fly
the Irish flag.

Feb. 20--British steamer Cambank sunk by submarine in Irish Sea;
Norwegian steamer Bjarka sunk by mine off Denmark; it is reported that
hundreds of armed merchant ships are hunting for German submarines.

Feb.