Today -100: July 23, 1915: And worth every penny

John Wanamaker, president of the Philadelphia branch of the National Security League, proposes that the US buy Belgium from Germany for $100 billion, then give it its freedom. Belgium’s good for the money, he says.

The US sends its final note to Germany on submarine warfare. Basically, it says that the continuance of cordial relations between the two countries depends on Germany not blowing up US ships or killing Americans on other ships unless in accordance with the rules of war. No further response from Germany is expected or desired, just, you know, not blowing up US ships etc. “Repetition by the commanders of German naval vessels of acts in contravention of those rights must be regarded by the Government of the United States, when they affect American citizens, as deliberately unfriendly.”

Today -100’s Notable Deaths:

1) Inez Vernon, widow of George Vernon, who died on the Lusitania, commits suicide.

2) Henry Clay Ford, manager of Ford’s Theatre at the time of Lincoln’s assassination. He was married to the actress who played the female lead in the first US production of H.M.S. Pinafore.

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