Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-03
PEACEFUL SHIPS
SHOULD AVOID
THE NORTH SEA
British Government Warns
Merchant Vessels Against
Danger From Mines Planted
by Bel|igerentS,


London, Nov U1:i5 p. m.)--The
entire North sea has been declared a
military area and merchant vessels
entering II will be exposed to the grav-
est dangers from the mines and from
the warships which are searching by
night and day for suspicious craft.
This action has been taken as re-
ply TO the laying of mines by the
Germans in the waters north OF Ire
land.
The secretary of the admiralty to-
night made the following announce
ment OF the virtual closing of the
North sea to traffic:
During the last week the Germans
have scattered mines Unfortunately
route from America TO Liverpool via
the North of Ireland
Peaceful Ships Blown W.
Peaceful merchant ships already
have been blown up with loss OF life
w this agency. The White Star liner
Olympic escaped disaster by pure
good luck and but for warnings given
by British cruisers other British
and neutral merchant and passenger
vessels would have been destroyed.
These mines cannot have been laid
By any German ship OF war. They
have been laid by some merchant YES
sci flying a neutral flag which has
come along the trade route as If for
purposes Of peaceful commerce and,
while profiting to the fullest by the
integrity enjoyed by neutral merchant
ships, has wantonly and recklessly en-
dangered the lives of all who travel
the sea.
Measures Necessary.
I'm these circumstances. having re-
gard to the great interests entrusted
to the British navy. to the safety OF
peaceful commerce on the high seas
and the maintenance within the limits
OF international law of trade between
neutral countries, the admiralty feel
il necessary to adopt exceptional
measures, appropriate to the novel
conditions under which this war is be-
ing waged
They therefore give notice that the
whole of the North sea must be con-
sidered military area. Within this
area merchant shipping of all kinds.
traders Of all countries, fishing craft
and other vessels will be exposed to
the gravest dangers from mines which
il has been necessary to lay and from
warships searching vigilantly by night
and by day for suspicious craft
"All merchant and fishing vessels
of every description are hereby
warned OF the dangers they encounter
by entering this area. except in strict
accordance with admiralty directions.
Every effort will be made to convey
this warning TO neutral countries ana
to vessels on the sea but from the
fifth of November EDWARDS the admir-
atty announces that all ships passing
a line drawn from northern point
from the Hebrides through the Far
moe islands to Iceland do so at their
own peril.
ships of all countries wishing to
trade to and from Norway, the Baltic,
Denmark and Holland are advised to
come. If inward bound, by the Eng
lish channel and the Straits of Dover
There they will be given sailing direcl
tons which will pass them safely, so
far as Great Britain Is concerned up
the east coast of England to Farne
island, whence safe route Will, II
possible be given to Lindesnas light
house.
From this point they should turn
north or south. according to their des-
tination, keeping as near the coast as
possible. The converse applies to yes
sells outward bound.
by strict adherence to these routes
the commerce of all countries VIII be
able to reach its destination in safety
so far as Great Britain is concerned
but any straying, even for few miles,
from the course thus indicated may
be followed by fatal consequences"