Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-10
WILL NOT PROTEST
ON FLAG INCIDENT
Administration Says Practice is Too
Common to Call for Any For
NAL Objection
GREAT INDIGNATION IN FRANCE

WASHINGTON, Feb. s.--Ambas-
sador Page at London today notified
the State department that the Brit
ish foreign office had confirmed to
him the press reports announcing
the flying OF the American flag over
the Cunarder Lusitania on its recent
trip across the Irish sea. MT Page
also included in his dispatch the text
Of the press report Of the occurrence.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The ad-
miuistration view of the hosting Of
the American flag on the British
steamship Lusitania, (as stated today
on the highest authority, Is that the
OF other flags by ships of of-nations at
war is such "a customary practice
thRt no formal protest can be made,
but that it viii be proper to send TO
Great Britain note pointing out the
dangers to neutral shipping which
may follow II suchsa practice is con-
tinued. s~g $50
Hffat
! zGresf andignation In. France,
PARIS, Feb. s--Tlie parasraph In ths
uerman niemorahdum sent % tho Upited
States government declaring der1nany's
naval forces have been Instructed to
abstai as far as possinble from damaging
neutral ships. the French press, declares.
did not appear In the original text pub
lished in the Reich Anzeigers OF Berlin.
IL Is considered by the papers here that
no matter what apparent restrictions may
be added to the operations OF the navy.
the document constitutes an intolerabie
menace to neutrais on the part Of Ger
many. The opinion is expressed that the
Washington administration win protest to
Berlin.
Regarding the establishment OF war
zone by Germany sfound the British
isles President Wilson said today he waa
awaiting the German governments mem
oTandum. being forwarded BY AmhAssa-
dor Gerard before reaching decision on
what attitude to take. He said Ger
manys first proclamation on the subject
contained many questions on which the
I United States would like further explana-
tion. The president takes the view that
the war zone proclaimed by Germany
tdoes not constitute blockade or even a
paper blockade. He states that Il was
simply a, warning. 6
| The president himself said that action
by congress could not control the use OF
the American flag by foreign sllips. and
that restrictions on such practices would
have to come through International agree
ment.
President Wilson told callers that up
to 1.-THE present. no other neutral govern
ments have asked officially the co-opera.
ton OF the United States.
Discussing the general international
situation. President. Wilson said he was
not surprised at the length Of time taken
by Great Britain IN forwarding it's final
reply 70 the American note. on the inter
ference with American, shipping.
All Neutral ships warned.
NEW YORK. FEB. s.--AII ships. regard
less OF nationality. arriving or leaving
English ports are officially advised by
the Rritlsh admiralty TO proceed with
caution and watch out for German mines
/ OF submarines while in English waters
according. to officers OF the steamship
PHILADELPHIA. here today .ffom LdverpooI
Incoming vessels" said one OF the
Officers. are warned by radio messages
ar possible danger, and masters OF out
going ships receive notice OF suspected
danger before they leave port"