The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-19
FRIENDLY TONE, HOWEVER,
GIVES HOPEFUL IMPRESSION
GERMAN: DISCLAIMS ALL RE-
SPONSIBILITY FOR FATE
OF NEUTRAL SHIPS
That Venture Into Danger Zone.
Warning of Mine Laying
Viewed Seriously.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Feb. IS
Germany's reply TO the American note
OF warning against any attacks on
American vessels or lives In the new
sea zones OF war served TO increase
rather than to diminish the concern
OF oficiais OF the United States gov
ernment over possible complications.
though the friendly tone of the com
munication made a favorable impress
sion and gave some hope that an un-
derstanding for the protection OF neu-
trails might yet be obtained.
Oficials were apprehensive over
the formal statement in the note that
Germany disclaimed all responsibility
for what might happen TO neutral YES
sells venturing into the danger areas.
The additional warning. too. that
mines would be laid by Germany In
the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland was regarded by them
not only as menacing to ships carry
ing legitimate cargoes. but as likely
10 add further to the interruptions
which American commerce has suf-
fered since the outbreak OF the war
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan read the Associated Press copy
OF the German note. the Official text.
delayed In transmission from Ambas-
sadOr Gerard. being expected to-mor-
row. While no comment was made
ut either the White House or the
State Department. the feeling OF grave
concern was manifest
That other neutral countries, espe-
cially Holland and the Scandinavian
countries, are apprehensive concern
ing the situation. and have consulted
the United States, became known too
day.
In Accord With Others.
While there is no understanding
implying joint action II an yneutral
vessels are sunk, the Washington
government has made Il plain that II
is an accord with the steps already
taken by other neutral powers, copies
Of their notes and representations
having been furnished to officials
here
Secretary Bryan refused To reveal
today what steps the United States
would take II American vessels or
lives were lost and while at the state.
war and navy departments. the Ger
man note was the subject of informal
discussion generally. details OF the
policy being formulated by the Amer
lean government were not disclosed.
nat Nut 1ulltQ states Is lOOklnE
for a removal OF some OF the causes
Of the present complication In the
forthcoming answer from England to
the American note concerning the
misuse OF flags was intimated I'm some
official quarters. II was pointed out
that n categorical assurances were
given by Great Britain and her allies
that none OF their vessels would be
permitted TO fly the American OF neu-
trail flags. the safety OF American yes
sells in the war zones would be guar
anteed and German submarines would
be obliged TO visit and search neutral
vessels for contraband cargoes before
destroying them as prizes. In this
case then, ~ was added, the dangers
would be confined only to mines, the
indiscriminate laying OF which, on the
high seas, would be n subject OF pro
test by the United States unless
pilots or safe channels were given.
Suggestion impractical
The suggestion I'm the German note
that conveys OF American warships
should accompany American merch-
antmen was looked upon By officials
as Impractical because it would i'm
pose an obligation upon the United
states to guarantee the character Of
carRoes OF outgoing vessels. a require
ment not covered by eny domestic
law. Moreover, n mines were laid as
Germany announces her intentinO OF
doing. conveys In the opinion OF Amer
lean officials. would be still endanger-
cd by mines and public opinion in the
United states might be much more
seriously aroused by the destruction
of a varship than by n merchantman
In fact the disposition was 20 regard
the sowing OF mines IN large sea areas
as creating a greater menace than
submarine warfare
When mines were laid IN the North
fronafrn.h IN -. -