New Britain herald., 1915-02-06
OFFICIAL TEXT OF
 GERMAN BLOCKADE Transmitted by Gerard Differs From
 Wireless Report. IN RESPECT TO DANGER ZONE
Waters Directly Around Great Britain and Ireland Comprise Danger Areas Vessels.

Washington, D. c., Feb. D. The official text of the German ad- miralty proclamation, transmitted by Am bassador Gerard to the state de- partment today. reveals that naviga- ton routes to the north of Shetland Islands and the eastern part of the North sea. as we'll as a strip of thirty nautical miles along the Dutch coast are not in the danger zone, but that the waters directly around Great Brit ain and Ireland comprise the prohibit ed areas This differs from the pub lished report
 The wireless report of the official admiralty proclamation said ship ping nortlward around the Shetland Islands, in the eastern basin of the North sea and in a strip of at least thirty nautical miles in breadth along the Dutch coast is endangered in the same way
 The text of the same as received from Ambassador Gerard, says "Nav1- gation routes around Shetland lsl- ands, in the eastern part of the North sea, and for thirty sea miles along the Dutch coast are not open to the danger zone"
 In other respects the proclamation conforms in sense to the report of it sent to the United States by wireless, although the phraseology differs slightly
 Made Public Today. ~
 State department officials indicated that the proclamation as received from Ambassador Gerard would be made public later today. The German for eign office has accompanied the proc lamation with a long explanatory mem orandum which Ambassa dor Gerard reported he would send subsequently,
 The proclamation itself, however, according to the official text. makes it clear that 'all enemy ships found in the zone of operations" as the areas are described, will be destroyed, and points out that contingencies may arise which may make it impossible always to save passengers and crew.
 Might Strike Neutrals.
 As for neutral vessels venturing into the war zone, the proclamation points out the dangers to which they may be exposed,' in view of the misuse of neutral flags by enemy ships and declares that efforts to strike at belligerent vessels might in some cases unintentionally strike neutral vessels.
 Officials here are awaiting the Ger man foreign office memorandum be- fore taking any further steps, as they believe that may explain the points on which there Is now some doubt. If the areas prescribed by the proc Iamation are defined as within the territorial waters of Great Britain and Ireland, a different situation may arise from that which would include exten sive portions of the high seas.
 Expression May Follow.
 Unless the German memorandum eX- plains the precautions which German naval commanders will take to as- certain whether ship flying a neu- tral flag is really neutral vessel, it is; most probable that an expression from the United States government will follow, pointing out that the de- struction of neutral vessels carrying non-contraband cargoes, or the injury to their passengers, would not meet with the acquiescence of this govern ment.
 Under the rules issued to American naval commanders during the Spanish American war, destruction of enemy. or neutral ships captured on the high seas which were certain to be con- demned as prizes for carrying contra band, was permitted, but only in cases of overwhelming necessity such as possible reca pture by the enemy.
 Rules Are Explicit.
 The rules however, of international law have been explicit on the re- quirements of proving that destruc- ton of prize is an imperative neces- sity.