Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-12


accountability for such acts Of their
naval authorities, and to take any
steps it might be necessary to take
e''ty and 10 secure to Americans the
full enjoyment of their acknowledged
rights on the high seas.
The government of the United
States IL view of these considerations
which II urges with the greatest re
spect and with the sincere purpose of
making sure that no misunderstanding
may arise and no circumstances occur
that might even cloud the intercourse
Of the two governments expressed the
confident hope and expectation that the
Imperial German government can and
VIII give assurance that American cit
-Zens and their vessels will not he mo-
Tested by the naval forces Of Germany
otherwise than by visit and search,
though their vessels may be travers-
ing the sea area delimi1ed in the proc
lamation Of the German admiralty.
g Tt is asserted for the information
Of the Imperial German government
that representations have been made
to His Britannia Majesty's govern
ment in respect to the unwarranted
use Of the American flag for the pro-
lection for British ships"
February 10, 1915:
Note TO Great Britain
The secretary OF state mas instructed
Ambassador Page at London TO present
to the British government note TO the
following effect:
The department mas been advised of
10 6er -n n< he a1y ;-al- ~
on February fourth, indicating that the
British government had on Jan 31st ex-
plicitiy authorized the use of neutral
flags on British merchant vessels. pre-
sumably for the purpose OF avoiding rec
ogni,ion by German nava! forces. The
departments attention has also been d.
rected TO reports IL the press that the
captain Of the Lusitania, acting upon or
ders o. Information received from the
British authorities, raised the American
flag as his vessel approached the British
coasts in order 10 escape anticipated at
lacks py German submarines. Today's
press reports also contain an alleged
official statement Of the foreign Office.
defending The use Of the flag Of q neutral
country by bellgereut vessel IL order
TO escape capture oF2attack by an enemy.
Assuming that the foregoing reports
are true. the government Of rne United
States, reserving for future consideration
the legality and propriety OF the recep-
tive Use of the flag OF neutral power
in any case for the purpose of avoiding
capture, desires very respectfully 10
point out to His Brittanic MaJescy-s gov
eminent the serious consequences which
may result 10 American vessels and ctti-
Zens II TINS practice is continued.
The occasional use OF the flag Of a
neutral or an enemy under the stress O.
Immediate pursuit and TO deceive al az
preaching enemy, which appears by the.
press reports 10 support this action
Seems to this government very differ
ent thing from an explicit sanction by q
belligerent government for its merchant
ships generally 10 use the flag OF a neu-
trai power within certain portions o. the
high seas which are presumed 10 be fr,--
Quented with hostile warsAips. The for
mai declaration OF such d policy Of gen
eral misuse Of Z neutral's flag leopard
ICES the vessels of the neutral visiting
these waters in I peculiar degree by
raising the prasun ptIon thar lhey are Of
peliigerent nationality regardless O. u,
flag which they may carry
In view Of the announced Purpose
of the German admiralty 10 engage
N active naval operations Ill certain
determined sea areas adjacent "a the
coasts Of Great Bratain and Ireland,
the government Of the United States
would view With anxious solicitude
any general use Of the fae Of the
United States by British vessels tray
ersing those waters. a policy such
as the one which His Majestys gov
eminent is said to intend 10 aaopG
would. if the declaration of the Ger
man admiralty be put in force, i,
seems clear afford no protection 70
British vessels While il would he
serious and constant menace TO the
lives and vessels OF American c!ti-
zens.
The government Of the United
States therefore trusts that HIS Ma
lestys government will do al IN Their
power to restrain vessels Of british
nationality IN the deceptive use Of
the United States flag IL lna sd area
defined by the German declaration.
since such practice would greatly en-
danger the vessels Of q friendly power
navigating these waters and would
even seem TO impose upon the govern
ment Of Great Britain a measure Of
responsibility for the loss Of Ameri-
can lives and vessels in case Of an at
tack by a German naval force.
" on VIII impress upon His Ma
jesty's government the grave concern
which this government feels in the
circumstances in regard 10 the safe
" Of American vessels and lives in
the way zone declared by the German
admiralty.
- You may add that this government
is making earnest representations TO
the German government IN regard to
the danger TO American vessels and
citizens If the declara ton of the Ger
man admiralty is put into effect.