Evening star., 1915-02-21
WATCH AND WAIT
TO Be j. s. POLICY
|NSEA WAR ZONE
Stands Firmly Upon Warning
Against Sinking of Ameri-
can Ships by Submarines.
HOLDS ENGLAND LIABLE
FOR MISUSE OF FLAG
No Further Communication to Be
Sent Either Berlin or Lon
don on Subject
STUDYING NOTE OF BRITAIN
Rejoinder Regarding Cargoes Seized
Likely to Be Forwarded to Sir
Edward Grey to Clarity
Shipping Status.
HOLDS ENGLAND LIABLE
FOR MISUSE OF FLAG
No Further Communication to Be
Sent Either Berlin or Lon
don on Subject.
STUDYING NOTE OF BRITAIN

While standing firmly on its
warning against destruction of
Americans lives or vessels, the
United States government has no
present intention of making a
further move in the critical situa-
tion caused by Gerlnanys threat
to wage submarine warfare
against merchant ships entering
British waters.
Officials who know the condi-
tions expect the Washington gov
ernment to preserve a condition
OF watchful waiting until some
overt act impels decisive course.
This was indicated in high Off
cial quarters last night after the
official texts of the communica-
tlons had been read. The docu-
ments will be further examined,
however, to determine whether
there is anything in either note
which, ii not answered now, might
be construed later as an admis-
Sion
Holds British and Germans Liable.
AIN objecting to any general use of the
k~1s~s
communication from England was not
regarded as altering the original warn
ing Of the United States against the
measure of responsibility which would
seem to be imposed on England If any
American vessels or lives were lost as
q result of such general practice, al
though the denial of any intention to
make frequent use of the neutral en-
sign was reassuring to officials.
The American government already
1t was pointed out, has stated in en-
phatic language that Germany would
be held to strict accountabiiity" for
any loss of American vessels "or lives"
and this warning is construed by ad-
ministration officials to be sufficiently
broad also to cover any injury to
vessels.
Think o. S. Should Wait.
Some high officials are urging. and ap-
parently convincingly, that the United
States having made itself sufficiently
clear in It's correspondence with both
Germany and Great Britain, should now
remain silent and observe develop
ments.
The arguments in both the British and
German communications charging yio-
iauons of the rules of international law
and warfare. IT is held by American gov
nj
the United States.
The breaking down of the doctrines of
international law as between belliger-
entS does not in the view of high ofa
Gals, mere. affect the status of those
rules as between the United States and
Great Britain and Germany with whom
this country is at peace.
The position of the United States is
oased on the right of neutral to de-
Inand certain treatment for its ships and
commerce regardless of the respective
actions of the belligerents
further correspondence with the
oiais on the ground that the % American can
government ought not to be drawn
into discussion of the charges which
Great Britain and Germany have made
toward each other.
Contraband Note Reply.
There is every prospect. however,
that the long British note replying to
the American protest of December %
on tho subject of contraband Will
bring forth a rejoinder from the United
States The discussion therein is one
Of the academic principles of interna :
donal law, and while officials here ad-
NIT that the commerce of the United
States has been treated since much
better by the allies than before the
protest was sent, they are unwilling to
set any precedent by acQuiescence in
several of the British contentious
The State Department of late has
received comparatively few complaints
of detentions and seizures. and the
opinion prevails among officials that
the American note has had its desired
effect
AS for the note which Great Britain
sent in the case of the American
steamer Wilhelmina. bound for Ger
many with a cargo of foodstuffs. now
held by the British prize courts, the
State Department will enter into no
further correspondence on the subject
awaiting, as has been the customary
practice, the decision of the prize court
before making diplomatic representa-
tions- The decision of the court is ex-
pected, however. to be made within a
reasonable length of time. and IL, in
the opinion of the State Department
there is a denial of justice to the
American owners, a protest will be
entered.