New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-12

The government NA taIH
States. in view OF these consldeIa-
tions, which IL urges win the
greatest respect and with the sun
cere purpose OF making sure that
no Misunderstanding may arise and
70 circumstance occur that mIEh'
even cloud the intercourse OF the
two governments, expresses ,he
confident hope and expectation that
the imperial German government
can and will give assurance thet
American citizens and their Nesseis
will not be molestod by the haNa'
forces Of Germany. Otherwise man
bv visit and search, though their
vessels NAV be traversing the sea
area dclimitcd Do the proclamation
Of the German Admiralty.
II is added for the Information
Of the imperial government that
concentrations have been made 10
his Britannia Majesty's govern
rnent in respect 10 the unwarranted
use of the American flag for the
protection Of British ships.
Under the same date the Secretary
Of State instructed Ambassador rage
at London to present TO the British
a note 90 the 1910" INe
effect:
The department has been ad-
vised Of the declaration OF the
German Admiralty on February
indicating that the British govern
ment had on January 81 explicitly
authorized the use OF neutral hagS
on British merchant vessels, pres
umahly for the purpose OF avoid
ING recognition by German naval
fo~ces The department atten-
lion has also been directed 70 re
norts IN the press that the captain
Of the Lusitania, acting upon
orders or information received
fron the British authorities
raised the American flag as ms
vessel approached the British
coasts. IT. order to escape anuc'-
nated attacks by German suDmaT-
mes. To-day's press reports also
contain an alleged Official state
r,cDt Of the Foreign Office defend
nc the use Of the flag OF a neu-
trail country by belllgerent yes
sol in order 10 escape capture or
attack by an enemy
Warns Of Consequences.
Assuming that the FORGING reports,
ave true. the government Of the Inhed
States. reserving for future conslGera'
ton the legality and proprety OF 'he
dceeptive use Of the flag OF neutra,
rovser in any case for the purpose oil
svoiding capture. desires very respec
S,SIv 20 Doint out to His Britannia
Ja;estv's government the serious con
scoueuces which may result 70 AmeFi
Gov vessels and American c!tlzehs J.
this practice is continued.
The occasional use Of the nag oil
neutral or an enemy under the sliee
of immediate pursuit and TO deceive
An approaching enemy, which appear
nv the press reports to be represente'
as the precedent and justification use'
IN support this action, seems TO thl'
government q very different thing IRON
an eIplicit sanction by i belligeren
government for its merchant ships gen
srally 10 ny the flag of neutral p0"ei
.itbjn certain portions Of the high seas
which are presumed to be frequentet
with hostile warships. The lorna
declaration Of such a policy OF gen
eral misuse Of a neutral's flag leopard
,zes the vessels Of the neutral Visltlht
those waters in a peculiar degree o!
raising the presumption that they are
Of beligerent nationality, regardless
of the flag which they may carry.
In view of the announced purpose Of
the German Admiralty TO engage 1T
active naval operations in certain DE
limited sea areas adjacent to the coasts
Of Great Britain and Ireland, the gov
eminent Of the United States Woul(
view with anxious soliCitude any gen
eraI use of the flag of the United
states bv British vessels traversint
those waters. 4 policy such as The
one which his maiesty's government Il
said TO intend To adopt would, II I'M
declaration Of the German Admiralty
ne mt in force, il seems clear, anort
no protection 10 British vessels, while
IL would be a serious and constant men
ace 10 the lives and vessels OF Amerl
can citizens.
The government Of the United States
therefore. trusts that his majesty
government will do all in their powc'
:, restrain vessels Of British nation
ality in the deceptive use OF the Onlte'
States flag in the sea area defined b!
the German declaration, since suci
practice would greatly endanger tn
vessels Of friendly power navigating
those waters and would even seem Z
impose upon the government OF Urea
britain a measure Of responsibility TO
Inc loss OF American lives and vessel
in case Of an attack by German nava
force. ..-,
Government the grave concern "hlcI
his Government feels IN the circum
stances in regard to the safety 0
Ameriesn vessels and lives in the wa
zone declared by the German ADM
ralty. .. F.;
making earnest representations 10 IN
German government IN regard 10 IN
DANCER 20 American vessels and clt'
ems II the declaration Of the Germa
Admiralty is put into efect.
No Notice OF Secret Order.
A. the British Embassy t was sai
to-day that no official information ma
been received regarding the ai!ege
secret notice 10 British vesseI owner
and masters 10 use neutral hSgs 10
purposes Of deception said by the Ger
man proclamation TO have been ISSUE
on January 81. Il was said, however
that the denials printed IN the brit!sl
prsss were undoubtedly authoritative
and were accepted by the embassy
true. CT ~.
kota. argued IN the House to-day tina
tbs limited States must take steps Z
N, event the use of its flag by belliger
emf nations. Discussing incidental!
his bill prohibiting the use Of tn
! -nited States emblem in a manner fol
lowed by the Lusitania, Mr.. Martin
I'm my judgment, if we permit an!
~ these belligerent nations indiscrimi
,s,slv 10 use the American flag in ordei
10 disguise the actual nationality OF NJ
.bins, h will inevitably lead US into IN
irrational difficulties. II il does not
I'D ms into craftsmanship in this war
.ynder present conditions OF naval war