The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-17

intended TO coniine the note to Ger
many merely to an inquiry as to what
steps would be taken to verify the
character of ships flying neutral flags,
pointing out the serious dangers
which might ensue from mistakes in
this connection. But when the Ger
man office memorandum arrived Civ
ing what seemed to be the mature de-
of the government on the
subject, the Washington administra-
tion decided to issue its warning i'm
No joint action with other neutral
governments has been taken or is un-
der contemplation. There has been in
innate discussion of the course of the
government with the minis
tries, but in line with traditional
policy no combined express
sion with other governments will be
made.
Both notes, it is believed, will open
the subject of the use of neutral flags
and submarine warfare on merchant
ships to long diplomatic correspond
ence, which may furnish the basis for
international rules on the subject at
conferences at the wars end. 1t is one
Of the subjects also which the Pan
American union will consider in its
investigation of the rights of neutrals
as opposed to those of belligerents.
The full texts Of the notes as made
public at the state department tonight
follows:
Feb. 10, 1915.
"The secretary of state has instruct
ed American Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin to present to the German de-
partment note to the following ef-
feet:
THE government OF the United
States having had it's attention dire Ct
ed to the proclamation of the German
admiralty issued on the 4th of Febru-
ary that the waters surrounding Great
Britain and Ireland, including the
whole Of the English channel, are to
be considered as comprised within
the seat OF war that all enemy mer-
chant vessels found in those waters
after the 18th inst. VIII be destroyed
although 1T may not always be pos
sible to save crews and passengers;
and that neutral vessels expose them
selves to danger within this zone of
war because, in view Of the misuse Of
neutral flags said to have been rem
dered by the British government on
the 31st Of January and of the con-
tingencies of maritime warfare, it may
not be possible always to exempt neu-
trail vessels from attacks intended to
strike enemy ships, feels 1t to be it's
duty to call the attention of the i'm
perial German government with sim
cere respect and the most friendly
sentiments, but very candidly and
earnestly, to the very serious possi-
Dilities OF the course Of action appar-
emily contemplated under that proc
lamation.
The government of the United
States views those possibilities with
such grave concern that 1t feels ii to
be its privilege and indie I'd its duty In
the circumstances to REQUEST the i'm
perial German government to consid-
er, before action is taken, the critical
situation in respect of the relation be-
tween this country and Germany
which might arise were the German
naval forces, in carrying out the poll
icy foreshadowed in the admiralty's
proclamation, to. destroy any mer-
chant vessel Of the United States or
cause the death Of American citizens.
1T Is Of course not necessary to
remind the German government that
the sole right of a belligerent in deal
ing with neutral vessels on the high
seas is limited to visit and search. un
less a blockade is proclaimed and ef-
fectively maintained. which this gov
ernment does not understand to he
proposed in this case. To declare or
exercise right to attack and destroy
any vessel entering a prescribed area
Of the high seas without first certainly
determining it's belligerent nationality
and the contraband character of its
cargo would be an act so unprecedent-
ed In naval warfare that this govern
ment is reluctant to believe that the
imperial government of Germany in
this case contemplates it as possible.
The suspicion that enemy ships
are using neutral flags improperly can
create no just presumption that all
ships traversing prescribed area are