Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-19

such accidents and their consequence
Germany has further expressly an
nounced the destruction of all enemy
merchant vessels found within the war
zone. but not the destruction of all
merchant vessels, as the United States,
seems enormously to have understood.
This restriction which Germany i'm
poses upon itself is prejudicial to the
aim of our warfare. especially as in
the application Of the conception Of
contraband aas practiced by Greas
ritaip towards Germany which con-
ception will now also be similarly In
terpreted by Germany, the presump-
ton will be that neutral ships have
contraband aboard. Germany natur-
ally is unwilling to renounce its rights
to ascertain the presence of contra
band in neutral vessels and in certain
cases to draw conclusions therefro,n.
Final Consideration
Germany is ready. finally, to de-
Eberate with the United States con-
corning any measure which might SEE
cure the safety of legitimate shipping
of neutrals in the war zone. Germany
cannot. however. forbear to point ont
that all its efforts in this direction
may be rendered very difficult by two
circumstances: First, the misuse Of
neutral flags by British merchant yes
sells, which is Individually known TO
the United States: second, the contra
band trade already mentioned, espe-
cially in the war materials, on neutral
vessels.
Regarding the latter point, Ger.
many would fain hope that the Unit
ed States after further consideration
will come to conclusion correspond
ing to the spirit of real neutrality. Re-
garding the first point, the secret Or
Ger of the British admiralty recon-
mending to British merchant ships tho
use of neutral flags has been commu-
nicated with the British foreign office
which designates this procedure az
entirely unobjectionabl and in ac-
cordance with British law. British
merchant shipping Immediately fol-
lowed this advice. as doubtless IA
known TO the American government
from the incidents of. the Lusitania
and the Laertes.
Moreover, the British government
has supplied arms to British merchant
SHIPS and instructed them forcibly to
resist German submarines In these
circumstances it would be very diff
ficult for submarines to recognise
neutral merchant ships, for search M
most cases cannot be undertaken see
ing that in cases of disguised Britt
lsh ship from which an atatack may
be expected the searching party and
he ,hyV1o
struction. ne
Great Britain, then, was in a posi-,
uoh 10 make the German measures il
9uSory II the British merchant fleet
persisted in the misuse of neutral flags
and neutral ships could not otherwise
! be recognized beyond doubt. Germany
/ however being in a state of necessity.
| Wherein she was placed by viola ton
| of law, must render effective her meas
dres in all circumstances, in order there
/ by to compel her adversary to adopt
methods of warfare corresponding with
! international law and 50 to restore the
| freedom of the seas, Of which Germany
al all times is the defender and for
which she today IS fighting.
Regarding EnsIand.s Warning So,
NIVi manly l4Eei lSJtlCSS tIldI kSS
| United States has made representa- tons
10 Great Britain concerning the Illegal
use of their flag. and expresses the ex-
pectation that this procedure will force
Great Britain to respect the American
/ flag in the future. In this expectation.
/ comma nders Of German submarines have
/ been instructed, as already mentioned
IN the note Of Feb. 4, to refrain fran
| violent action against American mer-
chant vessels, so far as these can be
| recognized. H.
In order to prevent Ii the surest
manner the consequences OF confusion
though naturally not SO far as mines
are concerned-Germany recommends
that the United States make their ships
which are conveying peaceful cargoas
! though the British war zone discernabls
| by means of conveys. sr-
Germany believes il may act on tbs
supposition that only such ships would
be conveyed as carried goods not re-
gar5ed as contraband according to the
British Interpretation made in the case
of Germany. u.
carried out is a question concerning
| - 'ShHJ ~ SFNAA ASSO
| tiations with the United States as soon
as possible Germany wiuld be particu-
larly grateful, however. if the United
States would urgently recommend to its
merchant vessels 70 avoid the British
naval war zone, in any case, ulti pne
settlement of the flag question.
Germany is inclined 10 the comment
| hope that the United States will be able
| to appreciate in it's entire signincarce
the naval battle which Germany Is was-
| ing for existence and that from the 1ore
| going explanations and promises II WILL
acquire full understanding Of the mo-
| tiyes and the aims of the measures an
nounced by Germany.
| Germany repeats that 1t has now re-
solved upon the projected measures Only
under the strongest necessity OF natlopr
| al self defence. such measure haVfis
hean deferred out of consideration TOT
neutrals. So
Opportunity Of United States -
"If the United States, in view Oh the
! weight which il is justified in throwing
and Is able to throw into the scales
of the fate of the peoples. should Sue
coed at the last moment in removing
,he grounds which make that procedure
an obligatory duty for Germany: aI9
# the American government in particular
| the terms OF