Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-02-05
NO i. s. PROTEST
OVER GERMANY'S
DECREE IS LIKELY
Government Officials Consider
War Zone Order at Cab
met Meeting.
GREAT BRITAIN STIRRED
TO ACTION BY THREAT
Expected That Destroyers Will
Be Detached from North
Sea Fleet.
GREAT BRITAIN STIRRED
TO ACTION BY THREAT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Germany's
declaration Of a naval war zone
around Great Britain and Ireland in
Guiding the English Channel and the
northern passage by the Shetland
Islands, is regarded here as one of
the most serious developments Of the
war.
It was regarded as highly possible,
for one thing, that it would hasten
the movement begun by the Latin
American countries for a speedy con-
ference of neutral states to devise
means to reduce losses to neutral
commerce 10 minimum.
At first there were some intimations
in administration circles that il might
be the subject Of a protest by the
United States, but the official view
developed that there was little or no
ground for that, and il was recalled
that no protest was made when the
North Sea was strewn with mines.
Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Hoi-
land have repeated addressed the
state department here 10 secure
American backing for measures to
relieve distress in their own COM
lamation is expected TO cause a re-
doubled effort of all the neutrals Tor
measures to protect themselves.
Counselor Lansing, of the state de-
partment, took Secretary Bryan's
chair at the cabinet meeting today In
the laIter's absence.
After the cabinet meeting Mr.. Ian
sing said no protest was being pre-
pared. He refused to discuss wheth-
er one would be sent later. He in
dicated, however, that the question
was fully covered by international
Jaw.
Neither the state department nor
the German embassy had received the
latest Berlin admiralty statement to-
day, and it was said at the German
embassy that the Berlin foreign office
probably would deliver copies to dip
lomatic Representatives In Berlin and
regard that notice as sufficient. Yes
terday's proclamation Is an extension
of former one delivered by sAmbas-
sador Gerard, applying to the north
and west coasts Of France.
/ There is no precedent m dealing
| with the question. because neretofore
submarines have played no Important
part in warfare, and all OF the rules
of international law are framed with
special reference to ordinary ships.
The ordinary practices in taking
prizes and dealing with the merchant
ships of an enemy which 1t is not
feasible TO take as prizes are clearly
set out and established by long usage.
The merchantmen must be halted,
boarded. and either made prize or
sunk In the latter case crew and
passengers must be taken off.
While it was noted that the procla-
nation was directed against enemy
ships" and applied to neutral ships
only when the attacks were meant
for enemy ships through suspicion OF
misuse of neutral flags, officials ex-
pressed grave concern over the i'm
piled threat TO sink merchant vessels,
probably without warning, or taking
off non-combatant passengers and
crews.
During consideration OF the sub
ject by the state department, Ameri-
man marines probably viii be ex-
pected TO heed the German warning
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