New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-06


command except the torpedo, which II
must use by stealth.
II Great Britain should elect 20
blockade the German ports II could, IN
all probability, comply with the re
ouirements OF the international rules
regarding blockade much more sue
cessfully than Germany. The streteh
Of exposed German coast rs COMPARE
lively small and tho English and trench
Neets are large. Il rs impossible that
such a blockade would comply WIN
such precedcnts as have been esiao-
liShed.
L. &. Protest Probable.
That vigorous protest will be made
by the United States government
against Germsuy's threat that she Will
not he responsible for the safety OF
neutral vessels was a belief widely OK
messed here tonight At the state
DEPARTMENT no steps had been taken
beyond the cabling 10 Ambassador
Gerard in Berlin for Official conhrma-
ton Of the decree.
The supplemental decree, adding the
French coast 10 tho war zone, had not
been received by the State Department
Isst night. but as its purport is practl-
csllv Identical with that of the dec
lsration regarding the British Isles and
the ;hirty-mile strip Of Dutch coast
waters. the protest when framed VIII
applv with equal force 20 that as well.
Counsellor Robert Lansing, who was
acting IS Secretary Of state to-day IN
the absence Of Mr.. Bryan. refused TO
discuss the German decree or any
phase OF il pending the receipt OF the
Cficial confirmation Of its utterance
Mr.. Lansing said, however, that the
state Department was without lntor-
nation regarding the alleged British
direction covering the fictitious use OF
neutral flags.
Vital Principles Threatened.
Il is the opinion among officials here
that the German decree, IN It's mani
fcs: effort 20 destroy utterly the com
nerce Of Great Britain, while unabic'
IN the accepted sense OF the diplo-
matte term. 10 declare more than a
"naper blockade" Of the British and
French coasts. threatens a violation Of
vital principles Of international law.
Likewise 10 IS ~ variance with prln-
ciples for which the United States mas
itself coutc1dcd, not only IN diPIo-
macy but in war.
The gravity Of the situation oeca'
stoned the presence Of Counsellor Ian
sing ~ a Cabinet session for the hrs'
time in many months. lie carried WIN
him a bulky portfolio OF dispatches
and remained for the entire session.
Tbre,ts that the proclamation Of the
German Admiralty will be met with
reprisals BY the British that viii cut
GERMANY off entirely from the sea
even where the shipment Of non-con'
trshsnd. such rs cotton, is concerned
is the Interpretation placed on a
statement from the British Embassy
bere TODAY. in which the German
PROCLAMATION Is discussed.
British Official Statement.
The apparent intention Of the Ger,
man government 20 SINK ncr'haI'
sbins bv submarines" the statement
runs. "without bringing them into port
or nroviding accommodation for theiI
crews. and regardless Of loss o'
civilian lives. and the attempt TO e.
fsc. this even against p hosplta! snip
bse raised very seriously the question
whether Great Britain should adopt In
retsliation more stringent measures
against German trade. II is recognized
that when any such decision TO thls
.Fect is reached due care must be
taken not 70 inf1ict loss upon neutral
sb,ps which have sailed before any
warning has been given or the de'
cision announced.
This is taken 70 mean that GreaI
Byitain has in reserve, as an act OF
possible reprisal against Germany M
the event Of the threat OF the deelsra
ton of war zone beng earned ou'
.be entire elimination from the seas OF
all forms Of commerce with Gerinanl
and the enforcement Of an absolute
bloclade with every form and charac
tor Of goods and merchandise made
actual contraband of war This is tht
most drastic action possible and woulC
serve greatly 10 involve situation al
ready densely confused by the Ger
man decree.
The British Embassy was without IN
formation and declined 20 express ar
opinion on the question Of the sug
rested distribution OF American con
signments of wheat flour and otnel
food products under the direction o.
American consular officers. AZ th'
state Department Solicitor Johnson was
unable 10 throw any light upon tins
suggestion. either He said that The
Donartment was without information
with regard 20 the suggestion which
had not yet been conveyed TO then
through official channels.
An early caller AZ the State Depart
ment to-day WAS Chevalier van Rap
pard. Minister from The Netherls nds
lie called TO ascertain what attitude tn
United States government was llkel,
70 take with regard 10 the German de
cree. but was unable 20 obtain an,
satisfactory information for the rea
son. as was explained TO him, that NJ
official notification Of the declaration
had been received.
The Netherlands naturally is gravel.
concerned over the declaration. II j
pointed out that the inclusion of 1h'
Netherlands coast in the war zone vii
cut off that country from every sourc'
of outside food supply.
II was explained that already
throughout The Netherlands, there va
serious shortage OF bresdstuffs. Tn
Dutch population are reduced to tn
exclusive use Of rye -four, only small
supply Of wheat -four being obtsinable
the greater portion Of which 10 used b,
the Belgian refugees in that country
who to-day number more than 100000
HTn m IIN nm tn