, 1915-02-20

; 'Ab 81 NPl'"AN hhJ A"14o5Nu " SAhAIN3
few over that city at eight or six hundred
feet. It's crew being unable to keep the
airship horizontal, it assumed a vertical posi-
ton and drifted in the direction of the Zuy-
der Zee, carrying with it some parts of O
telegraph line with which u dangling rope
had become entangled. Later it was sighted
lacking its gondola.
Dispatches from Copenhagen state that
an accident to it's motors compelled a Ger
man Zeppelin to make a rapid descent, and
the airship becoming enveloped in flames
there was al explosion and it dropped near
the Knur Hotel in Fano island and was
wrecked. Its crew of two officers and four
teen men were saved and were taken prison
ers by a Danish military guard and will be
informed. The officers of the Zeppelin, L3,
explained that an accident to its motors com
PEELED them to choose between drifting to
sea or landing in Denmark, and they chose
the latter, setting fire to their ship intention
ally IS they knew the damage would not be
repaired within twenty-four hours.
British and French warships have begun
a blockade Of the Bulgarian port of Dede-
agatch to prevent the importation of food
stuffs destined for Germany and Austria.
Advices from the Hague state that the
Netherlands has refused a request for war
ships to convoy Dutch merchantmen through
the marine areas prescribed by Germany,
on the ground that such action would en-
nance the risks TO the ships without such
escorts. The Government has advised all
shipping firms to instruct their captains to
halt their vessels at sight of a submarine
and give it all desired information.
A despatch from Copenhagen states that
10 DANISH steamers left there yesterday for
England, most Of them with toodstuffs.
The Belgian Relief Commission was ad-
vised to send it's ships via north of Scotland,
the German Secretary of the Navy renewing
his assurances of their safe conduct, and
when the Commission Informed him that
this change of route would forfeit their char
ters instructions were then given for the
relief ships to pursue their usual course.
Germany's reply to the United States
protest against the submarine blockade is q
firm but friendly reiteration that the German
position is merely q iustifable retaliation for
the illegitimate British methods. Germany's
action Is IN no way directed against the com
merce of ~neutrals and represents solely the
self-defence imposed upon her by her vital
interests against England's method of war
fare. Germany had adhered to the Interna-
tional rule Of warfare and agreed to ratify
the Declaration of london. She had until
DOW permitted the transportation of provi-
sions to England from Denmark, although
always Ill Il position to prevent it. Ger
many also subscribes to the Note of the
United States to England protesting against
the British interference with American ship
ping, the treatment of the "Wilhelminas"
cargo of foodstuffs being referred to as a
fragrant breach of International Law. The
German Government feels obliged to point
out, with the greatest emphasis, that a traf-
fc in arms, estimated at many hun
dreds of millions of dollars, is being carried
on between American frms and G%ermany's
enemies. Germany comprehends hat the
practice of right and liberation of wrong by
~neutrals are matters absolutely at the discre-
tion of neutrality. This is pointed out be-
cause Germany feels her Legitimate COM