The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-18

| V~iAeiVs WHAcAy cfcu uuuct buo otFlc'
est observance Of the limits of inter
national law, endangers every ship AZ
preaching the mine area. The Germa
government considers itself entitled I
hope that all neutrsls will acquiesce i
these measures as they have done i
the case of the previous damages in
fiicted upon them by British measure,
all the more 50 as Germany is resolved
for the protection of neutral shipping
even in the naval war zone, 10 do every
thing which is at all compatible wit
the attainment of this object.
| ''In view of the fact that German,
gave the first proof of her good will il
fixing a time limit of not less than /.
days before the execution of sal,
measures, so that neutral shippin,
might have an opportunity of maxim,
arrangements to avoid threatening
danger, this can most surely b,
achieved by remaining away from tn,
naval war zone. Neutral vessels which
despite this ample notice, which great
ly affects the achievement Of our aim
in our war against Great Britain, en-
ter these closed waters will themselve,
bear the responsibility for any un
Germany disclaims all responsibility fol
such accidents and their consequences
An Erroneous Impression
German has further expressly an
nounced the destruction of all euemy
merchant vessels found within the wal
zone, but not the destruction of all
merchant vessels, as the United States
seems erroneously to have understood
This restriction which Germany i'm
poses upon itself m prejudicial to the
aim of our warfare especially as in the
application of the conception of contra
band praeticed by Great Britain to-
wards Germany-which conception will
now also be similarly interpreted by
Germany-the presumption win be that
neutral ships have contraband aboard
Germany naturally is unwilling to re
nounce its rights to ascertain the pres
ence of eontrabani in neutral vessels
and in certain cases to draw conclu
sions therefrom.
willing to Deliberate With q. s.
Germany is ready, finally, to de-
liberate with the United States con
cerning any measures which might Sc
cure the safety of legitimate shipping
of neutrals in the war zone. Germany
cannot, however, forbear to point out
that all its efforts in this direction may
be rendered very difficult by two cir
cumstances; first, the misuse of neutral
flags by British merchant vessels, which
is individually known tao the United
States; second, 'the eontraband trade
already mentioned, especially in wal
materials, on neutral vessels
Regarding that latter point, Ger
many would fain hope that the United
States after further. consideration vii
come to, conclusion corresponding tc
the spirit of real neutrality regarding
first point. The secret order of the Brit
ish admiralty, recommending to British
merchant ships the use of neutral flags
has been communicated by Germany, to
the United States and confirmed by
communication with the British foreign
office, which designates this procedure
as entirely unobjectionable and mae
cordanee with British law British mer,
chant shipping Immediately followed
this advice, as doubtless is known tC
the American government from the in
eidents of the Lusitania and the Laer
ties.
Resisting German Submarines
Moreover, the British government
has supplied arms to British merchant
ships and instructed them foreibly tc
resist German submarines. In these cir
cumstanees it would be very difficult
for submarines to recognize neutral
merchantships for search in most case.
cannot be undertaken, seeing that il
the ease of a disguised British shir
from which an attack may be expected
the searching party and submarine
would be exposed to destruction.
Great Britain, then, was in posi-
tlon to make the German measures
illusory if the British merchant feet
persisted in the misuse of neutral flags
and neutral ships could not otherwise
be recognized beyond doubt Germany
however. being in state of necessity
wherein she was placed by violation OF
law, must render effective her measures
IN all circumstances in order thereby
to compel her adversary to adopt
methods of warfare corresponding with
international law and so to restore the
freedom of the seas of which Germany
at all times is the defender and for
which she to-day is fighting.
The American Flag Incident
Germany therefore rejoiees that
the United States has made representa-
tions to Great Britain concerning the
illegal use of their flag, and expresses
the expectation that this procedure will
force Great Britain to respect the
American flag in the future. In this
expectation, commanders of German
submarines have been instructed as al
ready mentioned in the note of Febru.
ary 4, to refrain from violent action
against American merchant vessels, SO
far as these can be recognized.
In order to prevent the eonse.
quences of confusion-though naturally
not so far as mines are concerned
Germany recommends that the U. s.
make their ships which are conveying
peaceful cargoes through the British
war zone discernable by means of con.
voys..
VIII Confer on Convoy Methods
How this method of convoy can be
carried out is question concerning
which Germany is ready to open nego,
tiations with the United States as soon
as possible. Germany would be par
ticularly grateful, however if the Unit
ed States would urgently recommend to
Its merchant vessels to avoid the Brit
ish naval war zone in any case until
the settlement of the flag question.
Germany is inclined to the confident
hope that the United States will be able
to appreciate in its entire s;on;faonoo