The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-02-18
D. S. SENDS WARNING
GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY
TOLD TO KEEP HANDS
OFF FLAG.
WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
Note Sent to Powers by Secretary OF
state Bryan Says They Will Be Held
to Strict Account for Any Loss OF
American Lives.

GNSos
Washington, Feb. 13.-Notes sent to |
Great Britain and Germany and mace |
public by the state department on
Thursday indicate the possibility OF
crisis in the efforts of the United
States government to maintain neu-
trality toward the European belliger-
ents.
The secretary Of state has instruct
ed Ambassador Gerard at Berlin to
present to the German government
note to the following effect:
THE government of the United
States, having had its attention direct
ed to the proclamation of the German
admiralty issued on February 4, that
the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland, including the whole of the
English channel, are to be considered
as comprised within the seat of war;
that all enemy merchant vessels found
in those waters after the 18th inst. Will
be destroyed, although it may not al
ways be possible to save crews and
passengers, and that neutral vessels
expose themselves to danger within
| this zone of war because, in view or
| the misuse of naval flags said to- have
been ordered by the British govern
ment on January 81, and of the con-
tingencies of maritime warfare, it may
not be possible always to exempt neu-
trail vessels from attacks intended to
| strike enemy ships, feels it to be it's
duty to call the attention of the i'm
perial government, with sincere re-
| spect ard the most friendly senti-
ments, but very candidly and earnest
ly, to the very serious possibilities OF
the course of action apparently con-
templated under that proclamation.
The government of the United
States views those possibilities with
such grave concern that it feels it to
be it's privilege, and. indeed, its duty
in the circumstances, to request the
imperial German government to con-
slider before action is taken the critical
situation in respect of the relation be-
tween this country and Germany
which might arise were the German
naval forces, in carrying out the pol
icy foreshadowed in the admiralty's s
proclamation, to destroy any merchant
vessel of the United States or cause
the death of American citizens.
ITO declare or exercise right to at
tack and destroy any vessel entering a
precribed area of the high seas with
out first certainly determining its bel
ligerent nationality and the contra
band character of it's CO rgo would be
an act so unprecedented in naval war.
fare that this government is reluctant
to believe that the imperial govern
ment OF Germany in this, case con-
templates it as possible.
IF the commanders of German YES
sells of war should act upon the pre-
sumption that the flag of the United
States was not being used in good
faith and should destroy on the high
, seas an American vessel or the lives
of American citizens, it would be diff
, ficult for the government of the United
! States to view the act in any Other
q light than as an indefensible viola
, tion of neutral rights which it would
! be very hard. indeed to reconcile
|, with the friendly relations now 81
4 happily subsisting between the two
q governments.
IF such a deplorable situation
should arise, the imperial German gov
ernmens can readily appreciate tina
the government of the United State
would be constrained to hold the i'm
S perial German government to stric
accountability for such acts of thei
naval authorities and to take an.
steps it might be necessary to take Il
e safeguard American lives and proper
n ty and to secure to American citizen
a the full enjoyment of their acknowl
= edged rights on the high seas.
S THE government of the Unitet
o States expresses the confident hop
l. and expectation that the imperial Gel
e man government can and will give as
T. surance that American citizens an
d their vessels will not be molested."
If The secretary of state has instruct
L ed Ambassador Page at London t
'e present to the British government
If note to the following effect:
Deceptive use of the flag Of tn
United States in the sea area define
in the German declaration woul
o. greatly endanger the vessels of
IN friendly power navigating those We
st ters and would even seem to impos
IT. upon the government of Great Britai
to a measure of responsibility for tn
-e loss of American lives and vessels i
st case of an attack by German ,vs
e. force.
IN Impress upon his majesty's govern
j. ment the grave concern which thi
O. government feels in the circun
stances"