The Washington herald., 1915-02-12

German naval forces. The departments
attention has also been directed to re-
norris in the press that the captain OF
the Lusitania. acting upon orders or IN
formation received from the British au-
thorities. raised the American flag as his
vessel approached the British coasts, in
order to escape anticipated attacks DS
German submarines. TOdayS press re-
ports also contain an alleged OFFICIAL
statement Of the foreign Office defending
the use of the flag of a neutral country
hv a beIliEerent vessel in order to escape
capture or attack by an enemy.
Warning in Use of Flag.
Assuming that the foregoing reports
are true. the government OF the United
States, reserving for future consideration
the legality and propriety OF the oecep-
tive use of the flag OF a neutral power
in any case for the purpose OF avoiding
capture, desires very respectfully TO
point out to His Britannia Majesty s
government the serious consequences
which NAV result to American vessels
and American citizens If this practice Is
continued.
The occasional use Of the flag OF a
neutral or an enemy under the stress OF
immediate pursuit and to deceive an ap-
preaching enemy. which appears by the
press reports to he represented as the
precedent and justification used TO sup
port this action. seems to this govern
ment a very different thing from an eN-
pIiclt sanction by a bclligcrent govern
ment for it's merchant ships generally to
fiy the flag Of a neutral power within Ger
tain portions Of the high seas which are
presumed to be freQuented with hostile
warships. The formal declaration OF
such a policy OF general misuse OF
neutrars flag jeopardizes the vessels OF
the neutral visiting those waters In
peculiar degree by raising the presump-
tion that they are Of belligerent nation
ality, regardless OF the flag which they
may carry.
"In view OF the announced purpose OF
the German admiralty to engage in active
naval operations in certain delimited sea
areas adjacent to the coasts OF Great
Britain and ireland. the government Of
the United States would view with
anxious solicitude any general use OF the
flag of the United States by British YES
sells traversing those waters. A policy
such rs the one which his majesty's gov
ernment is said to intend to adopt, would.
IL the declaration OF the German admir-
atty be put in force. It seems clear. af-
ford no protection to British vessels,
while It would be a serious and constant
menace to the lives and vessels Of Ameri-
can citizens.
Britain Partly Responsible.
THE government of the United States.
therefore, trusts that his majesty's gov
ernment will do all in their power to re-
strain vessels Of British nationality from
the deceptive use Of the rag Of the
United States in the sea area defined In
the German declaration, since such prac-
tice would greatly endanger the vessels
of a friendly power navigating those
waters and would even seem to impose
upon the government OF Great Britain
a measure of responsibility for the Lose
of American lives and vessels In case OF
an attack by a German naval force.
You will impress upon his ma1esty's
government the grave concern which this
government feelI in the circumstances
in regard to the safety OF American ves-