Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-12

case contemplates 1t as possible. The
suspicion that enemy ships are
using neutral flags improperly can
create no Just presumption that all
ships traversing a prescribed area
are subject to the same suspicion.
1t is to determine exactly such ques-
tions that this governmenrundersta
the right of visit and search to have
been recognized.
Non in Common Natural Class.
\ This government has carefully
noted the explanatory statement issued
by the imperial German government at
the same time with the proclamation of
the German admiralty and takes this
occasion to remind the imperial Ger
man government very respectfully that
the government Of the United States
Is open to none Of the criticisms for
unneutral action TO which the German
government believes the governments
of certain other neutral nations have
laid themselves open; that the govern
ment of the United States has not con-
sented to or aquiesced in any measures
which may have been taken by the
other belligerent nations in the present
war which operate to restrain neutral
trade but has on the contrary, taken
in all such matters position which
warrants it in holding those govern
ments responsible in the proper way
for any untoward effects on American
shipping which the accepted principles
OF international law do not justify and
that 1t, therefore, regards itself as free
in the present instance to take with a
clear conscience and upon accepted
principles the position indicated in this
note.
Might Lose a Friend.
If the commanders of German ves-
sells Of war should act on the presump-
ton 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 Ameri-
can citizens, it would he difficult for
the government of the Unite1 States to
view the act IN any other light than as
an indefensible violation of neutral
rights which it would be very hard in
deed to reconcile with the friendly re-
lations now so happily subsisting be-
tween the two governments.
If such deplorable situation
should, arise, the imperial German gov
eminent can readily appreciate that
the government of the United States
would be CONSTRAINED to hold the i'm
perial German government to a strict
accountability for such acts of their
naval authorities and to take any
steps it might he necessary to take to
safeguard American lives and proper
ty and to secure to American citizens
the full enjoyment of their acknowl-
edged rights on the high seas.
Look For Assurances.
The government of the United
States, in view of these considerations
which it urges with the greatest re-
spect and with the sincere purpose of
making sure that no misunderstanding
may arise and no circumstances occur
that might even cloui :he intercourse
Of the two governments. expresses the
confident hope and expectation that the
imperial German government can and
will lgive assurance that American cit
liens and their vessels will not be
molested by the naval forces of Ger
many, otherwise than by visit and
search. tho their vessels may be
traversing the sea area delimited in the
proclamation of the German admiralty.
eft is added for the information Of
the imperial government that repre-
sensations have been made to his Brit
annie Majesty's government in respect
to the unwarranted use of the Ameri-
can flag for the protection of British
ships.'"
Letter to Great Britain.
Feb. 10, 1915.
1.-THE Secretary has instructed Mr..
Page at London to present to the Brit
ish government a note to the following
effect:
"'The department has been advised
of the declaration of THE German adj
miralty on Feb. a. indicating that the
British government had on Jan. 81, ex-
plicitly authorized the use of neutral
flag on British merchant vessels pre-
sumably for the purpose Of avoiding
recognition by German naval forces.
The departments attention has also
been directed to reports in the press
that the captain Of the Lusitania, act
ing upon orders or information re-
ceived from the British authorities,
raised the American flag as his vessel
approached the British coasts, in order
to escape anticipated attacks by Ger
man submarines. Today's press re-
ports also contain an alleged official
statement OF the foreign office defend
ing the use of the flag Of neutral
country by a belligerent vessel in orr
der to escape capture or attack by an
enemy.
Consider the Consequences.
Assuming that the foregoing re-
ports are true the government of the
United States, reserving for future
the legality and propriety
of the deceptive use Of the flag Of
neutral power in any case for the pur-
pose of avoiding capture. desires very
to point out to His Britain
mic Majesty's government the serious
which may result to
vessels and American citi-
zens If this practice is continued.
A Difference.
"'The occasional use of the flag Of a
neutral or an enemy under the stress
OUCH! IlIMkA;iu: