Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-19

1
Germany's enemies. will not oppose for.
| chile suppression by Germany Of this
| trade
LtmIts Of War Zone Defined,
| Acting from this point OF view, the
! German admiralty proclaimed naval
| war zone. whose limits II exactly defined
/ Germany, so far as possible. will seek
20 close this war zone with mines and
also will endcsvor to destroy hostile mer-
chant vessels in every other way. while
the German government in taking action
based upon this overpowering point OF
view, keeps itself far removed from all
intention destruction OF neutral lives and
property, on the other hand, Il does not
fail TO recognize that from the action TO
be taken against Great Britain, dangers
arise which threaten all trade within the
war zone. without distinction. THIS Is a
natural result of mine warfare Witch
even for the strictest observance OF the
limits OF international law, endange,s
! every ship approaching the mine area
The German government considers It.
self entitled to the hope that all neutrals
will acuulesce in these measures, as they
have done in the case OF the grievous
damages inflicted upon them by British
/
resolved, for the protection OF neutral
shipping even in the naval war zone. to
do everything which is at all compatible
with the attainment of this object,
Time Limit L. Liberal.
I'm view OF the fact that Germany gave
the first proof Of its good will M fixing a
time limit of not less than fourteen days
before the execution OF said measures.
| GO hot ehg ola
opportunity of making arrangements TO
avoid threatening danger. this can most
surely be achieved by remaining away
from the naval war zone. Neutral yes
sells, which. despite this ample notice
which daily affects the achievement OF
our aims in our war against Great Brit
ain, enter these closed waters will them
selves bear the responsibility for any UNI
fortunate accidents that may occur Ger
many disclaims all responsibility for
such accidents and their consequences.
Germany has further expressly an
nounced the destruction OF all enemy
merchant vessels found within the war
zone. but not the destruction Of all mer-
chant vessels, as the United States seems
enormously to have understood This re-
striction, which Germany imposed upon
itself, is prejudicis! to the aim OF our
warfare, especially as in the application
of the conception of contraband practiced
by Great Britain towards Germany
which conception will now also be inter
preted by Germany-the presumption will
be that neutral ships have contraband
aboard, Germany naturally is unwilling
to renounce its rights to ascertain the
presence of contraband in neutral yes
sells and in certain cases to draw con-
illusions therefrom.
Ready 10 Negotiate Further.
Germany is ready finally to deliberate
with the United States concerning any
measures which would help safety of
legitimate shipping in war zones. Ger
many cannot, however forbear to point
out that all it's efforts In this direc-
ton may be rendered very difficult by
two circumstances; First, the misuse OF
neutral flags by merchant ships which is
indubitably known TO the United states
| Second, the contraband trade already
mentioned, especially in war materials. on
neutral vessels.
| Regarding the latter point Germany
would fam hope that the United States,
after further consideration, will come to
a conclusion correspondence TO the
spirit of neutrality. Regarding the first
point. The secret order of the British
admiralty. recommending to British mer-
chant ships the use OF neutral flags has
been communicated by Germany to the
United States and confirmed by COM
munication with the British foreign Of
flee, which deslgnates this procedure as
entirely unobtectionable and in accord
ance with British law. British merchant
| shipping Immediately followed this ad-
vice, as doubtless is known to the Amer
lean government from the incidents OF
the Lusitanit and Laertes.
Moreover. the British government has
supplied arms to British merchant ships
and instructed them foroiby to resist
German submarines In these crcum-
stances, it would be very difficult for sub
marines to recognize neutral merchant
ships, for search in most cases cannot be
undertaken, seeing that in the case of a
disguised British ship from which an at
tack may be expected, the searching
party and the submarine would be ex-
posed to destruction.
Germany l. Defender Of Sea.
Great Britain then was in a position
to make the German measures illusory
IL the British merchant marine persisted
In the misuse of neutral flags and neu.
trail ships could not otherwise be recog-
nized beyond doubt. Germany, however,
being in a state of necessity, wherein it
was placed by violation OF law, must rem
der effective it's measures in all clrcum-
stances, In order thereby to compel it's
adversary to adopt methods of warfare
corresponding with international law and
so restore the freedom of the seas OF
which Germany at all times Is the de-
fender and for which it is today fighting
Germany therefore rejoices that the
United states has made representations
TO Great Britain concerning the illegal
use Of their flag. and expresses the ex-
rectation that this procedure win force
Great Britain to respect the American
flag in the future. In this expectation
commanders OF German submarines have
been instructed. as already mentioned in
the note of February 4. TO refrain from
violent action against American merchant
vessels, so far as these can be recog-
nized.
I'm order to prevent in the surest man