Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-11
FRIENDLY NOTE
BY WASHINGTON
To BELIZE RENTS
II Is latimated to Great Britain
That American Flag Should
Not Be Used Too Much
Germany Is Warned.

isr soRNHss Jovsss1 srtcist Lssseo ~iati
! Washington. Feb. 1O.-The United
States government today sent a note
10 Great Britain making friendly Oii-
sefvatiOns on the use by British
ships Of neutral flags, and. al the
same time, dispatched a communica-
ton to Germany inquiring what steps
would be taken by German naval
commanders to verify the Identity OF
ships flying neutral flags In the re-
Gently proclaimed zones Of war
around England and Ireland
Lusitania Incident.
While the Lusitanla incident is not
mentioned the representations To
Great Britain are based on the state
ment Of the foreign office justifying
the use Of neutral flags by her mer-
chantmen 10 escape capture. The
American government points out how
frequent and continued use of this
strategem might cast doubt on the
character of vessels really entitled TO
fly the American flag. and produce
dangers 10 which neutral ships ought
not be subjected on the high seas and
In unblockaded waters In the note
TO Germany, Il is understood that the
United States asks how the German
admiralty proposed TO carry out in
practice its recent proclamation OF a
war on merchant ships, and its warn
ing that on account OF the misuse Of
the neutral flags by belligerent yes
sells neutral ships could not always be
distinguished when an attack was
made
Plain Warning 10 Germans.
The introduction Of the submarine
into warfare produces a situation not
covered by any existing declaration
Of international law. but the United
States has made 1t clear. IL is under
stood. that an attack on vessel fly
ing the American flag without at
first aseertaining that 1t was ficti-
ttous could not but be viewed gravely
by the American government and
bring about serious complications.
The United States has not fully ex-
pressed Itself on the German procla-
nation, however, combining itself for
the present to an inquiry for inform
alton on which future representation
may or may not be based. There Is
no evidence as yet, for example. that
any American ship will be threatened
Tor German naval commanders may
have d complete list and description
of such vessels. making ii possible !
10 give assurances that no American !
ship will be molested The commune /
lcation merely seeks to learn more l
definitely what hazards an American 1
ship might be confronted with il 1
passing through the newly prescrib- !
ed sea zones and what steps viii be I
taken by the German navy to give un- |
restricted passage to American YES /
sells travelling through the waters.
Both Notes Friendly.
Both notes. which are to be pre- I
3ented by the American ambassadors /
At London and Berlin. are brief and /
;ouched In a friendly spirit. Neither
makes a protest but each points out 1
how the recent developments may
seriously embarrass the voyages Of /
Neutral ships on the high seas, which
.lways have been considered free TO
mem In times OF war as well as peace. I
Secretary Bryan declined 10 dis
uss either communication but prob
bly, the text of both or a paraphrase
viii be made public as soon as the
elegrams reach their respective des-
nations. The course Of the Amer
can government has been more or
ess foretOld by President Wilson who
las pointed out to callers that while !
mere Is no rule Of international law
gainst the use of a neutral flag by
belligerent vessel and the ruse is
ften resorted to in times of war.
eFeftheless, Il was regarded as prop
4 under the circumstances to make
representations on the dangers to {
eutrals which might ensue from {
ach changes In flag during a VOYAGE
{ beiligerent ship.
Nothing Critical Expected.
While officials here do not know.
nj have no intimation as to what
he attitude Of the British and Ger
ian governments vii; be. IL is gen
rally expected that expressions will
suit which will reassute the United
lates as TO the safety of its vessels
one of the high officials anticipate
le development of any critical stu
ion
So far. 1t is understood, the United
ates has not indicated to any of the
alligerents what its course would be
any American citizen travelling
BOARD helligerent vessels were lost
future encounters between German
arines and enemy merchant YES
Is While the existing rules of in
law however, provide
lat all passengers and crew on I'M
med belligerent merchant vessels
ust be taken off before the ship can
sunk, this has not been held to
lply to war vessels which are able
care for passengers. The fact
AT submarine may endanger it.
IL by approaching belligerent
erohantman is consideration which
ay necessltate new rules when the :
Ihject is taken up by future inter- :
lti0nal conferences.
representative Browning OF New n
'rsey read to the house today let n
+ from Charles S, Braddock. Jr.. OF 4
N. J., who was a senior II
ateh officer ON the L. s. 5. Reso-
te during the spanish war. telling III
w that vessel hoisted the British III
lsign and sailed under il always in III
Ie -~Carihbean waters 20 deceive III
'anish destroyers. III
iii
Etstanffl- brpa L tftsF Ffro S.....t. iii