The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-02-19

1 AAAAO0s (Ct A4eAA&ts 81 A6ll DIS ROSSlDAG
seek to close this war zone with mines,
and viii also endeavor to destroy hos
| tile merchant vessels In every other
way. While the German government,
in taking action based upon this over
powering point of view, keeps itself
| far removed from all intentional de-
struction of neutral lives and property.
on the other hand 1t 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 natural result of mine warfare.
which even under the strictest observ-
ance of the limits of international law
endangers every ship approaching the
mine area The German government
considers itself entitled to hope that all
neutrals viii acquiesce in these meas
ures. as they have done IN the case Of
the grievous damages inflicted upon
them by British measures. all the more
so as Germany Is resolved. for the pro-
lection of neutral shipping even in the
naval war zone. to do everything which
is at all compatible with the attain
nent of this object.
In view OF the fact that Germany
gave the first proof or ner good will in
fixing a time limit OF not less than
fourteen days before the execution OF
said measures, so that neutral ship
ping might have an opportunity OF
making arrangements to avoid threat
.''inr danger this can most surely be
achieved by remaining away from the
naval war zone. Neutral vessels
despite this ample notice,
which greatly affects the achievement
Of our aims In our war against Great
Britain. enter these closed waters will
themselves bear the responsibility for
any unfortunate accidents that may
occur. Germany disclaims all respon-
sibility for such accidents and conse-
quences
ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION.
Germany has further expressly an
nounced the destruction of al enemy
merchant vessels found within the war
zone, but not the destruction of all
merchant vessels. as the United States
seems enormously to nave understood.
This restriction which Germany inn
poses upon Itself is prejudicial to the
aim Of our warfare, especially az In the
application Of the conception Of con-
raband practiced by Great Britain to-
wards Germany--which conception !
will now also be similarly interpreted
~ Germa ny-the presumption will be
hat neutral ships will have contraband |
aboard. Germany naturally is un-
willing to renounce its rights to ascer- |
tain the presence OF contraDand in neu- |
tral vessels. and in certain cases TO
draw conclusions therefrom.
Germany is ready finally. to de- |
iberate with the United States con-
.erning any measures which might Sc
ure the safety of legitimate shipping |
If neutrals IN the war zone. Germany |
annot. however, forhear TO point out |!
hat all its efforts in thig direction may |
20 rendered very difficult by two cir
.uTnstances; first, the misuse or neu- |
raj flags by British merchant vessels. t
which Is Individually known to the |
United States; second the contraband /
rade already mentioned, especially In T
var materials, on neutral vessels.
Regarding the latter point, Germany |
would fam hope that the United States, /
liter further consideration, will come ,
20 a conclusion corresponding to the I
spirit OF real neutrality regarding the /
irSt point. The secret order OF The I
British admiralty recommending to
,ritish merchant ships the use OF neu-
raj flags. has been communicated by
Germany to the United States and con-
irrned by communication from the
British foreign office which designates
his procedure as entirely unobjection-
sble and in accordance with British
aw. British merchant shipping i'm
nediateiy followed this advance, as
oubtless is known to the American
government from the incidents of the
Lusitania and the Laertes.
Moreover, the British government
las supplied arms to British merchant
ships and instructed them forc1bly 10
esist German submarines. In these
circumstances It would be very difficult
for submarines to recognize neutral
nerchantships. for search in most
asses cannot be undertaken. seeing
hat In the case of disguished British
hip from which an attack may be ex-
oected the searching party and the
submarine would be exposed to de-
struction
Germany repeats that II has now
resolved upon the projected measures
only under the strongest necessity OF
.ational self defense, such measures
having been deferred out Of considera-
ton for neutrals. If the United States,
in view Of the weight which 1t is JUS
titled in throwing and able to throw in
to the scales of the fate OF peoples,
should succeed at the last moment In
the grounds which make that
procedure an obligatory duty for Ger
many. and If the American government
in particular should find q way to
make the Declaration OF London re-
spected-on behalf also OF those powers
which are fighting on Germanys side
and thereby make possible for Ger
many legitimate importation of the j
lIecessaries OF life and industrial raw
material. then the German government
could not too highly appreciate such
q service, rendered in the interests Of
humane YnAthods Of 1varfare and xvoi,ld