The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-14
GERMAN PRESS DEFIANT.

BERLIN, VIA London, Feb. 13.-The
German press continues its defence OF
the Admiralty's proclamation of a war
zone about the British Isles and its in
sistence that it affords no ground for
complaint on the part of the United
States. The text of the American note
has not yet been given out here and the
comments on the position OF the Wash
ington Government are based on brief
synopses Of the note received in Wash
ington dispatches to news agencies
Count Won Reventlow. the naval critic,
has an article in the Td0eS Zeitun0,
which is republished in the Cologne Ca
sette, in which he says that the war
zone was announced by the German Ad-
miralty for the very reason that safety
to navigation cannot be guaranteed in
the waters of this zone, adding, The
vessels OF neutrals enter upon this war
zone only at their own risk"
This condition of affairs and the con-
sequences 1t may bring after February
49, the writer continues. cannot he
changed or Influenced by any representa-
lions or demands from Washington. II
10 equally out OF the question that the
Identity OF every ship with neutral
nag be sscertalned. A submarine mine
cannot leran this identity and such a
course is equally impossible for a sub
marine boat.
The German declaration in itself
must furnish proof to Americans that
the possible destruction of American
ships after February Is cannot afford
the Washington Government any ground
for complaint OF any nature against the
German Government but that the Amer
lean Government and the shippers them
selves must bear the responsibility II
they permit their vessels to enter this
war zone.
1--WE gather the impression here from
expressions reaching Germany from
across the water that II the American
people believe they can handle the Ger
man Government as they desire by pres
sure and threats they will fool them
selves"
The Kreus-ZeituT1 expresses disap'
pointment with the attitude of the neu-
trail Powers, especially with the United
States, in their failure 10 ask specific
guarantees from Great Britain for q
discontinuance OF the use OF newra
nags. 1t is improbable that such guar
antees will be given now. the newspaper
says, since the most powerful neutral
has not even made a decided protest
Continuing, the RreuS-Zeitun1 regis
terJ complaint against the sale of arms
ana ammunition by the United States &c
the Allies, mot to mention ampler sup
port OF our enemies now tolerated"
These acts, the newspaper says. can
not be reconclled with President WI
sons unobjectonabe Interpretation o
true neutrality at the beginning OF M
war. The United States, Il continues
accepted Great Britain's reply to TN
American complaint against the deten
tton or merchant ships quietly, in spite o
The fact that the reply was almos
wnorfy negative, and now accepts will
equal quiet the misuse" Of tho American
nag The article concludes:
rs II any wonder that England NOV
shows not the slightest consideration 10
the United states, as IL illustrated alread
by the SEIZURE Of the W!lhelmina? l.
nobody say that America proves it's neu
tralhy by accepting Germany's declara
tion OF submarine warfare m tho sam
spirit as Eng!ands abuse Of neutrs
nAga"