The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-19

II Ga
distinction. This Is q neutral result
OF mtne warfare. which even under the
Btrictest observance OF the limits of
International law endangers every
ship approaching the mine area. The
German government considers itself
entitled to hope that all neutrals will
| acquiesce In these measures as they
have done in the case OF the grieyous
damages inflicted upon them by Brit
ish measures, all the more so as Ger
many Is resolved, for the protection
OF neutral shipping, even in the naval
war gone, 10 10 ever, thing which is
at all compatible with .ae attainment
OF this object.
Gave Ample Notice.
sIn view of the fact that GERMANY
gave the first proof OF her good will
In fixing . 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
eniDg danger, this can most surely he
achieved by remaining away from the
naval war Zone Neutral vessels,
| Which. despite this ample notice which
greatly affects the achievement of our
aims in our war against Great Britain.
enter these closed waters will them
selves bear the responsibility for any
unfortunate accidents that may occur.
Germany disclaims all responsibility
for such accidents and consequences.
Germany hes further expressly an
nounced the destruction OF all enemy
merchant Nessels found within the war
zone. but not the destruction Of all
merchant vessels. as the United States
seems erroneously TO have understood.
This restriction which Germany Inn
poses upon itself is prejudicial to the
aim OF our warfare, especially as In
the application OF the conception of
contraband practiced by Great Britain
towards Germany-which presumption
VIII not assc be similarly interpreted
by Germany--the presumption will
be that neutral ships have contraband
aboard Germany naturally is un-
willing to renounce, its rights to as
certain the presence of contraband In
neutral vessels, ara in certain cases
tn draw conclusions therefrom.
Ready to deliberate With us.
Germany is ready, finally. to de-
liberate with the United States cons
cerning any measures which might
secure the safety OF legitimate ship
ping of neutrals In the war zone Ger
neuy cannot, however. forbear TO
point out that fall its efforts In this
direction may be rendered very diff
cult by two circumstances: first, the
misuse of Aeutral flags by British
merchant vessels, which Is individually
known TO the United States; second.
the contrabahd trade already men.
toned, especially war materials, on
neutral vessels.
Regarding the latter point. Ger
many would fain hope that the United
States after further consideration, will
come 70 2 cgnclusion corresponding
e g - Z! - X. zs aestgai..y Eaz
gardihg the fret point the secret or
der OF the British admiralty recom-
mending 70 Britieh merchant ships
the use OF entrai flags, has .heen cons.
municated by Germany to the Unit
ed States and oniirnasd by commuiii-,
cation from iIet British foreign Of
fice. which designates this procedure
as entirely ehobje ctionable and In ac-
corjance with British law. British
Al ss:,..;@.: :sse.s se:-
lowed tins: ADVICE Z as doubtless Ia
known to the American. government
from the. dnGidents of the Lnsitania
and the Laertes.
Difficult to R3e6gnlze Neairai Vessels.
Moreover. the British government
has supplied arms TO British merchant
ships and instructed them forcibly TO
resist German submarines. In these
circumstances It would be- very difl.
cult Tor submarines to recognize neu-
trail merchant ships. for search In
q d. lIs. ssi. aess.
Ing that in the case OF a disguised
British ship 7rom which an attack
may be expected the searching party
and the submarine would be exposed
to destruction.
Great Britain. then, was In a posi-
ton 70 make the German measures
iiiusory u the British merchant fleet
persisted In the misuse OF neutral
Tags and neutral ships could not
otherwise be recognized beyond doubt.
Germany, however. being I'm a state of
necessity. Wherein she was placed by
Violation OF law, must render effective
her measures In all circumstances in
order the feby to compel her adversary
to adopt methods OF warfare corre-
spending with international law, and
so to- restore the freedom OF the seas
OF which Germany at ali times IL the
Defender and for which che today is
lighting.
Rejaiess at u. s. Protest.
Germf ny, sherefore, rejoiees that
the United States has made rapresen-
tations To Great Britain concerning,
the illegai use OF their flag and ex-
presses the expeetation that this pro-
saare VIII force Great Britain TO
respect the Afnericaa flag in the fli.I
ttire. - ss..ssts eHpectat ton commanders
OF German eubmafiIies have been In
istrueted as already mentioned in the
note of Febrehsy 4. 10 refrain from
violent action against merchant yes-
sells, 80 far az these can be recogniz-
I'd. ,,',,,s 7 s'ts--f 81
!. 0iiers sasgsstion For Safety.