The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-13
American Ambassador Pre-
sents Flag Protest at Brit
ish Foreign Office.
FRANK AND FRIENDLY
DISCUSSION FOLLOWS
Regret Is Heard That Pub
lie Had Synopsis Before
Government.
PRESS CALLS ANXIETY
ABOUT SHIPS NATURAL
Warning to Germany Is
Said to Be Worthy of Dig
nifty of This Nation.

sreCtdt tdOtc Dssp0tcN 10 linz Sun
LONDON. Feb. l2.--Mr. Page. the
American Ambassador. called by ap-
polntment on Sir Edward Grey at the
Foreign Office this afternoon and pre-
scented the American note In regard 10
the use OF neutral flags by British ves-
sells They discussed the situation in
the most frank and friendly manner
for nearly two hours.
Owing TO the lateness OF the hour
at which the note was presented 1t has
been Impossible for the Foreign Of
fee 10 consider Its contents fully For
/ this reason there Is depreciation In
/ influential quarters OF the extensive
summaries cabled here from Washing
| ton prior to the presentation Of the
note. While in this instance 1t is not
felt that any harm win result, yet.
mindful OF the Ill feeling created by
the inaccurate synopsis which was ca
bled OF President Wilson's note In re-
gard to contraband, II IL felt that
dangerous habit is being formed which
liz liable TO develop un3usthable III
feeling and irritation between the two
peoples.
The Daily Moi in its comment on the
| American note 10 Germany says:
Americas protest 10 Germany Is
worthy OF It's dignity. Il employs the
only language becoming a civilized. self
respecting community which is menaced
by maritime thugism. Its effect is all
the greater. as President Wilson has
hitherto refrained from official COM
ment on. Germany's other lapses into
barbarism.
Could Restrict Use of Flag.
president Wilson'S concern lest
British use of the American nag should
become habtual is reasonable, and will
undoubtedly BE- met in a sympathetic
spirit. We could readily undertake to
restrict the use of the American nag
to cases of exceptional necessity. The
application OF any such general under
standing would, however. depend largely
on tho discretion of the individual cap
tain, partly on the lengths to which
Germany intends or is able TO push
her policy. and partly on whether the
occasional use of the Stars and Stripes
increases or dminishes the risk OF
American citizens and ships
The Pail Mall Gazette says that II will
not be difficult to satisfy the United
= States in regard to the use of the flag,
! and adds
3 Great Britain is acting not only In
Z the national interest but In the interest
+ OF humanity and civilization. There
: would be no danger OF American ships
being sunk II the German craft behave
. as every usage of war dictates. and
board the ships they stop for an ex-
> animation OF their papers"
!. The paper also called attention TO
y the fact that while the Washington Gov
eminent Is making representations about
the use of the nag American passengers
A are petitioning the Cunard Line to sail
: under the American Nag so that they
, may have its protection.
The Radical Nation. In an editorial
Il written before the contents of the
q American note were known, expresses
y, regret that the Admiralty lnclines toward
y the use OF neutral flags. and gives
= reasons that this should not be done.
II adds
= I'VE may be quite surS that the last
q target German submarines will seek
!, will be the great Atlantic liners. The
a Lusitania, whatever nag she may have
a been flying. was as safe from subma-
rines as the STATUE OF Liberty"
The Notion also sees danger that
stretch tho doctrine of a naval siege
of Germany too far, to the detrimen,
~ of neutral traffic, and says.
I'VE must take the fun burden o.
protecting the seas on our own backs
and not shift an unnecessary penny
W weight either % the peril or the cost
"A on the shoulders OF neutral nations"
- No Cause for ompIaint.
d The DdLu Chronicle says that so far
,t as can be judged from the cabed sum.
n marles there is no cause for compla Int
as to the character of the American note
to Great Britain. Its anxious solicituds
for the use of the American flag Is
natural enough. The paper thinks tina,
the strong remonstrance to Germany
N from the greatest neutral nation may
have a Christening effect.
The Daily NetoS aud Leader says nd
reasonable man can find fault with IN,
Ie spirit and terms of either note. Boil
~ are conciliatory and cordial, but never
s. theless definite. 1T may be regretted, :
" says this paper, that President Wilson
CO did not include a protest against tn.
10 illegal character OF Germany's threat
ened procedure and its monstrous inhu
es manlty, but he presumably felt that tina
< side OF the question could be left b
n. American public opinion.
lis 1T was naturally Inevitable tina
he Washington would view the British us
rs OF the flag with anxiety. but no CLAIM
10 general use or the nag has bee,
he advanced by any neutral. The Admirait
Iy contemplated It's use only In cases sue
as the Laertes incident The expedier