The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02
GERMAN WARNING
ANOTHER THORN
TO WASHINGTON
Advertisement Regarded as
Advising Americans Against
Their Rights.
PROTEST OF ALLIES
Is EXPECTED NEXT

NAsHINGTON. MAY Tine aCtlon o'
the German Embassy in publishine
broadcast over the United States paid
| advertisements warning Americans
against taking passage on British YES
sells is regarded here as a serious matter
when viewed in connection with other
recent activities by the Kaiser's repre-
sentatives.
The latest move Is considered as show.
ing at least extremely bad taste II Is
pointed out that the advertise ments
virtually advise American citizens to
refrain from doing what may be TO
, their own interest and what tlfcir Gov.
eminent has maintained they have a
perfect right to do.
The question is also raised whether
the Embassy may properly use this
means OF carrying on a campaign. the
effect of which might we'll be to result
in harm TO legitimate British CONNER
cial interests. especially the steamship
companies.
While the matter has not yet been
officially taken up By the state De-
siderations are being weighed in the
minds Of officials and that It Ia not to
be expected that the incident will be dis
regarded.
How the "Ad" Il Regarded.
The matter is construed here either as
a thoughtless offence against diplomatic
thAr f.Arn nj.
tempt TO irrltate the United states Gov
eminent
officials here thought the displeasinE
activities of the embassy would come TO
an end with the adroit rebuke admin
istered by the President in his reply
TO Ambassador Won Bernstorff in re-
gard to the shipment Of arms from the
/ United States to the ALLIES.
This memorandum was considered 10
be the elimination OF a series OF public
statements. charges and communications
on the part of the German Embassy
which the State Department found Of
fcnsive to the dignity of this Govern
ment and lacking In the proper respect
due 1t from accredited diplomatic OFF,
GERS of other Governments.
The statement was made at the time
the BernstorR memorandum was an
swered that II further irr!tants emsnsted
from German officlal sources II might be
impossible TO escape the conclusion that
attempts were being made to pick a
quarrel with this Government.
AZ Count Won Bernstorff has been es-
termed as one OF the most acceptable
diplomats in Washington. officials find
Il difficult to attribute the questionable
character OF some OF the embassy's conn
munications and activities to him per-
sona,ly. but feel that they must be the
result of deliberate policy. dictated by
: the Berlin Government
IL was noted that the German Ambas-
sador particularly disclaimed personal
responsibility for the arms memorandum
and Scouted the suggestion as worse
I than ridiculous that he was seeking "a
get himself into the bad graces of the
Washington Government.
In the absence of Ambassador Won
! Bernstorn. who is In New York, the Ger
man Embassy had no statement 10 make
to-day regarding the advertisement just
published
To Ease CO0sri~nres.
Embassy officials declared, however
! that the purpose OF the advertisement
was to ease our consciences' IN case
anything happened to an American on
board a British vessel in the war zone,
by making sure that all American cit!-
Gems had been adequately warned of the
risks they ran in taking passage on Brit
sh ships.
1t Is probable that the matter will be
J forced to the attention OF the United
states Government; by representations
from another quarter.
There is good reason TO expect that
the British Embassy will complain
against the advertisement on the ground
that the German Embassy is making i'm
proper use Of the American press for the
purpose OF injuring the business Of the
British steamship companies.
II the British Anba ssador makes this
complaint II is probable that the French
Ambassador will join him in such &C
| ton. II IL admitted that an individual
| in this country would not be permitted
TO make such use OF the press to the
probable ,detriment OF the business OF
| another. and that il Is nice quest II
as to whether a foreign embassy should
be allowed to engage In activities FOR
which an individual would be liable
TO legal action.
Point at Issue.
The whole point OF the German adver-
/ tiscment, namely. that neutrals taking
! pa ssage on British vessels passing
through the war zone do so at their
| own risk. IS already an issue between
J the Governments of the United States
/ and Germany. This fact Is regarded
| as making the improperly NJ the Ger
/ man advertisement all the greater.
| The United States warned the German
! Government that II would he held to
"A strict accountability for any dcstruc,
| ton of American life and properly ~
the high seas h. German naval com
| mandcrs.
| Leon G. Thrasher, All American. los,
| his life .in the torpedoing Of The British
| ship Falaba and representations in tho
| case are expected to be made to The
German Government any day now. The
| Berlin Foreign Office, In "A statemen
| already issued at tho Emba ssy. ha,
! announced that it's defence viii consist
chiefly In the fact that warning wa,
given neutrals TO keep of British vessel.
passing through the war zone.
These warnings. however. the United
States Government liz prepared to dis
| miss. as 1t II held that no American
| citizen can he deprived of his right I,
do IA particular thing merely bccaus,
| the German Government warns him h,
Ii in danger II he does II.
Liverpool shippers Ridicul~ the
German Warming.
| Spe6iai cable Despafck 10 THr Sen