The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-12
NOTE TO
GREAT BRITAIN
u. S. GOVERNMENT MAKES
FRIENDLY OBSERVATIONS
ON USE OF FLAG
ALSO ADDRESSES
ONE TO GERMANY
Asks What Steps Will Be Taken
by Commanders to Verify
Identity of Ships.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 10.-Thc Unit
Ell States government today sent Il
note TO Great Britain making friendly
observations on the use by British
ships of neutral flags and at the same
time dispatched q communication 10
Germany. inquiring what steps would
be taken by German naval command
ers to verify the identity OF. ships fly
ing neutral flags III the recently pro-
claimed zones Of war around England
and Ireland
While the Lusitania incident is not
mentioned, the representations to
Great Britain are based on the state
ment of the British foreign Office
1ustifying the use of neutral flags by
her merchantmen to escape capture.
The American government points out
that frequent and continued use of
this Strategem might cast doubt. on
tic character, of vessels really en-
titled to fly the American flag and
I produce Iai,s y As-sshich. r,ns:Ltral
ships ought not be subjected on the
high seas and in unblockadcd waters.
In the note to Germany it Is under
stood the United States asked how the
German admiralty proposed to carry
out IN practice its recent proclama-
tion OF war on merchant ships and
It's warning that on account of the
misuse Of the neutral flags by belli-
gerent vessels, neutral ships could not
always be distinguished. The United
States had made It clear. it Is un-
dertood. that an attack on "A vessel
flying tho American flag without first
ascertaining definitely that such use
was fictitious would bring about SER
iOus complications.
The United States has not fully ex-
pressed itself on the German pro-
cianlation. however. combining itself
for the present to all inquiry for in
formation. The communication mere
ly seeks to learn more definitely what
hazards an American ship might be
confronted with If passing through
the newly prescribed sea zones. and
what steps will be taken by the Ger
man navy to give unrestricted passage
to American vessels travelling through
these waters.
Both notes are brief and friendly.
Neither makes protest. but each
points out how recent developments
may seriously eubarrass neutral
ships.
Secretary Bryan declined to discuss
either communication.
IESoiucut WltSOIl HIS pointed OUT
there is no International law against
the use Of neutral flag by bclli-
gerent vessel and the ruse often is
| resoFted to In time of war. Neverthe-
less 1t was regarded as proper IN the
circumstances TO make representa-
tions on the dangers to neutrals which
| might ensue from flag changes during
voyage Of II belligcrent ship.
Officials here generally expect that
Great Britain and Germany will re-
assure the United States to the snfe-
ty of it's vessels. None of the high Of
ficials anticipated the development of
| anv critical situation.
Representative Browning OF New
! Jersey. read 20 the house today n
letter from Charles s. Braddock. Jr.,
Of Haddonfield, n. j.. senior watch Of
ficer OF the u. s. S. Resolute. durils 2
the Spanish war. telling how that yes
sci hoisted the British ensign and sail
ed under It all day in the Caribbean
waters 10 deceive Spanish tlestroyers.