Evening star., 1915-02-18

removed from all Intentional de-
struction Of neutral lives and prop
erty, on the other hand. it does not
fail to recognize that from the ac-
Britain dangers arise which threat
en- all trade within the war zone,
without distinction. This is natu-
raj result of mine warfare. which
of the limits of international law
endangers every ship approaching
the mine area.
Responsibility Disclaimed.
The German government consid-
ers itself entitled to hope that all
neutrals will acquiesce in these
measures as they have done in the
case of the grievous damages in
fiicted upon them by British meas
ures. all the more so as Germany Is
resolved. for the protection of neu-
trail shipping even in the naval war
zone, to do everything which is at
all compatible with the attainment
of this object.
''In view of the fact that Germany
gave the first proof Of her good will
in fixing a 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
enlng danger. this can most surely be
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
themselves bear the responsibility for
any unfortunate accidents that may
occur. Germany disclaims all re-
sponsibility for such accidents and
Aimed Only at Enemy Ships.
Germany has further expressly
announced the destruction of all
enemy merchant vessels found with
in the war zone. but not the de-
struction Of all merchant vessels, as
the United States seems erroneous
ly to have understood. This restric-
tion which Germany imposes upon
Itself is prejudicial to the aim of our
warfare, especially as in the appli-
cation Of the conception of contra
band practiced by Great Britain to-
ward Germany-which conception
will now also be similarly interpret
ed by Germany-the presumption
will be that neutral ships have con-
traband aboard. Germany naturally
Is unwilling to renounce it's rights
to ascertain the presence of contra
band in neutral vessels. and in GER
tain cases to draw conclusions there
FROM
Germany is ready. finally, to de-
fberate with the United States con-
cerning any measures which might
secure the safety of legitimate ship
ping of neutrals in the war zone.
Germany cannot, however. forbear to
point out that all its efforts in this
direction may be rendered very diff
cult by two circumstances; first, the
misuse OF neutral flags by British
merGhant me- snnn vessels, es which is indubita-
ond, the contraband trade already
mentioned. especially in war mate
rials. on neutral vessels.
Hopes for "Real Neutrality"
Regarding the latter point. Ger
many would fain hope that the
United States after further consid-
Grafton will come to a conclusion
corresponding to the spirit of real
neutrality regarding the first point
The secret order of the British ad-
mira!ty recommending to British
merchant ships the use of neutral
flags has been communicated by Ger
many to the United States and con-
firmed by communication from the
British foreign office, which desig-
mates this procedure as entirely un-
objectionable and in accordance with
British law. British merchant ship
ping Immediately followed this ad-
vice, as doubtless Is known to the
American government from tho
incidents of the Lusitania and the
Laertes.
Moreover, the British government
has supplied arms to British mer-
chant ships and instructed them
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