The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-09
WILSON TALKS
WITH ADVISERS
DISCUSS DANGERS TO NEU.
TRIAL SHIPS IN NEW WAR
ZONES
ALSO USE OF THE.
AMERICAN FLAG
Diplomatic Correspondence Be-
tween U. S. and Great Britain
and Germany May Follow
N,y As.ncintn.i Pms.


WASHINGTON. NH.. S.-Informal
discussion by President Wilson with
ms advisers of German notification of
the dangers TO which neutral ships
NAV be> subjected In the newly pro-
scribed war zones around Great Brit
aiI ana ireland. and the use by the
british liner Lusitania Of the Ameri-
can flag. foreshadowed today dipIo-
matte correspondence between the
unlled states and both Great Britain
AND Germany on these questions.
The American government being
neutral. cannot discuss rules which
The belligerents may adopt toward
each other The prescription of the
war zone. however, or the use OF n
neutral flag by belIiegerent owned
vessels, as strategem of war has NOT
given the American ofiicjaiz. concern
so much as the prospect lint these
acts may endanger the iives of Amer
lean citizens. whose righ to travel on
the high seas on neutral ships during
time Of war, it is understood, will he
vigorously defended
The situation will be discussed to-
morrow ut cabinet meeting. For
mai INQUIRIES as ito what step: the
German naval commanders VIII take
10 protect neutfalB travelling on mar
chant siiips and requests for informa-
tion as to- the use OF Aiaericnn flags
~ Britt ships generally It IS under.
sstpod IS low. G.
latly d iitfaa d fiipionis st ts were ltf sfi.ae
state uepaf ffnienf today and WhiIe
none proposed joint action with the
American government. they sought
Information" for the gnidance of their
own foreign Offices. Chairman Flood
nnd Representative Cline OF the honse
foreign affairs committee. also dis
cusSed the subietI with Mr.. BRYAN,
but declined to talk of their visit af.
terwards .i 5f
IL was appa, snt on all sides here
that the German proclamation and the
iusitania incident touched more
closely perhaps the position of neu-
trails than any other occurahce of the
war. In some quarters Engiand's at
utude toward certain articles OF the
Declaration OF London was reviewed
with interest. Great Britain has an
nonnced she would abide by this pro-
vision in the declaration:
The transfer of an enemy vessel
TO neutral flag, effected after the
outbreak OF hostilities, is void un-
'~So - 10 Potcu tHdt 6uCH transfer
was not made In order to evade the
consequences TO which an enemy yes
sci, AZ such, Is exposed. There, how
ever, Is an absolute presnn. ption that
transfer is void ii the transfer has
been made during voyage or In
port" -
Some officials suggested this pro-
vision might be construed to apply to
the case OF the Lusitanie.
The Lusitania incident evoked n
speech In the hoase by Representa
tive Martin Of South Dakota. who an
nounced that the favored legislation
at this session to prohibit the use of
the American colors on any but Amer
lean vessels, and TO make IL an Of
fen5e for the master OF any foreign
vessel. whether belligerent or not. TO
ny the American flag over a ship. He
said the penalty. should be confisca-
tion OF the vessel and fine for the
commander If the ship returned to
American Jurisdiction.
The state. department issued de-
NAL of reports that Ambassador
Page had "telegraphed tha. the Brit
ish government after having secured
tbs owner OF the cargo or the Will
helmina, would seize all cargoes OF
foodstnffs destined to Germany with
out making compensation therefor"