Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-21
No Further Pronouncement
Likely Unless American In
tereStS Are Made to Suffer
as Incident of War.
GREAT BRITAIN TO BE
STRONGLY ADVISED AGAIN
Washington Cannot Accept
Contentious Regarding Seiz-
ure and Detention of COndi-
tiOnaI Contraband,

lrs soRNso Iovppsl ersclsl lrseao siAsi
Washington Feb. 30. The United 4
states probably will make no reply |
for the present at least, TO either the /
British or German notes regarding I
respectively. the use OF the American !
flag on foreign vessels and the dan
gers to neutral shipping In the naval |
war zone about the British isles. but |
win stand firmly on lie warning
against destruction of American lives
or vessels
Many officials who know the situn-
tion expect some further move Only IN
event Of an overt act
This was Indicated in high Official
quarters today after the official texts
of the communication had been read.
The documents viii be further exam
med, however, 20 determine whether
there Is anything IN either note which,
IL not answered now, might be con-
strued later as an admission.
Status uf English Reply
In the case OF the note TO Great
Britain obiecting to any general use ot
the American flag by British Vessels,
the communication from England was
not regarded as altering the original
warning OF the United States against
the measure of responsibility which
would seem to be imposed on England
/ IL any American vessels or lives were
lost as a result OF such general praN-
tice, although the denial of any inten-
tion TO make frequent use of the neu-
tral ensign was rcassurlng to officials
The American government already,
/ II was pointed out, has stated In ems
phatie language that Germany would
be held 60 strict accountability for
iany loss Of American vessels 'uF lives
and this warning lH construed by adj
ministrntion officials To be sufficiently
broad also To cover any injury 20
American citizens aboard belligercnt
vessels
should Now stand Pat.
Some high officials are urging that
the United states having made itself
sufficiently clear In it's corresponds
ence with both Germany and Great
| Britain should now remain silent and
observe developments. The arguments
| in both the British and German com
municatlons charging violations OF the
rules of international law and war
fare, II Is held by American govern
ment officials, are of no concern 10
the United States. The breaking down
of the doctrines Of international law
as between the helliRcrents does not
in the view of high officials here, af-
feet tho status of those rules as bee
tween the United States and Great
Britain and Germany, with whom THIS
country is at peace. The position Of
the United states Is based on the right
of ~ neutral 10 demand certain treat
mcnt for It's ships and commeres re-
Fardless Of the respective aciions OF
the heligerents. Further correspOn-
dence with the bellgerents iA opposed
by many officials on the ground that
the American government ought not
tn be drawn into - discussion or the
charges which Great Britain and Ger
many have made toward each other.
VIII Send Reply 10 Grey.
There ls every prospect, however,
that the long British note replying 70
the American protest of December 2S
on the subject Of euntraband VIII
bring forth retolnder from the Unit.
ed States. The discussion thefetn is
enc Of the academic principles OF IN
liernatlonal law ana while officials
here admit that the commerce OF the
United States has been treated much
better by the allies, since the pfotest
was sent, than before, they are un-
willing to set any precedent by ac-
uuese snce IN several Of the British
contentious.
The state department Of late has
received comparatively few com
plants of detontions aud seizure and
the opinion prevails among officlala
that the American note has had its
desired effect.
AS for the note which Great Brit |
ain sent IN the ease of the American
steamer Wllhemina bound for Ger
many with a cargo Of foodstuffa, now
held by the British prize courts, the
state department VIII enter into no
further correspondence on the SUM |
ject awaiting as has been the custom
ary practice. the decision of the prize
court before making diplomatic rep
resentati0ns. The decision Of the 4
court is expected. however to be |
made within reasonable length u /
time and If, I'm the opinion OF the state 4
department. there Is denial Of Justice |
to the American owners a protest VIII
be entered