The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-19
GERMANy'S REPLY ID
 NOTE CAUSES DEEP CONCERN IN AMERICA
Complications May Arise / .s Result of the Raise Q. Attitude-Officials
 fuse Comment

Washington, February 1s.-Germany's reply to the American warning against attacks on American vessels or lives in the new sea war zones increased rather than diminished the concern of officials of the United States government over possible complications, though its friendly tone made n favorable impress sion and gave hope that an understand- ing for the protection of neutraIs mig ht yet be obtained.
 Officials were apprehensive over tho formal statement in the note that Ger many disclaimed all responsibility for what might happen to neutral vessels venturing in the danger area. The addi- tional warning too, that mines would be laid in British waters was regarded not only as menacing to ships carrying legitimate cargoes but as likely to add further to interruptions which American commerce has suffered since the wars outbreak.
 President Wilson and Secretary Bryan read the Associated Press copy of the German note, the official text, delayed in transmission, from Amba ssador Gerard being expected tomorrow. While no com ment was made at either the Whit: House or the state department, the feel ing of grave concern was manifest. That other neutral nations, especially Holland and the Scandinavian countries also are apprehenSive concerning the sit uation and have consulted the United States became known today While ther. is no understanding implying joint ac. ton if any neutral vessels are sunk, tho | Washington government has made Il ! plain that 1t is in accord with the steps already taken by other neutral powers copies of their notes and representations ! having been furnished to officials here. Bryan Is Silent
 Secretary Bryan refused to reveal to- day what steps the. United States woult
 take if American vessels or lives wers | lost and while at the state. war ane navy departments the German note was the subject of informal discussion gen. erally, details of the policy being form. | ulated by the American government were 1 not disclosed
 1 That the United States is looking fo, removal of some of the causes of tnt present complication in the forthcomine answer from England to the American | note concerning the misuse of flags was l intimated in some official quarters Il was pointed out that if categorical as surances were given by Great Britain | and her allies that none of their yes sells would be permitted to fly the Amer | ican or other neutral flags, the safety l of neutral vessels in the war zones would
 be guaranteed and German submarines would be obliged to visit and searcf neutral vessels for contraband before de sticying them as prizes. In this case i it was added, the dangers for neutra | vessels laden with noncontraband car goes would be confined only to mines, tn, l irdiscrlminate laying of which on tn, high seas would be subject of protes by the United States unless pilots o safe channels were given.
 The suggestion in the German note tha American warships should convoy mer
 chantmen was looked upon by officials a l impracticable, because it would impos
 an obligation on the United States t 1 guarantee the character of cargoes O 1 outgoing vessels. a requirement. not GOV
 cred by any domestic law Moreover | if mines were laid, as Germany announce her intention of doing, conveys as wei merchantmen, in the opinion of American
 officials, would be endangered by mines and public opinion in the United State 1 might be much more seriously arouse' | by the destruction of a warship thai
 by a mere merchantmen.
 Sowing of Mines
 In fact, the disposition was to regar
 the sowing of mines in large sea area | as creating a menace more than sub
 marine warfare. When mines were lai in the North sea the American govern ment took the position that it could no determine which of the belligerents wa responsible for the action and did nc protest, especially since pilots wer furnished by Great Britain and neutra vessels were enabled to proceed wit their journeys. With the admission b Germany of her intention to lay mines,
 was intimated that protest might b
 forthcoming, unless pilots were given t
 neutral vessels carrying legitimate cal
 goes.
 As to the announcement in the Germa N note that the German navy would no'
 regard all articles as contraband whic
 Great Britain had sc proclaimed. tn q American government is not expected { enter into any dispute. except in connee ton with those articles against whic