Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-18

a prescribed area are subject to the
suspicion.
UNITED STATES STRICTLY NEU-
TRIAL.
This government has carefully noted
the explanatory statement issued by the
imperial German government at the
same time with the proclamation of the
German admiralty and takes this oc-
aston to remind the imperial German
government very respectfully that the
government of the United States is open
to none of the criticisms for unneutral
action to which the German govern
mont believe the Governments Of certain
other neutral nations have laid them
selves open: that the government Of the
United States has not consented to or
acquiesced i'll any measures which may
have been taken by the other helli-
serent nations in the present war which
operate to restrain neutral trade, but
has on the contrary taken in all such
matters "a position which warrants it in
holding those governments responsible
IL the proper way for any untoWard cf-
fects on American shipping which the
accepted principles Of i~nternationa law
do not Justify; and that it therefore re-
CARDS itself as free in the present in
stance to take with a clear conscience
and upon accepted principles the posi-
ton Indicated in this note"
The note continues that if German
warships Commanders should act on the
presumption that the American flag was
not being used in good faith and should
destroy American vessels or lives. then
'it n.orlJ ho liffi1tilt'' for IN, I-nytal
States ITO view the act in any other
light than as an indcfcnsible violation
of neutral tights which it would he very
hard indeed to reconcile with the friendly
relations now happily subsisting between
the two governments"
Should this question arise. the note
continues, Germany can readily appre-
ciate' that the United States would be
constrained to hold Germany TO n strict
accountability" and to take any steps
it might he necessary to safeguard
| American lives and property and secure
American rights. In view Of these con-
| sidcrations, urged with respect and with
| the sincere purpose of making sure that
! no misunderstanding may arise" the
note concludes, the United States eN-
presses the confident hope and expecta-
ton that Germany "can and will give
assurance that American citizens and
their vessels will not be moleSted by the
naval vessels otherwise than by visit
and search"
The note informs Germany that repre-
sensations have been made TO Great
Britain 'in respect to the unwarranted
use of the American flag for the pro-
lection of British ships"
THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT.
The note to the British government
will be presented through Ambassador
Page at London. 1t sets forth that thS
state department has been advised OF
the declaration of the German admiralty
Indicating that Britain authorized hel
ships to use neutral flags and of the
Lusltania incident. Assuming that these
reports arc true, the note declares, the
United States rcscrVing for future con
sideration tho legality and propriety OF
such use Of a neutral flag, desires t.
point out the serious consequences which
might result to American vessels anc
citizens should the practice be contin
ued. The note goes on:
THE occasional use of the nag of {
neutral or an enemy under the stress
of immediate pursuit and to doceiv'
an approaching enemy. which appears
by the press reports to be represented
as the precedent and justification useC
to support this action seems to thii
EoVernment a very different thinl
from an explicit sanction by a bellig
erent government for its merchan
ships generally to fly the flag of "A neu
trail power within certain portions o
the hig seas which are presumed I,
be frequented with hostile warships
The formal declaration OF such a pol
icy of general misuse of a neutral
flag je~opardizes the vessels of the neu
tral visiting those waters in "A peculia
degree by raising the presumption tina
they are of %belligerent nationality re
CARELESS of the flag which they ma.
carry"
MENACE TO AMERICANS.
The British note states further that /
view of the German sea zone proclama
ton the United states would view wit
anxious solicitude" any genera use Q