The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-05-14

Wilson Strongly Protested Against
War Zone Proclamation and Declared
That This Nation Would Hold Ger
many to Strict Accountability Should
Single American Life Be Sacrificed.
Following Is the full text OF the note
of warning sent on Feb. 10 by the
state department to Germany:
Feb. 10. 1915.
The secretary of state has instructed
Ambassador Gerard. at Berlin. to present
to the German government a note to the
following effect:
THE government OF the United States,
having had It's attention directed to the
proclamation of the German admiralty.
issued on the 4th OF February. tina the
waters surrounding Great Britain and Ire
land. including the whole of the English
channel, are to be considered as compris-
ed within the seat OF war: that all enemy
merchant vessels found In those waters
after the 18th instant will be destroyed.
although IL may not always be possible to
save crews and passengers, and that neu-
tral vessels xpose themselves to danger
within this zone OF war because. In view
OF the misuse OF neutral flags. said to
have been ordered by the British govern
ment on the s1st of January and of the
contingencies of maritime warfare. II may
not be possible always to exempt neutral
vessels from attacks intended TO strike
enemy ships. feels IL to be Its duty to call
the attention OF the imperial German gov
eminent with sincere respect and the
most friendly sentiments. but very can
didly and earnestly. to the very serious
possibilities of the course of action APP
p~arently contemplated under hat procla-
nation.
The government Of the United
States views these possibilities with
such grave concern that il feels IL to
be its privilege and indeed it's duty in
the circumstances to request the i'm
perial German government to consider
before action is taken the critical situa-
ton in respect of the relation between
this country and Germany which might
arise were the German naval forces, in
carrying out the policy foreshsdowed
in the admiralty's proclamation, to de-
stroy any merchant vessel Of the
United States or cause the death Of
American citizens.
Unprecedented Act.
1T Is. OF course, not necessary to re-
mind the German government that the
sole right of a belligerent In dealing with
neutral vessels pm the high seas is linn
tied to visit and search. unless a blockade
Is proclaimed and effectively maintained.
which this government does not under
stand TO be proposed In this case. To de-
clare or exercise a right 10 attack and
destroy any vessel entering a prescribed
area OF the high seas without first GER
tainly determining it's belligerent nation
ality and the contraband character of Its
cargo would be an act 50 unprecedented
I'm naval warfare that this government Is
reluctant to believe that the imperial gov
ernment Of Germany in this case contem-
plates IL as possible. The suspicion that
enemy ships are using neutral flags i'm
properly can create no just presumption
that all ships traversing a prescribed area
are subject to the same suspicion. IL Is
to determine exactly such questions hat
this government understands the right OF
visit and search to have been recognized.
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 occasion to re-
mind 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 government believes the gov
ernments of certain other neutral nations
have laid themselves open: that the gov
OF the United States has not con-
scented to or acquiesced In any measures
which may have been taken by the other
beiligerent nations In the present war
which operate to restrain neutral trade,
but has. or the contrary, taken In all
such matters a position which warrants IL
In holding those governments responsible
In fh. aAwa.
fects on American shipping which the ac-
cepted principles OF international law do
not Justify. and that 1t therefore REGARDS
itself as free In the present instance to
take with a clear conscience and upon
accepted principles the position indicated
In this note.
DspIorabIe Situation.
"lf tho commanders of German YES
sells OF war should act upon the pre-
sumption that the flag Of the United
States was not being used in good faith
and should destroy or the high ssas
an American vessel or the lives Of
American citizens Il would BE- difficult
for the government Of the United States
to view tho act in any other light than
as az in~defensibis violation Of neutral
rights which it would be very hard in
deed to reconcile with the friendly re-
lations now happily subsistino between
the two governments.
"lf such q depIorsble situation should
arise the imperial German government
can readily appreciate that the gov
eminent Of the United States would be
constrained to hold the imperial Ger
man government to q strict accounta-
bility for such acts Of their naval au-
thoritiss and to take any steps il
might be necessary TO take to safe
guard American lives and property and
to secure to American citizens tire full
enjoyment of their acknowledged
rights on the high seas.
"The government of the United States,
In view OF these considerations which II
urges with the greatest respect and with
the sincere purpose Of making sure that
no Observation-Disclosures may arise and no