The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-08

who arrived here ON sunday say
that when of the coast OF Ireland
tho Lusitauia received wireless
order from tho British admiralty
la hoist the American flag. Cap
tain Dow did So and the Lusitania
sailed under that flag to liver
pool"
Washington Feb. Though the
account of the liner Lusitania sail
ing under the American flag, for the
purpose of avoiding being topedoed
by German submarines was the cause
of a great deal of talk here today, in
the absence of any official report On
the subject there was no action
taken about it in any adrninistra-
ton quarter.
II Is very much doubted IL the State
Department does take any action in
the matter beyond an inquiry OF Am
hassador Page as to the truth Of pub
lisheti reports and possibly request
for information as to what connection.
VI any. the British Government had
with the matter or possible similar
uses of the American flag in the fu-
lure.
In all official quarters it was mazda
clear today that the United states
had no municipal law on the SUBJ
iect. and that there is nothing in In
ternational law affording the basis fer
action in the present circumstances.
Those officials most accustomed to
dealing with maritime matters Were
inclined to regard the incident as OF
little consequence. and one which
should occasion no disturbance in any
quarter.
No Basis For Protest.
1T - appreciated in official circles.
however. that the flag incident il
likely to occasion much more commo-
ton in the country generally than tho
German Admiralty announcement,
which Is regarded of greater impor-
tance TO American interests.
II became known tonight that some
members of Congress are consider
ably exercised over the incident, and
vigorous expressions are looked for
in the House and Senate within the
next few days. officials point out,
however, that this Government has
no basis for protest TO anybody. and
will have none, unless Congress sees
fit to pass a law prescribing u PEN
atty for ships touching at American
ports using the American flag with
out proper authority. There is good
reason TO believe, however. that Il
hasty protest to somebody regarding
the Ensitania's use of the flag while
the German Admiralty announcement
is passed over without word. would
be regarded in British quarters as tho
height of inconsistency.
1t is said that there is a general
disposition to excuse the flying of a
nuetral flag by "a merchantmen for
the purpose OF avoiding capture or
destruction at the hands of the ene-
my. Such use OF a neutral flag does
not, of course, entitle the vessel to
any protection from the Government
the flag of which is so used and the
vessel is likely to suffer more severely
IF her deception is discovered by thu
enemy.
Net Clever Ruse.
1t was pointed out tonight tina; tbs
( captain of the Lusitania did only what
any other commander would have done
IL he had reason to fear hostile war
ship, particularly n submarine. though
his choice OF the American flag was
no regarded particularly clever. as
the whole shipping world knows there
are no such giant vessels as tho
Lusitania running under the Ameri-
can flag. Therefore. any shipping man
would have known on sight that rhe
Lusitania was not an American shipL
II was also pointed out tonight that
undoubtedly the American passengers
on board the Lusitania were delighted
at any ruse being adopted which would
render the vessel less likely to de-
struction at the hands of the German
forces
1t is expected here that the Ger
man authorities will hail the LUST
/ tauia Incident as proof OF their con-
tentiou that the British government on
January 81 issued a secret order to its
vessels to use neutral hags British
officials deny this charge. bur point to
the British maritime law. which per-
mits the use of the British flag by
vessels OF other nations for the pur-
pose of avoiding capture. as ground for
( British commanders and the British
government assuming that there would
4 be no objection on the part of neutral
nations to their flags being used tem-
porarily for the same purpose.
New German Program.
In oficiai circles there was much
morandum of the German admiralty In
explanation of the war zone. published
generally today. From this document
/, il was concluded that the new German
| program Is aimed much more at the
neutral countries contiguous To Ger
many than at the United States. This
German intentions are now regarded
largely an attempt to retaliates
against Holland, Sweden. Norway. Dcu,z
mark and Italy. for the agreemenfHs
tthey have entered into with the Brit-
ish government for the prohibitions %
| the expectation OF contrnband OF war
from their territories into GERMANY.
There is little doubt that the Germans
intended to get supplies through the;
neutral countries. bnt ByittAh dfptoss