Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-12
STERNLY WARNED
|. AGAINST MENAC|NG
AMERICAN LIVES
Germany Advised She Will
Be Held to Strict
Accountability.
HOPE NO ACT WILL END
FRIENDLY RELATIONS
Protest to Great Britain on Cen
eral Misuse of Ameri-
can Flag.
DOUBT ON NEUTRAL ENsIGNs
drastic implications OF Documents
create Sensation Among Diplo-
mats in Washington.
DOUBT ON NEUTRAL ENsIGNs

WASHINGTON. February 1l,-Publi-
cation tonight by the State Depart
ment OF the texts Of notes sent yester-
day to Great Britain and Germany, re-
spectiVely. revealed that both countries
mad been warned in most emphatic
terms against menacing the vessels or
lives OF American citizens traversinr
the recently proclaimed sea zones OF
war.
Germany was advised that the United
states would be constrained to hold
the Imperial government to a strict nc
countability" for any acts of it's naval
authorities which might result in the
obstruction or American vessels or the
loss OF American lives, and that If
such deplorable situation should
ARISE the American government would
take any steps it might be necessary
TO safeguard American lives and prop
crty."
To Great Britain the United States
pointed out ''the measure of responsi
pliity which would seem to be imposed
on the British government FOR the loss
OK american vessels and lives In case
OF an attack by German naval force"
IL England sanctioned general misuse
or the American flag. and thereby cast
doubt upon the valid character OF neu
trail ensigns
COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTED
IN LONDON AND BERLIN
The communications were to have
oeen presented to-day by Ambassador
rage at London and by Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin. They were prepared
Dy Counselor Robert Lansing and re-
Vised by President Wilson and Secre-
tary Bryan, after CO.. ference with the
entire Cabinet.
The British, Spanish and Brazilian
ambassadors were given copies Of the
notes. as were the ministers of Sweden.
Norway and Denmark. The documents
created a sensation among diplomats
generally, because OF what some re-
garded rs their drastic Implications
High officials OF the American gov
crnment pointed informally that II had
peeh 'seemed advisable to speak in un-
ihis'akaoie terms now. rather than to
await the alarming effect upon Ameri-
can public opinion which might ensue
from the sinking oc a vessel with
scores OF American citizens. Tho notes
officials were confident, would prevent
the critical possibilities discussed I'm
them.
Diplomats examined with great in
terest the language OF the communi-
cations, and some construed the note
TO Germany as a warning that the loss
or American lives by sinking even a
belligerent ship would be covered by
tho representations of the American
government. because of the insistence
that all merchant ships must be visited
and searched and passengers taken off
before ships can be sunk
FULL TEXT OF NOTES
Is MADE PUBLIC
The full text OF the notes as made
public at the State Department tonight
follow:
February 10. 1915.
THE Secretary of state has instructed
American Ambassador Gerard at Berlin
to present to the German government a
note to the following effect:
The government OF the United
states having had Its attention d!-
rected to the proclamation OF the Ger
man admiralty issued on the 4th or
February. that the waters surrounding
Great Britain and Ireland, including
the whole OF the English Channel. are
TO be considered as comprised within
the seat OF war: that all enemy mcr-
chant vessels found in those waters
after the 18TH instant viii he DESTROYED
although 1t may not always be possi-
BILE TO save crews and passengers and
that neutral vessels expose themselves
to danger within this zone OF war. be-
cause. In view OF the misuse OF neutral
flags said to have been ordered by the
British government on the 3lst or
January. and OF the contingencies OF
maritime warfare, it may not be posi-.
Bile always to exempt neutral vessels
from attacks intended 10 strike enemy
ships. feels Ii TO be It's duty 10 call the
attention OF the imperial German gov
ernment. with sincere respect and tho
most friendly sentiments. but very
candidly and earnestly, TO the very Sc
rious possibilities OF the course OF ac-
ton apparently contemplated under
that proclamation.
VIEWS POSSIBILITIES
WITH GRAVE; CONCERN
The government OF the United
States Views those possibilities with
such grave concern that IL feels II TO
be It's privilege and, indeed. Its duty In
the circumstances 10 request the Inn
perial German government to consider,
before action is taken. the critical sltua-