The Washington herald., 1915-02-12
u. S. Holds Germany
Responsible for Any
Firing on Our Ships

the explanatory statement issued by the
| imperial German government at the same
time with the proclamation OF the Ger
man admiralty. and takes this occasion
| to remind the imperial German govern
ment very respectfully that the govern
ment OF the United States is open to
none of the criticisms for unneutraI aC-
tion to which the German government
believes the governments of certain other
neutral nations have laid themselves
open; that the government OF the GniteQ
States has not consented to onr aCqul-
esCed in any measures which may have
been taken by the other belliEerent ma
tions in the present war which operate
to restrain neutral trade. but has. on the
contrary. taken in all such matters a po-
sition which warrants il in holding those
governments responsible in the proper
way for any untOwaTd effects on Ameri-
can shipping which the accepted princi-
Piles Of International law do not justify:
and that II, 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.
"If the commanders of German vessels
Of war should act upon the presumption
that the flag Of the United States was
not being used in good faith and should
destroy on the high seas an American
vessel or the lives OF American citizens.
1t would be difficult for the government
OF the United States to view the act in
any other light than as an lndefensible
violation of neutral rights which II would
be very hard indeed to reconcile with
the friendly relations now so happily
subsisting between the two governments.
"If such a deplorable situation should
arise. the imperial German government
can readily appreciate that the govern
ment OF the United States would be con-
strained 70 hold the imperial German
government to a strict accounta bility
for such acts Of their naval authorities
and take any steps It might be necessary
TO take to safeguard American lives and
property and to secure to American cltl-
Gems the full enjoyment of their acknowl-
edged rights on the high seas.
U. 9. Hopes for Assurance.
The government of the United
States. in view OF these considerations.
which it urges iwth the greatest re-
spect and with the sincere purpose OF
making sure that no misunderstAndln e
may arise and no circumstance occur
that might even cloud the intercourse
OF the two governments. expresses the
confident hope and expectation that
the Imperial German government can
and will give assurance that American
citizens and their vessels will not be
molested by the naval forces Of Ger
many otherwise than by visit and
search, though their vessel may be
traversing the sea area delimited IN the
proclamation OF the German admiralty.
TT IL added for the information OF
the Imperial government that repre-
sentations have been made to His
Britannia Majesty's government IN re-
spect to the unwarrGatsd use of the
American nag for the protection of
British ships"
Note to Ambassador Pare.
The Secretary Of State has instructed
Ambassador Page, At London, to present
20 the British government q note TO the
following effect:
The department. has been advised OF
the declaration OF the German admiralty
on February indicating that the British
government had on January II explicitly
authorised the uSs OF neutral hAga on
Britiah merchant Vessala presumably for
the purpose Of avoiding reeegnition ~