Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-12

In carrying out the policy forcshadowcd
in the admiralty's proclamation, 10 de-
stroy any merchant vessel OF the United
States or cause the death OF American
citizens
at is, OF course. not necessary 10
remnd the German government tha,
the sole right OF n bclliEcrcnt in deal
ing with neutral vessels on the high
seas Is limited To visit and search. UNI
less a blockade Is proclaimed and Of
fectivcly maintained, which this gov
eminent does not understand TO hc
proposed IN this case. To declare or
exercise a RICH; To attack and destroy
any vessel entering a prescribed area
of the high seas without first certainly
determining its belligcrcnt nationality
and the contraband character OF its
cargo would be an net so unprecedented
in naval warfare that this government
is reluctant to believe that the imperial
government; OF Germany In this case
oontemplEtcs Il as possible. The sus-
picion that enemy ships arc using neu-
trail fags Improperly can create no just;
presumption that all ships travcrsinC n
prescribed area are subject To the same
suspicion. II is to determine exactly
such questions that this government
understands the right OF visit and
search to have been recognized.
NOT OPEN TO CRITICISM
or uNNEuTttL ACTION
This government has carefully
noted the explanatory statement issued
by tho imperial German government
1T the same time with the proclamation
OF the German admiralty. and takes
this occasion 10 remind the imperial
German government very respectfully
that tho government OF the United
states Is open to none of the criticism
Of unneutrai action 20 which the Ger
man government believe the govern
mcnts .: certain other neutral nations
have laid themselves open: that the
government OF the United states has
not consented to or acquiosced III any
measures which may have been taken
by tho other belligerent 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 ii in holding those GOV
ernments responsible IN the proper
way for any untOward effects on Amer
lean shipping which the accepted pr!n-
ciplcs\of international law do not jus
fifty. and that Il, therefore. regards
itself free in the present instance,
to take with clear conscience and
upon accepted principles the position
indicated in this note.
III the commanders OF German YES
sells o! war should act upon the pre-
sumption 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, II would be diff
iicult for the government OF the United
states 10 view the act in any other
light than as an indctensiblc violation
of neutral rights. which II would be
very hard indeed Ia reconcile with the
friendly relations now so happily sub
sisting between the two governments.
WOULD HOLD GERMANY
TO STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY
"If such deplorablc situation
should arise, tho imperial German gov
eminent can readily appreciate that the
government OF the United States would
be constrained 10 hold the imperial
German government TO strict ac-
coun;ability for such acts OF their
naval authorities, and to take any
steps II might be necessary 10 take to
safeguard American lives and property
and 10 secure 10 American citizens the
full enjoyment of their acknowledge
nights on the high seas.
The government Of the United
States. IN view OF these conditions.
which II urges with the greatest re-
spect and with the sincere purpose OF
making sure that no misunderstanding
may arise, and 40 circumstance may
occur that might even cloud the inter
course OF the TWO governments eX-
presses the confident hone ana expcc-
tation that the imperial German gov
eminent can and will give assurance
that American citizens and their vessels
VIII not be molested by the naval forces
OF Germany otherwise than by visit
and search. though ,heir vessels NAV
pc travers!ng the sea area dclinl,,d i'm
me proclamation OF the German Ad-
miralty
I, is added 70. tn. information az
the imperial govcr&.ynen. that repre
tsentat!ons have heen 1nade 10 His Brit
annie Majestys government in respect
10 the unwar-antcd use OF the Ameri
can nag for the protection of British
ships
note FOR PRESENTATION
TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT
February 10. 1915.
Inc secretary ot State has instruct
ed Ambassador Page at London 10 pre.
sent TO the British government a uo,s
10 the following effect:
me department has been advised
OF inc declaration OF the German adj
m'ralty on February 4 indicating tina,
inc BRUSH government had OF lam
AIRY 81 explicitly authorized the us. n,
"eu'Fai HhSs on British merchant ycs
seis. presumably for the burmese Of
aNo'u'he recognition by German naval
80 w I''Nl iiIltNlS attention h..c
also heen directed TO renorts In ~
press that the captain Of the Lusiioni.
acting upon orders or information 80
'eiVtn from tho British au,hori.i.s
raised the American flag as MS vessel
approached the British coasts. In ordcr
10 escare anticipated attacks hv ca,
man sunina'!nes. To-day'ss press re-
ports also contain an alleged oBc;,,
statement OF ,he Foreign once d.f.,%
lhs the use Of the flag OF a n.rt,a,
eoun'fN by heliixerent vessci In order
enemy. oF an
Assumins that the foregoing ra-
por!r are true, the government OF nc
Ihlted states, rescrving for future co,
sioetauon The legality and pronr,e,y
Oh me deceptive use OF the far ~ :,
neutral power In any case for The nr-
pose OF avoiding capture. desires ,,.
rehpec'lni!y 20 poiut out TO he nj,
annie Majesty's government IN. s4riom.
consequences which may r.s,l, 80
=. vessels and American citizens
IL TINS practice IL continued
JE0PARDIzEs VESSELS
OF SEI-Tn