Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-12
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Washington. Feb. adjudication /
by the state department tonight OF the
texts Of the note sent yesterday TO
Great Britain and Germany respec-
lively, revealed that both countries
had been warned In most emphatic |
terms against menacng the vessels OF
lives of American citizens traVerslng |
the recently proclaimed sea zones OF
war
Germany was advised that the Unit
ed states would be constrained TO !
hold the imperial government to a
strict accountability for such acts OF
its naval authorities as might result
In the destruction OF American Nes-
sells or the loss OF American lives and
that if such "A deplorablc situation
should arise the American govern
ment would take any steps II might
be necessary to take to safeguard Am
erican lives and property,
England Not Excused
To Great Britain, the United States
pointed ,ui "a measure Of responslhils
lty,n would secni 10 be imposed on
the British government for the loss
Of American vessels and Lives In case
OF an attack by a German naval
force II England sanctioned the gem
eral misuse OF the American flag by
British vessels and thereby east doubt
upon the valid character of neutral
ensigns
The two communications were TO
have been presented today, respec-
lively, 20 the British government by
Ambassador Page and the German
foreign office by Ambassador Gerard.
They were prepared by Counsellor
Robert Lansing and revised by presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan af-
ter consultation with the entire cab
met.
Copies To Neutral Powers.
The British, Spanish ana Brazilian
ambassadors who happened to call at
the state department. were given
copies OF the notes as were the mtnis-
ters Of S1oden, Norway and Denmark,
who specially requested II. The docu-
mentH created something of sonsa-
ton among the diplomats generally
because Of what some regarded as
their drastic implications. High of
ficiqls OF the American government
pointed cut informally that II had
been deemed advisable to speak iu un-
await the Attaining effect upon Am
ercan public opinion which miSht en-
sue from the sinking Of a vessel with
scores OF American citizens. The
notes. officials were confident, would
serve as 4 preventative Of the critical
possibilities described IN them.
Diplomats Interested.
Diplomats examined with great in
terest the language Of the commune
ications ard some of them construed
the note to Germany as warning
that the loss Of American lives by
sinking even helligerent merchant
ship would be covered by the repre-
sentations OF the American govern
ment because of the insistence that
all merchant ships must be visited and
searched nd passengers taken Oft be-
fore ships can be sunk.
The fun texts OF the notes as made
public at the state department TO-
night follow
February 10. lal5--The secre-
tary Of state has Instructed Ambassa-
dor Gerard at Berlin, to present TO
the German government a note 70 the
following effect
The government Of the United
states having had is attention d.
rected Go the proclamation Of the
German admiralty issued On the tth
Of February, that the waters sur
rounding Great Britain and Ireland,
including the whole Of the English
channel, are 20 be considered as COM
prised within the seat of war that
all enemy merchant vessels found In
those waters after the 18th instant,
will be destroyed although II may
not always be possible 60 save the
crews and passengers, and that nett
tral vessels expose themselves 20
danger within this zone Of war be-
cause IN view of the misuse OF nen-
tral flags said 70 have been ordered
By the British government on the
3lst of January and of the coniingen-
eies of maritime warfare, u may not
be possible always TO exempt neutral
vessels from attacks intended TO
strike enemy ships, feels 1t TO be its
duty to call the attention of the im-
perial German government, with sin
cere respect and the most friendly SEN
timents, but very candidly and earn
estly. to The very serious possibilities
OF the course OF action apparently
contemplated under that proclama-
ton.
Views With Grave Concern.
The government of the United
States views those possibilities with
such grave concern that 1t feels Il to-
be its privilege and. indeed its duty
in the circumstances, 70 request the
imperial German government TO con-
slider before action Is taken the crIt-I