Evening star., 1915-02-19

usual FRIDAY meeting, formal consider
alton of Germany's reply, which had been
expected. did not take place because
there We're no adviceS from Berlin before
the President. On the unofficial report
OF the text published yesterday, how
ever. the general situation was discussed
informally.
Situation Not Threatening.
After the ca binet meeting it was said
that officially it was considered that
the situation was not at all threaten
ing and that the administration had
no fear that any American ship would
be sunk.
The suggestion of Germany in the
latest note to the United States that
means be found for Identifying and
safeguarding American ships ventur-
ing into the war zone vas understood
to have been taken up.
1t was agreed. however. that the
American government has no authority
to order ships to adopt such measures
as taken in Holland and the Scandi-
navian countries. which include the
painting of the nationality of the ship
in large letters on each side.
1t was understood, however. that in
quiries will be sent to maritime fn-
surance companies to learn If any
flying neutral ships. . ----
Expects London to Aid.
That the United States is looking
for a removal of some of the causes of
the present complication in the forth
coming answer from England to the
American note concerning the misuse of
flag was intinia ted in some official quar-
ters. 1t was pointed out that If categori-
cal assurances were given by Great
Britain and her allies that none of their
vessels would be permitted to fly the
American or other neutral flags, the safe
ty of American vessels in the war zones
would be guaranteed and German sub
marines would be obliged to visit and
search neutral vessels for contraband be-
fore destroying them as prizes. In this
case, 1t was added. the dangers for neu-
tral vessels laden with non-contra ba nd
cargoes would be confined only to mines,
the indiscriminate laying of which on the
high seas would be a subject of protest
by the United States unless pilots or safe
channelS were given.
Mines Cause Fears.
The suggestion in the German note
that conveys of American warshIps
should accompany American merchant
men was looked upon by officials as i'm
practicable. because it would impose an
obligation on the United States to guar
antee the character of cargoes of out
going vessels. a requirement not covered
by any domestic law. Moreover. IL
mines were laid, as Germany announces
her intention of doing. conveys, in the
opinion of American officials. would be
still endangered by mines. and public
opinion in the United States might be
much more seriously aroused by the de-
struction of warship than by a mer-
chantman-
In fact the disposition was to regard
the sowing of mines in large sea areas
as creating menace greater than sub
marine warfare.
When mines were laid in the North
sea the American government took the
position that it could not determine
which of the belligerents was RESPONSE
BILE for the action, and did not protest.
especially since pilots were furnished
by Great Britain and neutral vessels
journeys. With the admission by Ger
many of her intention to lay mines,
it was intimated that a protest might
be Forthcoming, unless pilots were
given to neutral vessels carrying legi-
innate cargoeS.
Contraband Destruction.
"A
man note that the German navy would
now regard all articles as contraband
which Great Britain had so proclaimed,
the American government is not ex-
pected to enter into any dispute, ex-
cept in connection with those articles
against which it already has protested
to the allies. The right to intercept
contra band cargoes and even DESTROY
them at sea. If contra band constitutes
more than half the cargo of shin is
an admbitted right. though proof later
must he presented to bear out such
q action.
In German official quarters here the
possibility of complications with neu-
trails over the war zone decree was
not regarded as likely to occur because
If was pointed out that Germany's
rampaign was aimed at steamers car
rying cargoes of contraband and not
vessels devoted entirely to passenger
trafhc. There would be no object. il
passenger ships. although they might
be captured and diverted from their
courses.
Think Big Liners Are Safe.
i. was said that not only was II
,robab BILE that German submarines
would carefully avoid interference
with any American ships. 1T that they
xould also refrain from attacking any
If the big transatlantic liners even AZ
hey were under the French or Brit
sh fags.
These great liners carry no such car
goes and their entire capacity is con-
sumed by passengers and the thou |
sans of tons Of coal necessary to maze
tn, transatlantic voyage at high speed !