The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-19

has supplied aims to British merchant
bps aud instructed them forcIb.y 10
resist German submarines. IN lneSe
circumstances u wouia he very dlfiicuis
Tor submarines to recognize merchan.
ships, Tor search in most cases cannot
lie undertaken, seeing tnat IA the Case
h Il a disguised British snlp from which
an attack may be expected the sea rch-
ing party ana the submarine would be
- posed to dectructioII
HFcat BRIAN. then, was in a posi-
uon to make the German measures
illusory II ,hr British merchant feet
persisted in :ho misuse OF neutral
flags and neutral ships could not
otherwise he recognized beyond doubt
Germany. however. t.sing in "A state Of
necessity. wherein she was placed by
violation of law, must r,nder effective
hef measures n al Circumsta nces in
order thereby q compel Eer adversary
To adopt methods oi warfare coyres-
bonding with International law. and
so 10 restore the freedom of the sAas
which Germany at all times is the de-
iend'l and for when she today Is
fighting
Germany therefore. rejoices that
the United States has made represen-
latiors to Great Iiritaiu concerning the
Illegal E@e of heir llaE and expresses
tho expectation that This procedure
will force Great Britain 10 respect the
American flag ~ th" trture. In this
expectation commanders OF German
submarines hay ueer instructed, US
already mcutip ~ The note Of
February T. tu efrain from violent
action against Amer can merchant
vessels, 50 far as these can be recog-
Li2ei.
Conveys suggested.
In order To prevent in the surest
manner the consequences of con.
fusion--thuugh naturally not SO far as
mines are concerned C q m any
recommends that the United States
max" their ships which are conveying
peaceful CarEpcs through the British /
W3r zone dtsc"nceruible by means Of
conveys.
"i.cFmau! believes it may act ON the
Supp"SltipU that only such ships
would ~" conveyed as carried goods
not reg 'rd"d rs contra band according
l" mo BRUSH Interpretation made III 1
the case of Germany
How this method Of con3ey can be
Carried out is question concerning
when Germany is ready to open ncgo-
tiRtions With the United States as soon
"a possible. Germany would be par
tIcular'S grateful. however. IL the
nt|ed states would urgently recon
.nend 90 It's merchant vessels to avoid
Wv ID 4Nt9ti titN III WIT zone, IN any case
tn'ii the settlement of the flag dues-
ton.
Germany is inclinod to the con-
Ident hope that the United States WI (
br able To appreciate In its entire sig
H'hcanre the heavy battle which Ger
many - waging for existence and thar
nom the to-. going explanations and
promises it will acquire fun under.
1ahdlng ~ the motives and the aims
~ lhe measures announced nv Ger
many.
'ferm1H5 repeats that it has now
resolved upon tn" projected measures
"hIE lnd"r tn" stronges- necessity OF
national Sflf~defcDs". such measures
having been It, ferred cut of xonsidera
tlon Tor heHtralS If the United States
IN View of the weight which II "a
justified in throwing ana able to thr 80
INTO the scales Of the fate of peoples
Should succeed at tho last moment
removing he ground which make that
procedure al obligatory duty for Ger
IiahN. and II the American Govern
ment in particular should find a wav
10 MAKE he declaration of London re-
spected-on behalf also of those
powers which are fighting en- Ger
many = side--dnd Thereof. make nos
Aipie Tor Germany legitimate ity,porf
i.ut n of the neceFsaries Of life and in
ouSiI@l raw material, then the Ger.
f0h0 Government could not too hirhlv
appreciate srch a service rendered in
thH interests of humane methods al
wa fare. ana would gladly draw con-
{ CT l@ions from the nev situation