Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-02-18
j. 8. To PROTECT
FLAG AND SHIPS
Warning Is Sent to Great Britain
ard Germany.
WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
Note Sent by Bryan Says They VIII
Be Held to Strict Account for
Any Loss of Amer
lean Lives.

Washington, Feb. 13.-Notes sent to
Great Britain and Germany and made
public by the state department on
Thursday indicate the possibility Of
a crisis in the efforts of the United
States government to maintain neu-
trality toward the European belliger-
cnts.
The secretary of state has instruct
ed Ambassador Gerard at Berlin to
present to the German government a
note to the following effect:
The government of the United
States, having had it's attention direct
ed to the proclamation of the German
admiralty issued on February 4, that
the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland, including the whole Of the
English channel, are to be considered
as comprised within the seat Of war;
that all enemy merchant vessels found
IN those waters after the 18th inst will
be destroyed. although it may not al
ways be possible to save crews and
passengers, and that neutral vessels
expose themselves to danger within
this zone of war because, in view of
the misuse Of naval flags said to have
been ordered by the British govern
ment on January 81, and Of the con-
ungencies of maritime warfare, it may
not be possible always to exempt neu-
trail vessels from attacks intended to
strike enemy ships, feels it to be it's
duty to call the attention of the i'm
per1al government, with sincere re-
spect and the most friendly senti-
ments, but very candtdly and earnest
~, to the very serious possibilities of
the course of action apparently con-
templated under that proclamation.
The government of the United
States views those possibilities with
such grave concern that it feels it to
be its privilege, and, indeed, it's duty
IN the circumstances, to request the
imperial German government to con-
slider before action is taken the critical
situation in respect of the relation be-
tween this country and Germany which
might arise were the German naval
forces, in carrying out the policy fore
Swallowed in the admiralty's prOclama-
ton. to destroy any merchant vessel
of the United States or cause the
death Of American citizens.
TO declare or exercise a right to at
tack and destroy any vessel entering a
prescribed area of the high sea with
out first certainly determining its bel
fgerent nationality and the contra
band character of its cargo would be
an act so unprecedented in naval war
fare that this government is reluctant
to believe that the imperial govern
ment of Germany in this case contem-
plate it as possible.
IF the commanders of German YES
sells of 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, it would be diff
ficult for the government of the United
States to view the act in any other
light than as an indefensible violation
of neutral rights.
If such a deplorable situation
should arise, the imperial German gov
eminent can readily appreciate that
the government of the United States
would be constrained to hold the i'm
perial German government to a strict
accountability for such acts of their
naval authorities and to take any
steps it might be necessary to take to
safeguard American lives and proper
~ and to secure to American citizens
the full enjoyment of their acknOwI-
edged rights on the high seas
The government of the United
States expresses the confident hope
and expectation that the imperial Ger
man government can and will give as
suTance that American citizens and
their vessels will not be molested."
The secretary of state has instruct
ed Ambassador Page at London to
present to the British government a
note to the following effect:
Deceptive use of the flag of the
United States in the sea area defined
in the German declaration would
greatly endanger the vessels of a
friendly power navigating those wa
ters and would even seem TO impose
upon the government of Great Britain
a measure of responsibility for the
loss of American lives and vessels In
case Of an attack by a German naval
force.
Impress upon his majesty's govern
ment the grave concern which this
government feels in the circum-
stances