The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-19
WARNS ENGLAND AND GERMANY
AGAINST MENACING VESSELS
OR LIVES OF AMERi-
CAN CITIZENS.
BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY
Is CLEARLY POINTED OUT
Government Calls Attention to Doubt
Cast Upon Validity of American
Flag by Misuse Sanctioned
by acknowledgements
Create Sensation.

London, Feb. ia dispatch to the
Evening News from Rotterdam says
] that the Dutch steamer Duiderdijk,
flying the Dutch flag, was stopped by
| German submarine in the North sea.
1t was compelled to show its papers,
after which it was permitted to pro-
coed to Rotterdam.
London, Feb. 13.-That the United
States intends to fully protect all of
its rights and privileges is the con-
struction placed on the American notes
to Germany and Great Britain. Al
though the complete text reached here
too late for extensive comment by the
morning papers, there is no question
that the vigorous language used in.
both communications came as a dis
tinct surprise to the majority of Brit
ish diplomats.
There is a general disposition to re-
sent the action of the American state
department in assuming, without first
asking for official information, that.
the British foreign office has sanction
ed the misuse of neutral flags" AS a
matter of fact, the majority of Eng
l1shmen are arguing that, inasmuch as
England has always allowed the use OF
Its flag by merchantmen seeking to
evade capture, it should have the same
right. Were the American note not
accompanied by the present strong
language used in the note to Germany,
it is believed it would arouse severe
irritation.
Washington, Feb. Republication
by the State Department of the text of
the notes sent to Great Britain and
Germany respectively, revealed that
both countries had been warned in
most emphatic terms against menac-
ing the vessels or lives of American
citizens traversing the recently pro-
claimed sea zones of war.
Germany was advised that the
United States would be constrained
to hold the imperial government to a
strict accountability" for such acts of
it's naval authorities as might result
in the destruction of American YES
sells or the loss of American lives and
that if such deplorable situation
should arise" the American govern
ment would take any steps it might
be necessary to take to safeguard
American lives and property.
Points Out Responsibility.
To Great Britain the United States
pointed out the measure of RESPONSE
bility' which would seem to be i'm
posed on the British government "for
the loss of American vessels and lives
in case of an attack by German naval
force" If Great Britain sanctioned the
general misuse of the American flag
by British vessels and thereby cast
doubt upon the valid character of the
neutral ensigns.
The two communications we're to
have been presented respectively to
the British government by Ambassa-
dor Page and to the German foreign
office by Ambassador Gerard. They
were prepared by Counsellor Robert
and revised by President Will
soil and Secretary Bryan, after consul
tation with the entire cabinet.
The British, Spanish, and Brazilian
ambassadors, who happened to call at
the state department, were given cop
les of the notes, as were the ministers
of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark,
who specially requested it.
Documents Create Sensation.
The documents created something of
= sensation among the diplomats gen.
orally, because of what some regarded
as their drastic implications. High
officials of the American government
pointed out informally that it had
been deemed advisable to speak in I'M
terms now rather than
await the alarming effects on Ameri-
can public opinion which might ensue
from the sinking of vessel with
scores Of American citizens. The notes
the officials were confident, would
serve as preventative of the critical
possibilities discussed in them. q