Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-21
AMERICA STANDING
FlRMLYON WARNING
United States Will Not Yet Reply to
English and German Notes, but
viii Await Developments.
PROTEST. 10 BRITAIN EFFECTIVE

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The
unsted States probably will make no
reply for the present. at least. to.
Neither the British or German hotes
REGARDING, respectively. the use of the
Auasricsn flag on foreign vessels and
the dangers to neutral shipping in
Ms naval war zone about the British
I isles, but will stand firmly on its
warning againAt destruction Of
American lives or vessels.
Many offiSais. who bnow the situ-
alton, expect some further move In
event Of an overt act.
Authoritatiyely Indicated.
This was indicated In high official
quarters today, after the official texts Of
the COMMUNICATIONS had been read.
The documents VIII be further exam
Ined. however. to determine whether
there is anything IN either note which, II
not answered now. might be construed
later as an admission.
In the case OF the note 10 Great Britain
objecting TO any general use Of the
American flag by British vessels. the
communication from England was not
regarded as altering the original warning
OF the Bnited States against the measure
of responsibility which would seem to be
imposed on England II any American ves-
sells or lives were lost as a result OF such
general practice. although the denial OF
any intention to make frequent use OF
the neutral ensign was reassuring to Of
ficials.
Warning Covers Ground.
The American government already. it
was pointed out, has stated in emphatic
llanguRge that Germany would be held to
rstriet accountability" for any loss Of
American vessels ''or ives and this
warning is construed by administration
officials to be sufficiently broad also to
cover any injury TO American citizens
aboard belligerent vessels
Some high officials are urging that the
United States, having made it's position
sufficiently clear IN its correspondence
with both Germany and Great Britain,
should now remain silent and. observe de-
vslopnaents. The arguments in both the
British and German communications
charging Violations OF the rules OF inter-
national Law and warefare.. It is held by
American government Officials. are Of no
concern 10 the United States. The break
ing down OF the doctrines Of international
law as between the belllgerents does not
in the view OF the high officials here
affect the status Of those rules as be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
and Germany. with whom this country Is
at,peace
Further PnrleyH Opposed.
The position of the United states Is
based on the right OF = neutral to demand
certain treatment for is ships and COM
merce regardless OF the respective actions
OF the belilgerents. Further correspond
ence with the belligerenta Is opposed by
many officials on the ground that the
American government ought not 20 be
drawn into discussfaa Of the charges
which Great Britain ana Germany have
made toward each other
There Is every prospect that the long
British note replying to the American
protest Of December Is on the subject OF
contraband viii bring forth a rejoinder
from the United States. The discussion
Is one Of the academic principles OF inter
(Conflnued on PAGE TWO. Column Four)