The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1915-02-12
BRITAIN HOLDS
UP W|LHELM|NA
Food Ship to Germany Is Stop
ped at Falmouth.
TEST OF CONTRABAND ORDER

uIation but Status Complicated by
German Government Taking Over
All Food - Administration Tells
Britain II Disapproves Flying Flag.
Washington, Feb. IA London dis
patch to New York newspaper says
that the Wilhelmina was seized of
Falmouth by the British.
1t is generally understood that the
shipment Of food stuffs by the VIII
helmina is to furnish a test case to
determine whether the British govern
ment can stop American vessels from
entering German ports bearing food
products.
1t has been contended that food
stuffs for the use of civilians only
would not be classified as contraband
of war Subsequent to the sailing Of
the Wilhelmina the German govern
ment announced it's intention of seiz-
ins all food products in Germany,
whereupon Great Britain declared all
food products to be contraband
There is possibility that the
American commission for relief in
Belgium will be successful in its ef-
forts to purchase the steamer Will
helmina and her cargo of supplies.
The owners OF the steamer and Of the
cargo are said to be willing to sell
u. S. Disapproves Flaq Use.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE United
States government will take up with
Great Britain the subject Of the use
by British vessels of the American
f1as without proper authority. A
statement of the views Of this gov
eminent in this matter has been pre-
pared at the state department for pre-
seItation to Great Britain. The COM
rnunication will in no sense merit the
term protest, but will be most tenn
perate explanation of the reasons why
the United States government can not
view with entire complacency the
prospect Of a general use of the Amer,
lean flag by British vessels for the
purpose Of avoiding destruction by
the naval forces Of Germany.
At the White House it was made
clear that President Wilson recog-
rizes the fact that il is and has long
been customary for a vessel flying the
fag Of belligerent power to assume
the flag Of neutral when menaced by
enemy ships. It Is also fully conceded
by the administration that there is
nothing in the accepted practices of
international law nor in the record of
the United States warranting any na-
tion In g. protest to Great Britain IN
the case Of the Lusitania or Of other
possible instances In the future but
the president does take the view,
however, that these facts do not nee
essarily constitute any bar to the
ULited States making representations
to Great Britain in the matter so the
British government may understand
Just how the matter is regarded by
tEie government in all the existing
extraordinary circumstances.
Endangers American Shipping.
The communication which will be
sent to Great Britain will therefore
explain at some length the reasons
why it is felt that encouragement OF
the use Of the American flag by bel.
Ngerent vessels will tend to endanger
bona fide American shipping by les
sening the value Of the American fac
as outward evidence Of the character
o; vessel. 1t is pointed out that the
question Of the misuse Of the flag
must be considered first in connection
with the German charge that Grea,
Britain has instructed her shipping to
adopt this practice, and second. in
connection with the German govern
ment's proclamation OF a new war
zone with the hint Of danger to neu
tre1 vessels. The extraordinary sit
uation created by the Lusitania Incl
dent coming directly after the German
charge and proclamation warrant this
government, officials here believe, in
bringing the matter to the attention
OF Great Britain.
II is understood that the American
communication will go no further than
requesting that the British govern
ment does not encourage its shipping
TO use the American flag in view OF
all the circumstances and the feelings
o. the United States in the matter.