New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-07
TEXT OF WAR ZONE
DECREE GIVEN OUT
Continued from page !

which the empire has at stake, and the
neutral powers seem TO satisfy them
selves with a theoretical protest. There
fore, in fact, they accept the vital IN
terests of belligerents as sufficient eX-
cuse for every method of warfare.
Germany must now appeal to these
same vital interests, to its regret. II
theref fore sees itself forced to military
measures aimed at England in retalia
ton for the English procedure. Just
as England has designated the area be-
tween Scotland and Norway as an area
of war, so Germany now declares all
the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland. including the entire Eng
lish Channel, as an area of war, and
thus will proceed against the shipping
Of the enemy.
"For this purpose, beginning Febru-
airy IS, 1915. it will endeavor to destroy
every enemy merchant ship that is
found in this area of war, without it
always being possible 10 avert the per-
lis that thus threaten persons and car
goes.
Warning TO Neutrals.
"Neutrals are therefore warned
against further intrusting crews, pas
I
attention is also called to the fact that
il is advisable for their ships to avoid
entering this area, for even though the
German naval forces have instructions
to avoid violence 10 neutral ships, in so
far as they are recognizable, In view
of the misuse of neutral flags ordered
by the British government and the
contingencies of naval warfare, their
becoming victims of torpedoes directed
against enemy ships cannot always be
avoided
at the same time il is specifically
noted that shipping north of the Shet-
land Islands, in the eastern area of the
North Sea, and in strip OF at least
thirty sea miles in width along the
Netherlands coast is not imperllled.
THE German government gives such
early notice of these measures that
hostile as we'll as neutral ships may
have time TO adapt their plans for
landing at points IN this area of war.
II is TO be expected that the neutral
powers will show no less consideration
for the vital interests OF Germany than
for those of England, and will aid in
keeping their citizens and the property
OF the latter from this area. This Is
the more TO be expected as II must be
TO the interests of the neutral powers
TO see this destructive war end as soon
as possible"
International Law Respected.
The Berlin newspapers to-day point
out that the contemplated blockade not
only will serve as Germany's own de-
fence, but also will "liberate the neu-
trail powers from the tyranny of Great
Britain, which is threatening interna-
tional law with sovereign contempt
1.-THE German declaration does not
encroach on the international liberty
Of the high seas" says the "Tages
Zeitung," "but is confined 20 enemy
coast waters. while Great Britain some
time ago declared the whole OF the
North Sea in the war zone, thereby
recklessly injuring neutral shipping
"The declaration Of the British coast
waters as a war zone is not blockade.
Therefore, it is warfare not bound by
the rules of international law on block
AIDES. Germany has systematically pre-
pared and organized means for sub.
marine trade war. and has completed
the encircling OF Great Britain"