Evening star., 1915-02-06
AUTHORITIES HERE GET
GERMAN PROCLAMATION
Routes North Of Shetland Islands.
Part of North Sea, and Strip
Along Dutch Coast Exempted.
MOT TO M0LEST FOOD SHIPS
Ueutou Government Also ''Ex-
presses Hope Great Britain Will
Not Make Necessary Recon-
alteration of This Attitude"

The official text of the German
admiralty proclamation, trans
mitted by Ambassador Gerard to
the State Department today, re-
veals that navigation routes to
the north OF the Shetland Islands
and the eastern part of the North
sea, as we'll as strip Of thirty
nautical miles along the Dutch
coast. are not in the danger zone,
but that the waters directly
around Great Britain and Ireland
comprise the prohibited areas.
This differs from the published
report.
The German embassy declared
In a statement issued today that
Germany docs not intend to mo-
lest or seize American vessels
laden with foodstuffs for the
civilian population of enemy
countries" The statement ex-
presses the hope that England
will not make necessary a recon-
sideration of this attitude by seiz-
ing American ships like the Viii
helmina."
Statements Relieve Tension.
These two Official statements relieved
Considerably the tension in of1cial
circles caused by Germany's proclama-
tion and the fear that neutral ship
ping would be molested to such an ex-
tent that the United States would be
forced to make vigorous representa-
tions.
The wireless report of the Official
admiralty proclamation says shipping
northward around the shetland IS
lands, in the eastern basin OF the Nortn
sea and in strip OF at least thirty
nautical miles in breadth along the
Dutch coast is endangered in the same
way"
from Ambassador Gerard says: "Navf-
cation routes around Shetlands Is
lands, in the eastern part of the North
sea, and for thirty sea miles along
the Dutch coast are not opeH ~ ehe
danger zone.
In other respects the official text of
the proclamation as received at the
State Department conforms in sense TO
the report of IT sent TO the Ohitso
States by wireless. although the
phraseology differs slightly.
state Department officials indicated
that the proclamation received from
public later today. The German foreign
office has accompanied the proclama-
tion with long explanatory memoran-
dunn which, Ambassador Gerard reported,
he would send subsequently,.
Conference on Developments.
Acting Secretary Lansing conferred
with President Wilson over the devel-
ppments, but the attitude of the United
States was no more clearly defined than
formerly. 1t was plain officials intend
ed to await Ambassador Gerard's
Transmission of the admiralty memo
randum-
The proclamation itself. however. ac-
eordinx to the official text, makes it
clear that all enemy ships found in
the zone of operations" the areas
are described will be destroyed, 3no
points out that contingencies may arise
Which may make V impossible always
70 save passengers and crew.
As for neutral vessels venturing into
ehe war zone, the proclamation points
out the dangers to which they may be
exposed" in view of the misuse OF neu
eral hags by enemy ships, and decl~ es
that efforts to strike at belligerent YES
sells might in some cases unintention-
ally strike neutral vessels.
Officials here are awaiting the Ger.
man foreign office memorandum before
taking any further steps. as they be-
q lieve it may explain the points OF
which there is now some doubt. II the
areas prescribed by the proclamation
are defined as within the territoria
waters of Great Britain and ireland, {
different situation may arise from that
which would include extensive portion.
Of the high seas.
Probable Action of This Government
Unless the German memorandum ex-
plains the precautions which German
naval commanders will take to ascer-
tain whether ship flying a neutral
flag is really a neutral vessel, 1t Il
most probable that an expression from
the United States government will fol.
low, pointing out that the destruction
of neutral vessels. carrying non-con-
traband cargoes, or the injury to the
passengers. would not meet the &C.
quiescence of this government.
Under the rules issued to America,
American war destruction of enemy o
neutral ships captured on the high seas
which were certain to be condemned a
prizes for carrying contraband. wa
permitted. but only in cases Of over
whelming necessity. such as possible
recapture by the enemy.
The rules, however. of international Law
have been explici: IN the requirements o
proving that destruction of a prize is al
imperative necessity. I In the presen
case. the possibility Of recapture O
ports. it is realized. would not be din din
cult to prove, 50 that the main basis TO