The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-17

Britain and Germany, respectively,
revealed that both countries had been
warned in most emphatic terms
against menacing the vessels or lives
OF American citizens traversing the re-
Gently proclaimed sea zones OF war.
Germany was advised that the
United states would be constrained to
hold the imperial government to
strict accountability for any acts of
Its naval authorities which might re-
suit In the destruction OF American
vessels or the loss OF American
lives and that II such a deplorable
situation should arise the American
government would take any steps
that might be necessary to safeguard
American lives and property
To Great Britain the United States
pointed out '"the measure of respon..
sibility would seem to be imposed on
the British government for the loss
OF American vessels and lives in case
OF an attack by German naval
force" IL England sanctioned general
misuse OF the American flag and
thereby cast doubt upon the valid
character OF neutral ensigns.
The notes were to have been pre-
sented today by Ambassador Page at
London and by Ambassador Gerard
at Berlin. They were prepared by
Counselor Robert Lansing and revised
by President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan after consultation with the en-
tire cabinet.
The British. Spanish and Brazilian
ambassadors. were given copies Of the
votes. as were the ministers of Swed-
fn. Norway and Denmark. The docu-
ments created a sensation among
diplomats generally because of what
some regarded as their drastic impli-
cations.
High officials Of the American gov
ernment pointed out informally that 1t
had been deemed advisable to speak
I'm unmistakable terms now rather
hsse<h W tAit tleCI upon
American public opinion which might
ensue from the sinking OF vessel
with scores of American citizens. The
notes. officials were confident, would
prevent the csitical possibilities dis
cussed in them.
Diplomats examined with great in
foFaGf the IN -
cations and some construed the note
TO Germany as warning that the
loss OF American lives by sinking even
belligerent merchant ship would
be covered In the representations OF
the American government because Of
the insistence that all merchant ships
must be visited and searched and
passengers taken of before ships can
be sunk.
In discussing the notes today, Of
fcials pointed out that representa-
tons TO Great Britain were not based
specifically on the use By the Lusi-
tania OF the American flag or any
other ship because II was not n rare
ruse OF war to hoist neutral flag
when escaping capture. and vessels
d both sides among the belligerents
IN the present war already had made
such use OF them, as had American
vessels In previous wars. The dis
unction emphasized was that. aside
from the legal propriety, which was
reserved for future discussion. general
misuse OF a neutral flag by bellig-
erent was violation Of international
comfy and neighborliness. liable To
produce serious dangers for the
neutral. No rule of international law
exists against the practice. officials
added. but the United States con-
strues IL as a moral obligation upon
oeiligerents TO avoid the general use
OF neutral flags. particularly under
such circumstances as now exist.
As for the communication with Ger
many. officials said they were acting
under specifically recognized prin-
ciples or international law I'm point.
Ing out the dangers TO American citi.
zens which would follow attacks on
merchant vessels without first ascer.
tanning the validity OF the emblem
hown by the vessel. Although there
was no explicit reference in the notes
to what would be the attitude Of the
United States towards the loss Of
American lives IL "a bclligerent mer
chantman were sunk. It was made
plain by officials That neutrals travel
ing on belligerent ships had right
To expect that enemy vessels woul |
conform To international practice of |
oHerins opportunity to- passenger, |
and crew of all nationalitlcs To- b, |