Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-02-10
KAISER PROCLAiMS
BLOCKADE AROUND
THE BRITISH ISLES

lane have repeatedly addressed The
state department. here to gain Amcri-
can backing for measures to relieve
distress i'm their w n the
latest German proclamation is expected
TO cause a redoubled effort for measures
to protect themselves.
Counselor Lansing. of the state de-
partment. took Secretary Bryan's
chair at the cabinet meeting today.
Neither the state department. nor the
German embassy had received the lat
est Berlin admiralty statement and 1t
WAS stated at the German embassy that
the Berlin foreign office probably
would deliver copies to diplomatic rep
resentatives in Berlin and regard that
notice as sufficient. Yesterdays proc
n delivered by Ambassador Gerard
applying to the north and west coasts
of France.
There is no precedent in dealing with
the question because heretofore sub
marines have played no important part
i'm warfare and all the rules of inter
national law are framed with special
reference to ordinary ships. The or
binary practices in taking prizes and
dealing with the merchant ships OF an
enemy. which it is not feasible to take
as prizes are clearly set out and es-
tablished by long usage The merchant
men u be halted, boarded and eth
er made prize or sunk. BUT in the lat
ter case crew and passengers must be
taken off.
Threat Is Implied.
While it was noted that the procla-
nation is directed against enemy
ships and applies to neutral ships
enemy ships through suspicion of
misuse of the neutral flags. officials
expressed grave concern over the I'M
piled threat to sink merchant vessels.
probably without warning or taking off
non-colnbatant passengers and crews.
After consideration of the subject by
the state department American mar
liners probably will be expected to heed
The German warning and enter forbid
den waters only at their own risk. pre-
cisely what they have been doing in
the North sea since notices several
months ago from both the British and
Gern1an governments. that. owing to
the planting of mines, it would be re-
garded as within the wal zone.
The notice from Britain that ii is con-
templating retaliation against German
trade. though not formally before the
much speculation on the part of Off
Gals as to what the British have In
mind.
England Plans Blow.
Although 1t has been denied that any
official declaration that food supplies
dIe conlfaDand mas been issued. III rs
believed the British notice forecasts the
speedy issue of some such declaration.
And in addition to this trying to cut
off Gernlany's food supply by water.
1T is believed to be possible that the
British may make the blow more Sc
we're by prohibiting the transportation
OF cotton to Germany.
Cotton is a base of some forms of
smokeless powder, as we'll as the high
explosion guncOttOn used i'm the heads
of torpedoes and submarine mines.
Aside from depriving Germany of that
necessary article. the British enforce
ment OF such an order Would deal a
heavy blow to the German textile fac
tories which are now just beginning
to receive almost normal supplies from
the United States.
Officials did not view the German
proclamation as n threat to destroy neu-
trail ships if found in the war zone.
but as warning that all ships entered
there at their own risk.