The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-19
Germany Is Firm In Attitude On
 Na0dl War Zone Around Eneland
tContinued from Page one,


 ain, enter these closed waters, will them- selves bear the responsibility for any unfortunate accidents that may occur. Germany disclaims all responsibility for such accidents and consequences.
 Will Not Harm Neutrals
 Germany has further expressed in an- nouncement the destruction of all enemy merchant vessels found within the war zone. but not the destruction of all mer- chant vessels, as the United States seems erroneously to have understood. This restriction which Germany imposes upon itself is prejudicial to the aim of our warfare, especially as in the application of the conception of contraband prac- ticed by Great Britain towards Germany which conception will now also be sim ilarly interpreted by Germany-the pre- sumption being that neutral ships have contra band aboard. Germany naturally is unwilling to renounce it's rights to ascer- tain the presence of contraband in neu- tral vessels, and in certain cases to draw conclusions therefrom.
 Germany is ready finally to deliberate with the United States on any measures which might secure the safety of legit- innate shipping of neutrals in the war zone Germany cannot, however, for bear to point out that all efforts in this direction may be rendered very diff ficult by two circumstances. First, the misuse of neutral flags by British mer- chant vessels which is indubitably known to the United States: second, the contra band trade already mentioned. especially in war materials on neutral vessels.
 Regarding the latter point Germany would fain hope that the United states after further considerat ton will come to conclusion corresponding to the spirit of real neutrality regarding the first point. The secret order of the British admiral ty recommending to British merchant ships the use of neutral flags has been communicated by Germany to the United States and confirmed by communica ton from the British foreign office, which designates this procedure IS entirely un- objectionable and in accordance with Brit
 sh law. British merchant shipping in1me- diatey followed this advice as doubtless 's known to the American government from the incidents following of the Lusi- tania and Laertes
 Moreover the British government has supplied arms to British merchant ships and instructed them forcibly to resist German submarines. In these circum- stances it would be very difficult for submar rines to recognize neutral merchant ships. for search in most cases cannot be i taken. seeing that in the case of |. suised British ship from which an attack may be expected the searching party and the submarine would be ex- posed to destruction.
 Great Britain then was in a position to make the German measures illusory if the British merchant fleet persisted in the msuses of neutral flags, and neu- tral ships could not otherwise be recog- nzed beyond doubt.
 "Germany however, being in state of necessity, wherein she was placed by violation of law, must render effective her i,, oil ,t, ,-+, in, rh thereby to compel her adversary to adopt methods of warfare corresponding with international law, and so to restore the freedom of the seas of which, Germany at all times is the defender and for which she today is fighting.
 "Germany therefore rejoices that the United States has made representations to Great Britain concerning the illegal use of their flag and expresses the expecta- ton that this procedure will force Great Britain to respect the American flag in the future In this expectation command CTS of German submarines have been in- structed, as already mentioned in note ul rebruary 1, to refrain from violent ac- tion against American merchant vessels 1 so far as these can be recognized.
 Tn order to prevent in the surest man. ner the consequences of confusion-though
 naturally not so far as mines are con- | cerned--Germany recommends that the | United States make their Sn1ps Wnlci peacefully taking cargoes through the
 British war zone discernable by means i of conveys. 1 ''t,ei.inny believes it may act on the 1 sunrns'ton that only such ships would be conveyed as carried goods not regarded ] as contra band according to the British in depreciation made in the case of Ger 1 many.
 1 How this method of convoy can be car
 red out is Q question concerning which ' Germany is ready to open negotiations
 with the United States as soon as possi- 1 ble. Germany would be particularly | grateful, however, if the United States | would urgently recommend to it's mer- | chant vessels to avoid the British naval war zone in any case until the settlement of the flag question
 | Germany is inclined to the confident hope that the United States will be able tc