The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-12
Considered Several Days

Tore destroying ship, as prize ot war. Considered Several Days The two notes had been under con sioeration for several days. The admin istrations attitude was discussed a, pehsth by President Wilson with his ad- Nisors and the communications were moi gwen their finishing touches until late yesterday. At first, it was intended to coiitine the note to Germany merely to an inquiry as to what steps would be taken to verify the character of ships irving neutral flags, pointing out the seri- ous dangers which might ensue from mis- takes In this connection But when tho Gernan foreign office memorandum ar. rived, giving what seemed to be the ma ture deliberations of the German gov ernment on the subject, the Washington administration decided to issue it's warn ins immediately.
 No joint action with other neutral gov ernments has been taken or is under con templauon There has been intimate dis cussion of the course of the American government with the ministers and am bassadors of neutral countries. but in line with traditional American policy, no com bined expression with other governments will be made.
 Both notes. it Is believed will open tho subject of the use of neutral flags and submarine warfare on merchant ships tu a long diplomatic correspondence, which may furnish the basis for international rules on the subject at conferences at the wars end. It is one of the subjects also which the Pan-American union will con- sioer in it's investigation of the rights of neutrals as opposed to those of bel ligerents
 Full Texts of Notes
 The full texts of the notes as made public at the state department tonight follow:
 February 10. 1915.
 'The secretary has instructed American n Ambassador Gerard at Berlin. to present to the German government note to the following effect:
 The government of the United States having had its attention directed to the proclamation of the German admiralty issued on the 4th of February that the waters surrounding Great Britain and Ire land, including the whole of the Eng fish channel. are to be considered as con- prised within the seat of war; that all enemy merchant vessels found in those waters after the 18th instant will be de- stroyed. although it may not always be possible to save crews and passengers; {; and that neutral vessels expose them selves to danger within this zone of war because, in view of the misuse of neutral flags said to have been ordered by the British government on the 31st of Jan uary, and of the contingencies of mari- time warfare, it may not be possible all ways to exempt neutral vessels from att tacks intended to strike enemy ships. feels it to be its duty to call the attention of the imperial German government, with sincere respect and the most friendly sentiments, but very candidly and earn sa-f1x the course of action apparently contem- plated under that proclamation
 The government of the United States views those possibilities with such grave concern that it feels it to be It's privi- lege, and indeed. it's duty in the circum- stances, to request the imperial German government to consider before action is taken, the critical situation in respect of the relation between this country and Germany which might arise were the German naval forces, in carrying out the policy foreshadowed in the adm mi~alty's proclamation to destroy any IT t' vessel of the United States or CT death of American citizens.
 Action Would Be Unprece,
 |" It is, of course, not necess
 mind the German government rej sole right of a belligerent in d Hf4 neutral vessels on the high SC, iss to visit and search unless 4Ga and effectively ltHfh which this government doe tua stand to be proposed in this To clare or exercise right at H1 destroy any vessel enterin rEa area of the high seas wit Hr tainly determining it's bel iel etzf- ality and the contrabans tcl lt cargo would be an act geo in naval warfare that sh is reluctant to believe government of Germany eh- templates it as possib Il that enemy ships are ul ss can create p ton that all ships tras ca area are subject to ts oh. If ia to determine ex. qn ons that this governmen e4s '' the right of visit and seaoh cen 
 This government cen oteu the explanatory sta veg the imperial German go 4 ssne time with the proc 1eI- man admiralty an Asioh to remind the fmr ltaH WerH- ment very respect HH tHss Nern- ment of the Uni -ne 'en to none of the critic as for sai ac. ton to which tn aHafnlaa rhuiehl believes the goveI s 0t otner neutral nations hf mid ns ,s opeh' that the governm ot has not consent % sceu sn any measures WI e lt en e~nen NJ nr..a.'t w,ar restrain neutral trade, A Y taken in all sue eF4 an aon wnlon 1t in l 4f 'e ernHaen.s in vi any effe' prns :. which the acc rts 9fl 'ttH tional law dc 5e, AZ ~, therefore, reg da tlH
 present insta to aSs tn a clear ~ s~ ra,,5 sAdsaf.i principles ,Sa ,,os,tio, V, iigstsr in ika note.
 wculd r. sr a{lieally Act
 ger. th. r,,.,4s- 1s of Serman ves- ,a1s os ~., sa1eIg ar non the pre- ,v,,ntior tasf fh6 T6e the United ,tates w., , eiH8 sed in good sith erH sbn.fs dessrae on the high ,.a. sn Ariarl-,, kazefi or the lives = Amsr,cro .t{,t ans would be dif- ncu1t Scr sea re 44rass.st of the Uni ted stetes te vIs n he ct in any other irht tha, raas iuss sible violation ,f n.ufrs vs~I sb wF a 1t would bc rerv her, tt.s.e tc Dncile with the
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