Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-18

bassador, discussed the situation with
the state department officials. on all
sides, it is admitted here that the de-
Velopmehts of the last few days present
n most serious situation for American
commerce. Administration officials
think that even though assurances are
given eventually by Germany that neu-
trail ships will not be attacked, the ef-
feet or the war zone proclamation will
be to intimldate American shippers and
American exports.
That the next step by the United
states may be a pronounced statement
to Great Britain on the subject of con-
ditional contraband was indicated at
the state department to-day. The
American government in it's first note
argued strongly for unrestricted ship
ment of conditional contraband when
destined to non-combatants. The Brit
ish preliminary reply did not oppose
this view, but said an unconditiona
acceptance could not be given an ac-
count of Germany's alleged inhumane
practices.
1t was believed here to-day that the
American government might seek an
understanding on the question of food
stuffs with both Germany and Great
Britain with the hope that it might
avert the submarine danger to neutral
ships.
THE GERMAN NOTE.
Following is the text of the German
ambassadors note:
According to absolutely reliable in
formation, British merchant ships in
tend to oppose armed resistance to Ger
mar men of war in the area declared
as war zones by the German admiralty.
Some of these ships We're already
armed with British naval guns. Now
all the others are speedily being equipped
in a similar way. Merchant ships have
been instructed to sail i'm groups and to
ram German submarines, while the eX-
animation is proceeding, or should the
submarines lay alongside the examining
party coming on board, y very high
premium has been offered for the de-
struction Of the first German submarine
by a British merchant vessel. Therefore.
British merchant ships cannot any more
be considered as undcfeudcd so that
they may be attacked by German war
vessels without warning or search. The
British admitted that instructions have
been given to misuse neutral Tags. 1t IS
almost certain that British merchant
vessels will by all means try to conceal
their identity. Thereby it has also be-
come almost impossible to ascertain the
identity of neutral ships, unless they
sail in daylight under convoy, as all
measures suggested by neutrals. for IN
stance painting of the ships in the ma
tional colors. may be promptly initiated
hv British ships. The attacks to he cx-
ucCted by masked British vessels make
a search impossible as the examining
party and the submarines themselves
would thereby he exposed to destruc-
ton.
Under these circumstances the safety
of neutral shipping in the war zone
around the British isles is seriously
threatened. There is also an increased
danger resulting from mines. as these
will he laid in the war zone to a great
extent. Accordingly neutral ships are
most urgently warned against entering
that area while the course around
Scotland will be safe. 4
Germany has been compelled to re.
sort to this kind of warfare by the muir
derous ways of British naval warfare,
which aims at the destruction of legiti-
mate neutral trade and at starvation OF
the German people. Germany will be
obliged to adhere to these announced
principles till England submits to the
recognized rules of warfare, established
by the declarations of Paris and London,
or till she is compelled to do so by the
neutral powers
In connection with the latest represen-
tations to London. regarding the Wilhel-