Evening star., 1915-02-05
British Probably Will Use
Wilhelmina for a Test Case
in Naval War Zone Decree

The American steamer wilhelmina
probably will be used as a test case in
prize court to thresh out the effect.
Of the new German decree establishing
a naval war zone. according to a state
ment issued today by the British en-
hassy. Coupled with this Is the as
surance that neither the owners OF the
vessel or the shippers OF the cargo viii
suffer any financial loss through Great
Britain's action. There is also a threat
that England may adopt in retaliation
more stringent measures against Ger
man trade.
The Wilhelmina is now on the high
seas with cargo of foodstuffs in
tended for the civilian population OF
Germany. and the British government
had announced its purpose of OBTAINING
her and bringing her into port to buy
her cargo.
The German ambassador yesterday
| suggested that an American consula-
officer should supervise the distribu-
tion OF this cargo, to see that IL did
not go to the armed forces of Ger
many.
Germany's Intention Reaffirmed.
1t is intimated that Great Britain
argues that if such a policy were fol-
lowed Germany might work out a plan
whereby grain and -four now in Ger
many could be used entirely for the
armed forces. while the civilian popu-
lation was fed by the imported prod
ucts.
The German ambassador. who some
days ago notified the State Department
fI,.t tesN..
that no food from the United States
would be seized by the government for
military purposes. declared that this
latest proposition left no doubt what
ever as to the intention of Germany
in the matter.
The recent decree in regard to wheat,
corn and flour seized by the German gov
ernment applied only. the ambassador
asserted. to what already was in the
country, and not to that imported from
the United States
In seizing foodstuffs intended only for
the civilian population of a country. he
insisted, Great Britain would be violating
principles and decrees which she herself
had declared should be observed.
British Embassy Statement.
The statement OF the British embassy
| today follows
The new German decree makes # evi-
dent that all grain and flour IL to pass
under the control OF the German govern
ment, and must. therefore, when i'm
ported. be regarded as virtually consigned
to the German government or to author
rites under their control.
This creates a novel situation and
it is probable that if the destination
and cargo of the Wilhelmina are as
supposed, the cargo will, if the vessel
is intercepted, be submitted to prize
l
created by the German decree may be
examined and a decision reached upon
it after full consideration.
There is no question of taking any
proceedings against the vessel. and the
owners of the vessel will be indemni-
fed for any delay caused to 1t and the
shippers OF the cargo compensated for
any loss caused to them by the action
of the British authorities.
Press Allegation Denied.
There is no truth whatever in the
statement made in the press that il has
been decided that other such consig.-
ments will be seized, together with the
vessels. without compensation to neI-
trails, for no decision has yet been
taken to depart from previously exist
ing rules or practice.
The apparent intention, however. OF
the German government to. sink mer-
chant ships ny suomarincs .. out
br nging them into port or prov ding ac-
commodatIon tor their crews and re-
gardless of loss of civilian lives, and
the attempt to effect this eyen against
a hospital ship, has raised very seri-l
ously the question whether Great Brit
ain should adopt in retaliation more
stringent measures against Germa Il
trade.
1T is recognized that when any such
decision to this effect is reached due
care must be taken not to infiict loss
before any warning has been given or
the decision announced"