South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-12


Germany Will be found on page
nine of this issue.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-That the
notes sent by the United States TO
Germany and England in an effect
serving notice that the American Tag
and American rights must be respect
ed. Will open long diplomatic nego-
tiations which viii establish the basis
for international rules on the use of
neutral flags and submarine warfare
on merchant Vessels was the belief in
administration circles today.
It was pointed out by officials that
the government thought il best to
speak plainly in these notes at this
time rather than wait until the public
might be aroused bv some loss Of,
American life or property. Washing
ton believes the notes Will produce an
excellent effect in both the United
States and other neutral nations.
Something of sensation was
caused among the diplomats in WASH
ingtOn when they read the text of the
notes. The drastic character, espe-
cially of the German note, had not
been anticipated and diplomats indi-
Gated that il virtually commits the
United States 10 a course of action
which may lead to trouble with Ger
many unless the latter reverses its an
nounced policy of using submarines
on merchantmen carrying supplies TO
Great Britain.
Oppose Paper Blockade
It Is pointed out that the note
places this nation in entire antag-
Onism TO the so-called paper block
ade," of England by Germany. Amer
lean shipping must be protected at
any cost says the state department
note and this gOvernmact will not
tolerate even the suggestion that
steamships of this country may be
blown up accidentally by occasional
German submarines.
In adopting this course, IL was
stated. the American government was
acting under recognized principles of
international law, as neutrals had a
right TO expect the ships of the bell
lgerents to recognize the practice OF
taking passengers and crews to a place
of safety before destroying vessel as
a prize of war.
The same was said To be true OF the
issue involved between the United
States and England.
AID NOTES. TO FORM
The reply OF Great Britain is not
expected 20 raise an issue between
the two governments, because II is
generally regarded as incOnceivable|
that Great Britain should seek to
maintain the right of her vessels to-
use the flag of the United States de-
spite the United States protest And
II Great Britain comedies that the
deceptive use of the American flag is
wrong, she must i'm the opinion of
state department officials express her
regret that iustifiable cause of COM
plaint has been given and pledge her
self To do all that she can To avoid
such cause of OffenSe and danger in
the future.
Await German Reply.
.rn1
which Germany viii make TO this gov
ernments representations viii be
awaited with some concern.
II Germany shall refuse to recede
from her position that neutral vessels
in entering the sea war zone which
she has declared 10 do SO at their own
risk. ne IL admitted that. very scu-
GUS situation Will be presented.
In that case the United States would
he confronted with the alternative
either of warning its merchant yes
sells to keep out OF the declared war
zone 20 run the risk Of a disaster
which would inflame public sentiment
i'm this country
IL is evident from the American
note that the government does not in
tend TO warn its vessels TO keep out
of the war zone no matter what Ger
many-s attitude may be, but Will in
sist upon their right 20 traverse the
0EtlaAEu ANtt~ 'f+---Net~ NttAAtt7-A IA ~
tack.
Up TO United States.
II attack should Dee threatened
through the position which Germany
viii take. then the question would
arise as 90 what steps the United
states should take To insure the safe
VOYAGE Of its merchant vessels.
The expert opinion is that in such
circumstances the United states would
be forced 20 furnish naval convoy
for an United States merchant vessels
which might enter the declared sea
war zone.
The taking OF American war yes
sells into the war zone undoubtedly
would be a grave step, but IN no other
way could the safe passage of Amerl-
can merchant vessels be assured.
The neutrality situation appears o.
have undergone a complete change.
Heretofore the situation has been that
paTtisans OF both Germany and Great
Britain have been complaining that
the United States was not maintaining
"A strict neutrality.
Now the United States is oficially
reporting Co Great Britain and Ger
many that their practices and declara
tiOns are interfering with the neutra
rights OF the United States in such
manner as may shake the strict neu
sraiity which the United States Is anN-
g0us 90 MAINTAIN.
Members Of the foreign affairs