The Alaska daily empire., 1915-03-06
WAR ZONES VS.
 AMERICAN RIGHTS
.lChIcngo Heraldl

Chicago Herald
 !, is to bo assumed that tho eHpla- nations Of Che Berlin decree creating a war zone around Great Britain are now complete. Berlin Insists that there was no intention of frighten- ing neutral ships from trade with Great Britain Germany was simply we are informed, following the prece- dent set by Great Britain when it created a war zone in the North Sea.
 Technically, creating a war zone is creating a war zone, no matter who does it. But that there is quite a practical difference, 80 far as neu- trals are concerned, is sufficiently shown by the failure of this country to be aroused by the British action In point of fact, neutral commerce. at that time was greatly endangered oy floating mines. And the creation of the North sea war zone was rath- CT regarded on this side aN protecting neutral commerce against the effects of such mine sowing operations.
 In brief the British war zone, was, in its way regarded as an aid to neu- tral commerce. And it was decreed by a power with, supposedly @ naval force large enough to make the war zone fairly safe for neutrals More overd therde was 8 professed willing ness to furnish pilots through areas of known danger On the other hand the German war zone. as decreed from Berlin. offers no such practical conn pensaton.
 That much may explain why this country did not realize the necessity Of protesting against the action first taken by Great Britain. Countries seldom protest unless their interests are apparently prejudiced. And this country's interests were not SO preiu- diced by che British action as to ex- cite anxiety. However. the Berlin de. cree has clearly shown how greatly neutral commerce may be inconyen- fenced by the creation of war zones in neutral seas and has cause dthe na. tion to realia> She necessity Of rep resentation against such proceedings
 As Mir OLaughn points out In 9 Washington dispatch concerning the declaration of neutral rights now be- ing framed by the President the rec ognition of such war zones as valid internationally would create an intol erable situation. Il war zones can be thrown about @ certain section of the high seas. which are supposed to be free. then it follows as Q logical con sequence that sufficiently powerful ! beligerant navy may, in It's dlscre tion. extend the limits of those zones and finally force neutral commerce to move along certain designated paths and only in certain directions or stop commerce altogether.
 We may have been a little late in waking up to the situation with all ! its possibilities. But that is no excuse for not acting when we do awake up The President Is wholly in the right in preparing to challenge the idea that the high seas which are open com pletely to neutrals, can be changed by governmental decrees into some thing which will free belligerants from the customary consideration due neu tral commerce and neutral citizens
 Such a course is in complete keep ing with our attitude as strictly neutral state. It involves no parti san preference Of the Interests Of one i people over those Of another It k perhaps fortunate, as tending to dis credit the suggestion of undue lean ing in any particular direction, that both England and Germany will re ceiye practically the same declora tion Of our views. But at any rate our course is as clear as our rights as neutrals are indisputable