The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-17
send STRONG notes
STATE DEPARTMENT U2HOLDS
Our RIGHTS AS NEUERALS
WRITE BOTH NATIONS
Germany is Warned Of Possible AcS
ton in Case Of Destruction OF
American Lives and shipping
Great Britain is Told Of Dangers
Arisinf From Misuse Of Flag.

Publication Thursday night by the
state department Of texts Of notes
sent Wednesday to Great Britain ana
Germany, respectively, revealed that
both countries had been warned IN
most emphatic terms against nenac-
ing the vessels or lives Of American
citizens trayersiDg the recently pro-
Claimed sea zones Of war.
The notes were prepared by Coun-
selor Robert Lansing and revised by
President Wilson and Secretary Bry-
an sfter consultation with the entire
cabinet.
The British, Spanish and Brazilian
ambassadors were given copies Of the
notes, as were the ministers Of Swe-
den, Norway and Denmark. The doc
uments created a sensation among
diplomats generally because Of what
some regarded as their drastic impli-
s cations.
High officials Of the American gov
ernment pointed out Informally that
1t had been deemed advisable to
SPEAK in unmistaka5le terms now
rather than to await the alarming eff
feet upon American public opinion
: which might ensue from the sinking
Of a vessel with scores OF American
citizens. The notes, officials were
confident, would prevent the critical
possibilities discussed in them.
3 Diplomats examined with great in
terest the language Of the communi-
cations and some construed the note
to Germany as warning that the
loss OF American lives by sinking
even a belhgerent merchant ship
would be covered in the representa-
tions Of the American government
because of the insistence that all mer-
chant ships must be visited and
searched and passengers taken OF be-
fore ships can be sunk.
In discussing the notes, officials
pointed out that representations to
Great Britain were not based speci-
fcaNy on the use. by the Lusitania OF
the American flag or any other ship
because 1t was not rare ruse OF war
to hoist a neutral Sag when escaping
capture, and vessels Of both SIDES
among the beNigerents in the present
war already had made such use OF
them, as had american vessels in
previous wars.
The distinction emphasized was
that aside from the legal p7opriety,
which was reserved for future dis
eussion, general misuse Of a neutral
flag by a beIEgerent was violation
Of International comfy ind neighbor-
: Hness, liable to produce serious dan
gers for the neutral No rule Of in
ternational law exists against the
practice, officials added, but the Unit
ed States construes it as moral oh
legation upon belligerents to avoid
the general use Of neutral flags, par
ticularly under such circumstances as
now exist.
AS for the communication with
Germany, officials said they were act
ing under specifically recognized prin-
cipies Of international law in point
ing out the dangers to American citi-
zens which would follow attacks on
merchant vessels without first ascer-
tanning the validity of the emblem
Aown by the vessel.
Although there was no explicit ref
erence in the notes to what would be
the attitude Of the United States to-
wards the loss cg American lives IT a
beIligerent merchantmen were sunk.
1t was made plain by officials that
neutrals travelling on belligerent ships
had a right to expect that enemy YES
sells would conform to international
practice Of offering opportunity to
passengers and crew Of all nationali-
ties to be taken to place OF safety
before destroying ship as prize OF
war.
The notes had been under consid-
eration for several days. The admin
istration's attitude was discussed at
length by President Wilson with his
advisers and the communications
were not given their finishing touches
until late Wednesday. At first, 1t
was intended to eonfne the note to
Germany merely to an inquiry as to
what steps would be taken to verify
the character Of ships flying neutral
flags, pointing out the serious dan
gers which might ensue from mis-
takes in this connection. But when
the German Office memorandum ar
rived giving what seemed to be the
mature deliberations OF the govern
,nent on the subject, the Washington
administration decided to issue its
warning immedistely.
No JOINT action with other neutral
governments has been taken or is un-
der contemplation. There has been
intimate discussion OF the course o!
the American government with the
ministers and ambassadors Of neu-
tral countries, but in line with tradi'
tionai American policy no combined
: expresson with other government:
will be made.
Both noes, it is believed, will oper
the subject Of the use of neutral flag:
and submarine warfare on merchan
ships to long diplomatic CORE
spondence, which may furnish the