New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-05

not be learned what steps would be
tsken TO safeguard the ships and their
cargoes and crews.
4, the Offices OF the German steam
shin companies. whose ships have been
idle since the beginning Of the war,
great clation was manifested at the
publication Of the German Admiralty
announcement.
at would be unncutral 20 discuss the
effects the action Of the Admiralty
may have upon neutral shipping or TO
admit that we consider il justified and
appropriate in view Of Britain's recent
sanction Of the misuse OF neutral flags
20 save her own vessels from capture
and destruction by the Germans" Off
Gals declared.
They nevertheless admitted that in
their opinion Germany had right to
consider the North Sea, the English
Channel and the British and Irish coast
waters as war zone.
"Can Germany back up her declara-
tion md maintain a war zone around
the British Isles ," Captain Seer. OF
one Of the German ships, repeated TO
a question put TO him.
Most assuredly she can. Why, |
have positive information that while
Great Britain and France have worked
day and night since the outbreak of the
war constructing battleships and cruis-
ers. German shipysrds have turned out
submarine boats. | venture TO say that
Germany has more submarines now
than any other belligerent nation. And
that the German submarines are far
superior in construction and IN the
efficiency and courage Of their person
mel must b. conceded without question
in view Of the recent marvellous feats
accomplished by them"
A commander Of he German navy,
marooned in this country, consented to
discuss the effect and the significance
Of the German Admiralty's announce
ment.
Germany is acting entirely within
her rights" he said. Several months
ago England, without giving warning to
anybody, established a war zone OF her
own in the English Channel, which is
an international waterway and does not
belong to England any more than the
Panama Canal belongs 70 Germany. and
in the North Sea, which is extensively
used by strictly neutral countries such
as Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Nor
way in the. carrying on of their ship
ping commerce.
IN my opinion Germsny's object is
TO teach England and some OF the neu-
trail countries that England no longer Is
supreme on the ocean. Germany has
the best submarines Of any OF the
European nations. Her latest models
are marvels Of machine efficiency.
They can travel 5000 miles away from
their bases and stay for DAYS under
water. The distance from the German
naval base at kiel 10 the shetland
Islands is only about 700 miles. and a
submarine flotilla will be able to eff
fectively cripple shipping there. lhese
submarines will be relieved at stated
intervals, so that continuous guard IS
ALWAYS stationed at the northermost
coast of England.
Naturally neutral shipping, espe-
cially from America, will suffer from
the effects of the blockading. But is II
not better 10 give warning beforehand
than to settle so important question
of international law in a single handed,
arbitrary manner? Neutral shipping
from America to Scandinavian coun-
tries and to Holland will have 10 be
directed by way of Iceland, the Farce
Islands and to the Skager Rak to Chris.
tiania and Copenhagen, or to Holland
by way of the Kattigat.
Whatever Germany does, | am con-
WINGED that she will not let the neu-
trail countries suffer as England has
done. The step taken by the German
Admiralty is only precautionary and
in a manner a retributory step against
Englands attempt to stsrve out Ger
many"