Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-20
BRITISH EXPLAIN
Continued From Page One)


United States of America when approach
ing British waters, and says that the
government of the United States feels a
certain anxiety in considering the possi-
bility Of any general use Of the flag Of
the United States by British vessels
traversing those waters. since the effect
Of such policy might be to bring about
a menace to the lives and vessels OF
United States citizens.
British Understanding
TT was understood that the German
government announced their intention Of
sinking British merchant vessels at sight
by torpedoes. without giving any oppor-
tunity Of making any provision for the
saving of lives of non-combatant crews
and passengers 1t was in consequence
OF this threat that the Lusitania raised
the United States flag on her inward voy-
age.
'On her subsequent outward voyage
request was made by United States pas
sengers who were embarking on board
her that the United States flag should be
hoisted, presumably to ensure their safe
ty. Meanwhile the memorandum from
Your Excellency had been received. His
Majesty's government did not give any
advice to the company as how to meet
this request and it understood that the
Lusitania left Liverpool under the Brit
ish flag
1t seems unnecessary to say more as
regards the Lusitania in particular.
I'm regard to the use Of foreign flags
by merchant vessels the British mer-
chant shipping act makes it clear that
the use Of the British flag by foreign
merchant vessels 10 permitted in time Of
war for the purpose of escaping capture
1t is believed that in the case Of some
other nations there IL similar recognition
Of the same practice with regard to their
flag and that none Of them has forbidden
It.
Unreasonable
1T would. therefore. be unreasonable
to expect His Majestys government to
pass legislation forbidding the use Of
foreign flags by British merchant vessels
to avoid capture by the enemy, now
that the German government have an
nounced their intentions to sink mer-
chant vessels at sight with their non
combatant crews, cargoes and papers
proceeding hitherto regarded by the
opinion Of the world, not as war, but
piracy. 1t is felt that the United States
government could not fairly ask the
british government to order merchant
| vessels to forego a means always hith-
erto permitted Of escaping, not only
capture, but the much worse fate of
sinking and destruction.
Has Accorded Privileges
Great Britain has always, when a
neutral accorded to vessels of other
states at war the liberty to use the Brit
ish flag as means Of protection against
capture, and instances are on record
when United States vessels awaited
themselves Of this facility during the
American Civil War 1t would be con-
trary to fair expectation If now, when
conditions are reversed. the United
States and neutral nations were to
grudge to British ships the liberty to
take similar action.
1.-The British government have no IN
tention of addressing their merchant
Shaping to use foreign flags as
general practice or to resort to them
otherwise than for escaping capture or
destruction. The obligations upon BEL
liserent vwarship to ascertain definitely
for itself the natioality and character
of q merchant vessel before capturing
ii and a fortiori before sinking and
destroying it has been universally recog-
nized. If that obligation is fulfilled, the
hosting Of neutral flag on board
British vessel cannot possibly endanser
neutral shipping and the British gov
eminent holds that If loss to neufrals
is caused by disregard of this ooiiga-
ton it is upon the enemy vessel dis
regarding it, and upon the government
Giving the orders that it should be dis
rep.rded that the sole responsibility
for ;niur1- IN neutrals ought to rest"