Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-02-24
j. s. MAY REST
CASE ON NOTES
Nc Further Warnings to Britain
or Germany.
NO REPLY is NECESSARY
EnqIand's Answer to American Flag
Protest and to Representations
in WiIheImina Case to Be
Considered by Cabinet.

Washington, Feb %. = Develop
ments indicate that the administra-
ton will take no step likely to involve
the United States in the European
war. This was the supreme object Of
the president and his advisers in the
further negotiations with Germany
and Great Britain regarding American
interests involved in the great con-
ffict.
The administration will stand pat
on its warnings to Germany and Great
Britain to recognize in full the rights
Of Americans and Of American prop
erty in the war zone. AS last re-
sort, in the case of controversy with
Great Britain over interference with
American neutral commerce, the
United States will appeal final settle
ment of any grievances to the adjudi-
cation processes provided In the
treaties between the two nations.
In the case of a serious crisis aris-
ing in relations with Germany, the
United States will propose arbitration,
although no treaty providing for such
settlement of disputes exists between
the two nations. Germany has refused
to enter into arbitration treaties, but
is not averse to participating in such
peaceful means of settling questions
at issue
Notes Clear Up Situation.
Perusal of the official text of the
various notes from Great Britain and
Germany which arrived during the
day has materially clarified the situa-
ton.
The administration is convinced
that German submarines will not de-
stroy any American vessels or 9TH
erwise violate the treaties existing be-
tween Germany and the United States.
State department officials arr salts
fed that Germany will comply strict
ly with the rules of visit and search
of American vessels encountered BY
German war craft. IF contraband be
found on American ships by German
naval officers the goods, under treaty
stipulations, will be appropriated by
the German government and compen-
sation awarded the owners.
The portion Of the note regarded as
unsatisfactory relates chiefly to the
danger of destruction of American
vessels by mines. The only agree
ment between the two nations relating
to mines is The Hague convention,
which imposes upon the belligerent
strict care to protect neutral shipping
from harm from this source
Under the terms Of this convention
the United States will hold Germany to
"strict accountability" in the event of
a mine laid by Germany destroying
an American vessel
Reply Might Weaken Case.
Sore administration officials are Of
the opinion that no rejoinder to the
German reply is necessary, because
Germany is fully aware of the posi-
ton Of the American government and
further argument would only weaken
the American case.
Counselor Lansing of the state de-
partment is drafting the basis of a
reioinder for submission to the presi-
dent
The British reply to the American
flag protest and to the representations
in the Wilhelmina case will be con-
sidered by the cabinet. The general
opinion among administration officials
is that there is nothing further to be
said on the use of the American flag
by British ships to deceive the enemy.
The United States formally announced
that it would hold Great Britain part
" responsible for any injury to Amer
lean interests traceable to a practice
by British vessels which undoubtedly
weakens the use of the American flag
as protection.
Does Not Encourage Practice.
The British government disputes
the imputation of such responsibility.
While not engaging to discourage the
practice. as requested by the United
States, England says she will not en-
courage it.
In the case of the Wilhelmina the
administration is disposed to make no
further representations pending the
action Of the British prize court upon
the question of contraband character of
this cargo of food intended for the
civil population of Germany. 1t is ex-
pected that the prize court will de-
clare it contraband. Then the adj
ministration will resort to further dip
lomatic representations in the effort
to have the decision set aside.
Sir Edward Grey's persistence in re-
proving the United States for resort
ing to diplomatic protest before &C
ton by the prize court and other
agencies of adjudication open to ship
pers is displeasing to administration
officials. He reiterated this complaint
in the Wilhelmina note.