The Sentinel=record., 1915-02-19
oIscLAIMs ALL RESPONSIBILITY
OF WHAT HAPPENS TO NEU-
TRIAL VESSELS.
ADDITIONAL WARNING GIVEN
Germany Will Guarantee the Safety
of American Vessels only on Con
dition That Great Britain and Her
Allies Do Not Use Neura Flags,

Washington, Feb, 1S-Germany's
reply to the American note of warn
ing against any attacks on American
vessels or lives in the new sea zones
of war served TO increase rather than
to diminish the concern Of officials
Of the United States government
over possible complications. though
the friendly tone of The communica-
ton made a fayorabl. impression AMI
gave some hope that an understand
ing for the protection of neutrals
might yet be obtained
Officials were apprenensive over
the formal statement in the note tnat
Germany disclaimtd all responsibility
for at might happen to neutral ycs-
sells venturing in the danger zone
The additional warning. too. that
mines would be laid by Germany II
the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland was regarded by them
not only as menacing to ships carry
ing legitimate cargoes but as likely
to add further to the interruptions
which American commerce has suf-
fered since the outbr, ak OF the war
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan read tne Associated Press copy
Of the German note. the official text
delayed in transmission from Ambas-
sador Gerard. being expected tomor-
row.
While no comment was made at
either the white house or the state
department the feeling of grave CON
Germ was manifest
That other neutral countries, espe-
cially Holland and the Scandinavian
countries, also are apprehensive con-
coming the situation and have con
suited the United States, il becama
known today While there is no ua-
dtrstanding implying joint action il
any neutral vessels are sunk, the
Washington government mas made il
plain that it is in accord with the
steps already token by other neutral
powers
Secretary Bryan refused to reveal
tonight what steps the United States
would take if American vessels or
lives were lost
That the United States is looking
for removal of some OF the causes
of the present complication in the
forthcoming answer from England 10
the American note concerning the
misuse of flags was intimated in
some fiicial quarters.
1t was pointed out that if catagor-
cal assurances We're given by Great
Britain and her allies that none Of
their vessels would be permitted to
fly the American or other neutral
flags the safety of American vessels
IN the war zones would be guaran-
teed and German submarines would
be Obliged to visit and search neutral
vessels for contraband before de-
stroying them as prizes In this case
then, it was added, the dangers for
neutral vessels laden with non-col-
traband cargoes would be confined
only to mines, the indiscriminate Law
ing of which on the high seas would
he a subject Of protest by the United
States unless pilots or safe channels
were given
THE suggestion in the American
81 note that conveys of American war.
ships snould accompany American
merchantmen was considered imprac-
ticable because it would imposa an
obligation on the United States to
guarantee the character of cargoes Of
outgoing vessels, a requirement not
covered by any domestic law More
over. If mines were laid as Germany
announces her intention of doing,
conveys. in the opinion of American
officials, would be still endangered
by mines. and public opinion in the
United States might be much more
seriously aroused by the destruction
OF a warship than by merchantmen.
In fact. the disposition was to regard
the sowing of mines in large sea
areas as creating a greater menace
than submarine warfare.
When mines are laid in the North
sea the American government took
the position that il could not deter
mine which of the belligerents was
responsible for the action and did not
protest. especially since pilots were
furnished BY Great Britain and nep