Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-02-20
I. S. Passengers on Lusit-
ania Wanted Stars and
Stripes Used.
NO LAW VIOLATED
BY USE OF EMBLEM
Great Britain Claims the
Right to FLY Neutral
Colors at Times.

T ONDON, Feb. 19.-(7:32 p. nj
l. The British foreign office this
evening issued a note in reply to the
representations Of the United states
government concerning the use Of the
American flag by British vessels,
The note says that the Cunard line
steamer Lusitania on her recent voy-
age from New York to Liverpool
raised tho American flag ito save the
lives Of non-combatants, crew and
passengers" 1t adds that. in spite Of
the fact that American passengers en-
barking on the Lusitania on her out
ward voyage for New York, asked that
the American flag be hoisted, "the
British government did not give any
advice to the company as how to meet
this request and It Is understood the
Lusitania left Liverpool under the
British flag"
After discussing the Lusitania Incl
dent the memorandum makes this
statement:
The British government has no in
tentiOn of advising It's merchant ship
ping to use foreign flags as a general
practice or to resort to them other
wise than for escaping capture or de-
struCtion.'
In conclusion, the statement says:
THE obligation upon a belHgerent
with respect to asCertaining definitely
for itself the nationality and character
of a merchant vessel before capturing
It and a fortlori stronger reason) be
fore sinking and destroying 1t, has
been universally recognized If that
obligation Is fulfilled the hosting of
10 ri GI
sci cannot possibly endanger neutral
shipping. and the British government
holds that If loss to neutrals is caused
by disregarding this obligation 1t Is
upon the enemy vessel disregardins
and upon the government giving or
ders that 1t should be disregarded that
the full responsibility for injury to
neutrals ought to rest"
Complete Text of Note.
The following is the text of the
replv of Great Britain to the American
note as handed to WaNer Hines Page,
the American ambassador, today:
THE memorandum communicated
Cp the eleventh Of February calls at
tention in courteous and friendly
terms to the action of the captain OF
the British steamship Lusitania In
raising the flag of the United States
OF America when approaching Brit
ish waters and says that the govern
ment of the United States feels
anxiety in considering the possibility
OF anv general use OF the flag Of the
United States by British vessels
traversing those waters since the et-
feet OF such a policy might be 10
bring about a menace to the liVes ana
vessels OF United states citizens,
at was understood that the Ger
their
tentlon OF sinking British merchant
vessels at sight by torpedoes without
giving any opportunity for making
any provision for the saving Of lives
OF non-combatant crews and pas.
sengers. II was in consequence OF
fills threat that the Lusitanla raised
the United States flag on her inward
voyage.
American Passengers Asked IL.
"On her subsequent outward voy--
oco a reouest was made by United
states passengers who were em-
barking on board her that the United
states flag should be hoisted, pre-
sumably to insure their safety. Mean
while the memorandum from your
excellency had been received. HIS
rnaiostv's government did not give
any advice to the company as to how
to meet this request, and II is under
stood that the Lusitania left Liver
nool under the British flag.
"It seems unnecessary TO say more
az regards the Lusltania In particu-
lar. ....,,,,
flags by merchant vessels. the Brit
Idh merchant shipping act makes 1t
clear that the use of the British
fIag nv foreign merchant vessels is
nermitted I'm time OF war; for the
nurpose of escaping capture. IT Is
helieved I'm the case Of other nations
there is similar recognition OF the
same practice with regard to their
flae and that none Of them has for
bidden II. z,,
able to expect his majestys govern
ment to pass legislation forblddlng
The use OF foreign flags by British
merchant vessels to avoid capture by
the enemy. now that the German
government has announced its inten-
,ton 10 sink merchant vessels at
sigb+ with their non-combatant
crows cargoes and papers. proceed
inc hitherto regarded by the opinion
NJ tho world not as war. but piracy.
Claims II Is a Right.
.Tt is felt that the United states
yovernment could not fairly ask the
RritIsb government TO order British
merchani vessels to forego a means
always hitherto permitted OF escap-
- -.t-..a ~, paga Three