Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-12
Submarine Commanders Are
Instructed Not to MoIeSt
Vessels in BIockaded Zone
Unless Belonging to Enemy.
WILL APOLOGIZE AND
PAY ALL DAMAGES
kaiSer's Government Sends
Formal Notice to Washing
ton of Recession From For
mer Announced Position.


Washington, May ll.-Germany,
through Ambassador Gerard, today
notified the United States that sub
marine commanders had been spe-
officially instructed not to harm neu-
trail vessels not engaged in hostile
acts; and that Germany would pay
for DAMAGES to such ships in the war
zone. Neutral ships carrying contra
band will be dealt with, the an
nouncement says, according to the
rules Of naval warfare. II neutral
ships are accidentally damaged in the
war zone. Germany will express its
regret and pay damages without prize
court proceedings. The German gov
eminent justified its submarine war
fare on the ground that England is
threatening to starve the civilian pop
ulation of Germany by prohibiting
neutral commerce in foodstuffs and
other necessaries.
Changes Position.
In previous communication Ger
many has disclaimed responsibility
for any harm that might befall neu-
tral vessels venturing into the war
zone.
The text of the announcement ca
bled by Ambassador Gerard. which
was issued by the Berlin foreign Of
flee in the form of a circular, fol-
lows:
First, the imperial German gov
ernment naturally has no intention of
causing to be attacked by submarine
or aircraft such neutral of commerce
in the zone Of naval warfare. or def
intely described in the notice of the
German admiralty staif OF February
'4th, last, as have been guilty of no
hostile act. on the contrary the most
definite Instructions repeatedly have
been issued to German war vessels to
avoid attacks on such ships under all
circumstances. Even when such
ships have contraband of war on
board, they are dealt with by subma-
rines solely according to the rule of
international law applying to prize
warfare.
VIII Make Prompt Amends.
Second, should neutral ship
nevertheless come to harm through
German submarines or aircraft on
account of an unfortunate (X) in the
above mentioned zone of naval war
fare the German government will un-
reservedly recognize its responsibility
therefor. In such case it viii ex-
press its regrets and afford damages
without first instituting prize court
action.
Third. 1t is the custom of the
German government as soon as the
sinking of q neutral ship in the above
mentioned zone of naval warfare is
ascrlbed to German war vessels to-
institute an immediate investigation
into the cause. IL grounds appearl
thereby to be given for the associa-I
tion Of such q hypothesis, the Ger
man navy places itself in commune
cation with interested neutral gov
ernments so that the latter may also
institute an investigation.
Would Arbitratc Differences.
"If the German government isl
thereby convinced that the ship hasj
been destroyed by German war yes
sells, it will not delay in carrying out
the provisions of paragraph above
In case the German government.
contrary to the viewpoint of the neu-
tral government is not convinced byl
the result of the investigation, Ger
many has already on several occa
sions declared itself ready to allow
the question to be decided by an in
ternatfonal investigation commission,
according to chapter of The Haguel
October IS, 1907, for theI
peaceful solution of international dis
putes'
(X) indicates word missing inl
text"