Evening star., 1915-02-18
Rejoiced by Flag Protest.

SJ-ASS0 oy GAo6 \ AoSCSes
Great Britain. then, was in a posi-
tion to make the German measures
illusory if the British merchant
feet persisted in the misuse of neu-
trail flags, and neutral ships could
not otherwise be recognized beyond
doubt Germany. however. being in
state of necessity, wherein she was
placed by violation of law, must
render effective her measures in all
circumstances in order thereby to
compel her adversary to adopt meth
DDS of warfare corresponding with
international law and SO to restore
the freedom of the seas, of which
Germany at all times Is the defender
and for which she today is fighting.
Germany, therefore, rejoices that
the United States has made repre-
sentations to Great Britain concern
ing the illegal use of their flag, and
expresses the expectation that this
procedure will force Great Britain
to respect the American flag in the
future. In this expectation COM
manders of German submarines
have been instructed, as already
mentioned in the note of February
4. to refrain from violent action
against American merchant vessels,
30 far as these can be recognized.
Suggests Warship Convoy.
I'm order to prevent in the surest
manner the consequences Of confu-
sion-though naturally not SO far as
mines are concerned - Germany
recommends that the United States
make their ships which are convey
ing peaceful cargoes through the
British war zone disconcernible by
means Of conveys.
Germany believes 1t may act on
the supposition that only such ships
would be conveyed as carried
goods not regarded as contraband
according to the British interpreta-
ton made in the case Of Germany.
How this method of conveys can
be carried out is a question con-
cerning which Germany is ready to
open negotiations with the United
States as soon as possible"
Urged to Avoid Zone.
Germany would be particularly
grateful. however. II the United
States would urgently recommend to
its merchant vessels to avoid the
British naval war zone, in any case
until the settlement of the flag
question. Germany Is inclined to
the confident hope that the United
States will be able to appreciate in
its entire significance the heavy
battle which Germany is waging for
existence, and that from the fore
going explanations and promises it
will acquire full understanding OF
the motives and the aims of the
measures announced by Germany.
Germany repeats that 1t has now
resolved upon the projected meas
ures only under the strongest neces-
sity of national self-defense, such
measures having been deferred out
of consideration for neutrals.
A Service to Humanity.
IF the United States. in view OF
the weight which it is justified in
throwing and able to throw into the
scales of the fate of peoples. should
succeed at the last moment in re-
moving the grounds which make
that procedure an obligatory duty
for Germany, and II the American
government in particular should
find a way to make the declaration
of London respected-on behalf
also of those powers which are
fighting on Germany's side-and
thereby make possible for Germany
legitimate importation of the neces-
saries of life and industrial raw
material, then the German govern
ment could not too highly appre-
ciate such a service, rendered in the
interests of humane methods of
warfare, and would gladly draw
conclusions from the new situa-
tion.''