Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-02-17
WARNS GERMANY
ON ship THREAT
U, S. Sends Vigorous ASSeT-
ton Of hGutraI'S Rights.
CAUTIONS BRITAIN ON FLAG USE

Note to Berlin Declares That Harm
ing American Ships or Persons Will
Be Regarded UnfriendIy Act-TeIIs
Britain to Discourage Use of U. S.
Emblem on Sea.
Washington, Feb. 12-The texts of
the notes dispatched by the United
States to the governments of Great
Britain and Germany have been made
public here and prove to be the most
vigorous assertions of the rights of
America as a neutral yet made by
this government.
The communication to Germany is
considerably more severe in tone than
had been generally anticipated. So
strong are the representations Am
bassador Gerard has been instructed
to make to Germany with regard to
her implied intentions as to neutral
shipping in the new "war zone" that
they virtually commit the United
States to drastic action if disregard
ed at Berlin.
The United States declares that it
will hold the German government to
, strict accountability for any act of
its naval officers resulting in the de-
struction of bona fide American ship
ping or the loss of American life.
Regards Germany's Threat Incredible.
Ambassador Gerard will assert
that if a German naval officer should
act on the assumption that the Unit
ed States flag was merely conceal
ment of a vessels identity and de-
stroy an American vessel or Ameri-
can life on such an assumption the
United States would view such an
act as an indefensible violation Of
neutrality and not compatible with
the continuance of friendly relations
between the two governments. There
fore, the United States asks of the
German government some assurance
that Americans and their vessels will
not be molested upon the high seas
By German naval forces except
through the exercise of the recognized
right of visit and search. The right
Of Americans and their vessels to be
exempted from any danger from Ger
man naval forces even within the linn
its Of the war zone declared by
it as incredible that the German gov
limits of the war zone declared by
Germany is vigorously asserted
throughout the entire note. 1t is de-
clared that the United States regards
while Ambassador GGerard is to noti-
eminent should really intend to car
ry on its operations in the manner
indicated in the admiralty proclama-
ton and in the supplementary memo
rardum issued by the German foreign
office
Expects Britain to Stop Flag Ruse.
While these strong representations
are made at Berlin Ambassador Page,
at London, on the other hand, is in
structed to inform the British for
eign office that the United States ex-
poets Great Britain to do all in her
power to restrain British vessels from
the deceptive use of the American
fag in the German war zone He will
state, furthermore, that the United
States would hold Great Britain par
TALLY responsible if American ship
ping or American life be lost as
result of the encouragement of such
use of the flag
Must Tell Each Other About It.
Ambassador Page also is instructed
to tell the British government of the
representations being made to Ger.
many regarding the admiralty decree
while Ambassador Gerard is to mott
fy the German government that the
United States is making represent
items regarding the unauthorized use
of the American flag by British ship
ping. The state department regards
the two matters as closely related to
each other especially as the German
government has cited as justification
for it's action an alleged secret order
of Great Britain for its vessels to
fly neutral flags in dangerous waters.
Denies Germany's Insinuations.
The note to Germany denies in
spirited manner, so far as the United
States is concerned, the insinuations
in the German statements that neu-
trails have been acquiescing IN Brit
ish acts hostile tc Germany.