The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-02-11
One to British and Other to
German Government
From u. S.
EXPLANATION ASKED
OF EACH COUNTRY
Kaiser Asked to Tell What Steps Will
be Taken to Identify Neutral Ships
England Requested to Explain Use
of Stars and Stripes.

WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-THE United |
States government yesterday sent note
to Great Britain making friendly observa-
tons on the use By British ships of neu-
trail flags and at the same time dispatched
communication to Germany inquiring
what steps would be taken by German
naval commanders to verify the identity
of ships flying neutral flags in the recently
proclaimed zones of war around England
and Ireland.
While the Lustania incident is not men
toned the representations to Great Brit
ain are based on the statement of the
British foreign office justifying the use Of
neutral flags by her merchantmen to es-
cape capture. The American government
points out how frequent and continued
use Of this stratagem might cast doubt on
the character of vessels really entitled to
fly the American flag and produce dangers
TO which neutral ships should not be sub
| jected on the high seas and in unblockaded
waters.
| In the note TO Germany it is understood
| the United States asked how the German
admiralty proposed to carry out in prac-
| tice its recent proclamation of war on
merchant ships and its warning that on
account of the misuse of neutral flags by
| hclhgerents' vessels neutral ships could
| not always he OlSllD8ttlsGCO when an at
tack was made The introduction OF the
submarine into warfare produces a situa-
ton not covered by an existing declaration
OF international law, but the United States
has made it clear, it is understood, that
an attack on 4 vessel flying the American
flag without first ascertaining definitely
that such use was fictitious could not but
be viewed grayely by the American govern
ment and bring about serious compiled
tons.
The United States has not fully ex
pressed itself on the German prOclama
ton, however, combining itself for the pres
ent to an inquiry for more information OF
, which future representations may or may
not be based. There Is no evidence as yet
, for example, that any American ship viii
: he threatened for German naval command
2 crs may have a complete list and deserip
ton OF such vessels, making it possible Il
r give assurances that no American shiI
r viii he molested. The communication
= merely seeks to learn more definitely Will
e what hazards an American ship might b.
e confronted if passing through the newl!
e prescribed sea zones and what steps vii
e he taken by the German navy to give I'm
|. restricted passage to- American vessel
i travelling through the waters.
c Both notes to be presented by tn
o American ambassadors at London and Ben
lin are brief and oouched in fricndl
/ spirit. Neither makes a protest, but eac
J. points out how the recent development
o may seriously embarrass the voyages c
il neutral ships on the high seas, which a
e ways have been considered free to ther
t in times of war as well as peace.
Secretary Bryan declined to discus
5 either communication, hut probably til
!, text of both or paraphrase will he mad
;, public as soon as the kilograms reac
/. their respective destinations. The cours
T. OF the American government has bee
as more or less foretold by President Wilson
Of who has pointed out to callers that viii
d there Is no rule OF international la
he against the use of neutral flag by a he
Is llgerent vessel and the ruse is often resor
e ed to in times of war, nevertheless it ";
{. regarded as proper in the circumstances
make representations on the dangers
ncutrals which might ensue from sue
changes in flag during a voyage of a helH
l. erent ship.