Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-12

zeal situation IN respect OF the rcla-
tions between this country and Ger
many which might arise were the
German naval forces, In carrying out
the policy foreshadowed in the adj
miralty's proclamation, to destroy
any merchant vessel of the United
States or cause the death Of Ameri-
can citizens
"'lt Is, Of course, not necessary 20
remind the German government that
the solo right Of beillgerent In deal
ing with neutral vessels, on the high
seas Is limited to visit and search.
unless blockade IS proclaimed and
effectively maintained, which this gov
ernment does not understand To be
proposed in this case. To declare or
exercise right to attack aud de-
stroy amy vessel entering d prescribed
area OF the high seats without first
certainly determining les bellleerent
nationality and the cOntraband char
I actor OF It's cargo would be an act so
unprecedented In naval warfare that
Tins government IS reluctant 70 be-
Tiieve thafThe lfiperlsl goycrnmcnt or
Germany In this care contefnplatcs II
as possible The Huspiclon that enemy
ships are using neutral flags lmprop-
eriy can create no just presumption
-
area are subject TO the snlne suspi-
cion. II il to determine exactly such
questions that this government under
stands the right of visit and search
to have been recognized
This government has carefully
noted the explanatory statement is-
sued by the imperial German govern
ment and very respectfully states that
the government OF the United States
is open to none OF the criticisms for
unneutfal action TO which the Ger
man government believe the govern
ments Of certain other neutral ma
tions have laid themselves open that
the government of the United States
has not consented to or acqulesced In
any measure which may have been
! taken by the other belligerent ma
| tlons IN the present war which oper-
ate TO restrain neutral trade, but has,
on the contrary, taken IN all such
1 matters a position which warrants IL
! In holding those governments respon-
1 sible la the proper way for any unto
ward effects on American shipping
which the accepted principles of IN
ternatiOnal law do not justify; and
that 1t. therefore regards itself az free
IN the present instance TO take with "a
clear conscience and upon accepted
principles the position Indicated in
| this note
"'lf the commanders Of German
vessels Of war should art upon the
presumption thal the flag Of the
/ United states was not being used in
good faith and sliodld destroy on tho
| high seas an American vessel or the
( lives of American citizens, II would
\ be difficult for the government of the
! United states TO view the action in
any other light than as an indefen-
sible violation of neutral rights which
| II would be very hard indeed TO rec
onclle with the friendly relations now
so happily existing between the two
I governments
warning l. specific.
'lf such deplorhble situation
/ should arise, the imperial German
government eau readily appreciate
I that the government uf the United
States would be constrained to hold
the imperial German government to
strict accountability for such acts
OF their naval authorities and TO take
any steps It might be necessary to
take TO safeguard American lives and
property and to secure to American
citizens the fun enjoyment Of their
acknowledged rights On the high seas.
States. IN view OF these considerations
which It urges with this greatest rs-
spect and with the sincere purpose VI
making sure that no misunderstand-
| ing may arise and no circumstances
occur that might even cloud, the in
tercourse Of the two governments, ex~
presses the confident hope and ex-
pectation that the imperial German
government can aud will give assur-
ance that American citizens and their
vessels win not be niolested by the
naval forces CT Goruiung# otherwise
than by visit and search, though
their vessels may be traNersing the
sea area deiniited IN the proclanla-
tion of the German admiralty
II Is added for The information
Of the imperial government that rep
reservations have been made to his
Britannia majesty's government IN
respect TO the unwarranted use OF the
American flag for the protection or
British ships
letter to Great britain.
rFebruary 10, tela.~-The secretary
of state has instructed Ambassador
Page at London TO present to the
British government 4 note TO the fol-
lowing effect
srhe department has been advis-
| ed OF the declaration Of the German
admiralty On EeornaIx 4tll ineicat-
fcontinaed ~ rase 1we4