New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-02
ALLIES INFORM
i. 5. OF REPRISAL
AGAINST KAISER
Seize Note Issue to En-
phasize Germany'S
Blockade.
SUBMARINE WAR
FORCES ACTION
All Enemy's Commerce TO Be
Stopped, but Neutral Ships
Respected.

from Tie Trihur, BIrcauI
Washington, June l. The British
and French governments have in
formed tho United States TINT retalia-
tory measures against Germany will
be enforced. without risk either for
the vessels or the lives Of neutrals and
Of non-combatants. and in strict con-
formity with humane principles. This
became known here to-day through the
publication Of communication from
Ambassador Sharp, in Paris, dated
March go
The announcement q the humane in
tcntious Of the Ert.sh and French
governments is in declaration issued
by tho French government on March 1.
but the text Of which has not before
been given out, and there is striking
similarity in the sentiments expressed
therein and those Of President vii
sons recent note to Germany. The
declaration Is as follows:
Germany has declared the English
Channel, tho northern and western
coasts Of France, as well as the waters
surrounding the British Isles, TO be
war zone and has officially pro
claimed that all enemy vessels found
in this zone will be destroyed, and
that neutral vessels there might be IN
danger This is IN reality a claim to
torpedo n sight. without regard for
the safety Of crew and passengers, any
merchant vessel under any flag. As Il
is not IN the power Of the German Ad-
miraity 20 maintain any vessel on the
surface 30 these waters, this attack
can he carried out only by submarine
means.
international law and tho custom
Of nations regarding attack against
commerce have always presumed that
the first duty Of the captor OF mer-
chant vessel is 10 take it before a
prize court where IL can be judged.
where the regularity Of the capture
can be determined and where neutrals
may recover their cargo To sink
captured vessel is in itself question
able act. 20 which recourse can be had
only under extraordinary circumstances
and after measures have been taken
20 assure the safety Of all the crew
and the passengers, II there are pas
sougers on board.
Responsibility with the Submarine.
"The responsibility Of distinguishing
between neutral and enemy cargo, as
vel. as between neutral and enemy
vessels, is manifest.y incumbent on the
attacking vessel whose duty II IS 10
verify the status and the character OF
the vessel and its cargo, As well as TO
place all papers in safety before SINK
ing, or even making capture. Also,
the duty toward humanity, consisting
in assuring the safety Of crews or
merchant vessels, whether they are
neutral or enemy, is an Obligation TOT
every bell gercnt. j. - on TINS DaSIs
that all previous discussions OF the
law aiming at regulating the conduct
Of war at sea have been conducted.
"Iu fact, a German submarine is in
capable Of fulfilling any one Of these
ALLEGATIONS. II exercises no local power
on the waters in which IT operates.
II does not bring It's capture within
the Jurisdiction Of prize court II
does not carry any prize crew which
il can put aboard prize. 1t employs
no effective means Of Distinguishing
between neutral and an enemy yes
sci. Il does not, by taking them
on board assure the safety Of the
crew and passengers of the vessels
which Il sinks. It's methods Of war
are consequently entirely outside the
observance Of all international texts
governing operations against com
merce in time Of war The German
declaration substitutes for regulated
capture blind destruction.
Retaliation Against Germany.
Germany adopts these methods
against peaceful merchants and nom
combatant crews. with the ayowed IN
tention Of preventing merchandise of
every kind Including provisions for
feeding the civil population from en-
tering or leaving the British Isles and
Northern France. Her adyersaries are
consequently forced 20 have recourse
to measures Of retaliation. SO as to
prevent reciprocally merchandise Of all
kinds from reaching or leaving Ger
many. However, these measures will
be enforced by the French and British
governments without risk either for
the vessels or the lives Of neutrals
and OF -combatants, and in strict
conformity with humane principles.
consequently. the French govern
ne,t and the British government con-
slider themselves free 20 stop and con
duct into their ports vessels carrying
merchandise presumably destined for
fN. tr.u.r rrDrprtv Of the prafnv az