South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-13
BELIEVE OTHERS
WILL FOLLOW j. 8.
IN SEA PROTEST
Government Is Satisfied With
General Approval in This
Country of Notes Sent to
Great Britain and Germany.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-Satisfed
with the general approval given in
this country TO the notes sent 10 Ger
many and England, serving notice
that this government proposes to up
hold its rights on the high seas the
administration today awaited official
word from its ambassadors at Berlin
and London.
Opinions OF diplomats vary as to
the nature of the replies from Ger
mand and Great Britain, but the rep
resentatives of the neutral nations
appeared to be a unit in approving
the strong tone OF the American
communications.
There were suggestions today in
government circles that the lead of
the United States would be followed
by other nations not at war. lit was
intimated that three Scandinavian
countries particularly might be ex-
pected to join in representations to
both Germany and Great Britain.
Separate suggestions from other
neutral countries following the argu-
ments in the American note also were
taken as strong possibilities.
IL was suggested that the sending
of a strong warning to Germany was
recognized by the administration as
necessary TO guard against the devel-
opment of a critical situation, should
arose following the blowing UP of the
Maine in Havana. harbOr.
The United States has not asked
and Will not ask the support of other
neutral nations on the position in the
| notes which it sent Thursday to
Great Britain and Germany.
The misuse Of the American flag
by Great Britain and the threat by
Germany against neutral ships enter
ing the North sea zone after Feb. IS
are questions upon which the United
| States prefer to make its own repre-
sentation and deal with in every phase
as the judgment of its own state de-
| partment may dictate.
These statements are made with Of
| fetal authority.
This does not mean that the United
States will not be pleased to have
other neutrals make similar repre-
sentations to those forwarded by this
government. 1t means only that the
United States wishes to conduct in its
own way the diplomatic negotiations
| on the issues which this government
has raised
Members of the foreign affairs COM
mittee of the two houses were not in
clined Friday to discuss freely and for
publication the terms of the notes sent
to Great Britain and Germany.
Stone is Hopeful.
Sen. Stone, chairman of the senate
foreign affairs committee, was of
course an exception. As the repre-
sentative of the administration in con-
gress his endorsement was expected
He gave it in these words:
Il think the notes were advisable
and sufficient and 1 hope that they
will have the result desired by this
country. No man would be justified
at present in expressing more than a
hope as 10 the action 10 be taken by
belligerent governments but I am
very hopeful that the communications
sent to Germany and England will
have a satisfactory response"
But it can be stated as the result
of careful inquiry that the position
| taken by the state department in both
notes met with general approval on
the part of the members of both
houses charged with legislative re-
sponsibility for the conduct of foreign
affairs
The only criticism which was made
either among republicans or demo-
Gratis was on the phraSing of the notes.
Criticise Wording.
on this point one of the a,blest dip
! lomatS in congress expressed the Opin-
ion that liz view of the high tension
now prevailing in Great Britain and
Germany the position of this govern
ment should have been set forth in
| more diplomatic language. He thought
that the contentious of the United
States could have been made Just as
clear and positive and at the same
time carried less offense to sensibil-
| tiles already overwrought.
This he thought was particularly
true of the note TO Germany.