The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-20
The Two War Zone Notices.

Representative BARrHoLDT OF Mis-
souri,, with fragrant disregard OF the
Presidents warning to officers OF the
Government to observe neutrality, con-
tinues to use his official position In
the interests Of Germany as a bellig-
erent. From his place on the floor OF
the House yesterday Mr.. BARTHoipr
assailed the United States because 1t
had not protested against the act OF
England in declaring the North Sea
a war zone" when Germany did
the same thing" he said. 1--WE des-
patched n stiff tote to Berlin" The
member from ST. Louis was either pre-
suming upon the ignorance Of his col
leagues and the country or he has
made no comparison Of the announce
ment OF the British Admiralty on
November . with that Of the German
Admiralty on February !. Any fair
minded man may see that there was
n wide difference In the British and
German manner and methods.
We have the British text before Ms.
II begins by stating that during the
last week the Germans have scattered
mines ludiScriminately in the open sea
on the main route from America to
I.iyerpool via the north Of Ireland
Merchan, ships had already been
blown = the White Star liner Olvm-
pic had had q narrow escape. The
Admiralty went on To say:
"In these circumstances having re-
gard 10 the great interests entrusted
to the British navy. to the safety OF
peaceful on the high seas and
to the maint nance within the limits OF
international law OF trade between neu-
trail countries, the Admiralty feel Il
necessary TO adopt exceptional measures
appropriate to the novel conditions
under which this war Is being waged"
Notice was then given that "the
whole OF the North Sea must be con
sidered n military area" Neutrals
were warned that 'all ships passing a
line drawn from the northern point OF
the Hebrides through the Farce Is
lands 10 Iceland do 80 at their own
peril" Neutral ships wishing tC
trade to and from Norway, the Baltic
Denmark and Holland were advised
Ia pass through the English Channe
and the Straits Of Dover. There
said the Admiralty. they will III
given sailing directions which vii
pass them safely. as far as Grea'
Britain Is concerned, up the east coas
of England 10 the Farce Islands
where a safe route will. II possible
he given To I.indesnaes Lighthouse"
The German Admlralty's area o
war; notice. the text OF which wa
published in New York on February
Is still fresh in the public mind. Til,
notice declared ALI the water
around Ireland and Great Britain. in
Guiding the English Channel, an 'are'
OF war" warned neutral vessels ava,
and declared that "in view of the mis-
use OF neutral flags ordered by Grea
Britain and the contingencies OF nava
warfare their becoming victims q
torpedOes directed against the enemy
ships cannot always be averted." Thes
two documents in iuXtapoSition Wi
show that Great Britain intended I
do all In her power 10 safeguard net
tral shipping, even To the furnlsh!n
of pilots. and that Germany was hon
uron disclaiming responsibility If neu
tral ships should he destroyed in he
area of war" whore It was her pm
nose TO wACe submarine warfare upO
enemy merchant ships.
There was no ground for neutri
protest against the British announce
m"nt; the wording of the Germa
notice instantly provoked protest frol
Holland rs well aS from the Unite
states. II is to be regretted that III
German reply 10 the American not
was Of such a nature aS to leave n
room for doubt that the constructlo
PM upon the language Of rhc AREA (
war" proclamation was not unjust
the German Government and WAS eve
inadequate To fathom its designs