Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-06
KAISER'S LATEST
MOVE DISCUSSED
BY THE CABINET
Extension of Naval War Zone is
Considered in Washington Most
Serious Development.
IT PRESENTS NEW PROBLEMS
Submarines Were Not Factors in
Warfare When international
Prize Rules Were Made.
PROTEST IS NOT PROBABLE NOW

WASHINGTON, Feb. b.-Ger-
many's declaration of naval war
zone around Great Britain and Ire
land. including the English channel
and the northern passage by the
Shetland islands, is regarded here as
one of the most serious developments
of the war.
II was regarded as highly possible
for one thing, that It would hasten
the movement begun by the Latin
American countries for a speedy con-
ference of neutral states TO devise
means to reduce losses to neutral
commerce to a minimum.
At first there we're some intima-
tions in administration circles that
it might be the subject OF protest
by the United States, but the official
view developed that. there was little
or no ground for that, and II was
recalled that no protest was made
when the North Sea was strewn with
mines.
Sweden. Norway Denmark and Holland
have repeatedly addressed the state de-
partment here TO gain American backing
| for measures 20 relieve distress in their
commerce and tho latest German procla-
nation is expected 20 cause a redoubled
leffort for measures to protect themselves.
Lansing Acts for bryan.
Counselor Lansing of the state depart
ment took Secretary Bryan's chair ut the
cabinet meeting today.
Neither the State department nor the
Germany embassy had received the latest
Berlin admiralty statement and II was
stated at the German embassy that the
Berlin foreign office probably would de-
liver copies to diplomatic Representatives
in Berlin and regard that notice as suf-
ficient Yesterdays proclamation is an
extension Of a former one delivered by
Ambassador Gerard applying to the north
and west coasts OF France.
| There 10 no precedent in dealing with
the question because heretofore subma-
rines have played no important part In
warfare and all OF the rules OF interna.
tional law are framed with special refer.
Ience TO ordinary ships. The ordinary prac
ticas in taking prizes and dealing witl
1.-The merchant ships of an enemy which
III is not feasible to take as prizes, ar
clearly set ctit and established by Ions
usage The merchantmen must be halted
boarded and either made prize or sunk
But in the latter case crew and passen
gers must be taken off. ai
While it was noticeable the proclama
tion ia directed against enemy ships
and applies to neutral ships. only whei
the attacks were meant for enem.
ships" through suspicion OF misuse o
the neutral flags. officials expresse,
grave concern over the Implied threat 4
sink merchant vessels, probably withou
warning or taking off of noncombatan
passengers and crews.
During consideration OF the subject b!
the state department American mariner
probably VIII be expected TO heed tn
German warning and enter forbidden
waters only at their own risk, precisel
what they have been doing In the Nortl
sea since notice several months age
from both the British and German gov
ernments that owing TO the planting o
mines It would be regarded as within III
war zone.
The notice from the British govern
ment that It Is contemplating retaliatio
against GeIfnan tfaue, tnouen not tOi
mally before the State department. ha
given rise to much speculation on tn
} part OF officials as to what the Britis
have in mind.
Although II has been denied that oi
ficial declaration that food supplies ar
contraband has been issued. II Is believe
the British notice forecasts the speed
issue OF some such declaration. And.
addition to this trying TO cut off Gel
I, many's supply by water, It is believed I
= be possible that the British may max
the blow more severe by prohibiting N
tre ensportauon OF cotton to Germany.
Cotton Is a base OF some forms {
= smokeless powder. as we'll as the hig
explosive gun cotton used In the wal
heads OF torpedo and submarine mine
Aside from deprlvlng Germany OF this
: necessary article. the British enforcemeI
= of such an order would deal a heay
blow to the German textile factorie
which are now Just beginning TO TeceiN
!, almost normal supplies from the Unite
States.
Officials did not view the Germs
y proclamation as threat 10 destroy mel
; tral ships II found in the war zone. bl
as a warning that all ships entered the
at their own risk.