Rock Island Argus., 1915-02-09
Lusitania Incident Held
Common Practice with
Fighting Nations
HAVE WILSON OPINION
Government Not Yet Fully In
formed on Germany'S Brit
ish Isle War Zone.

Wilmington. o. C.. Feb. s.-The ad-
m.Hstratiou view Of the hosting OF
the American flag ON the British
steamship Lusitauia. as stated today
oa tls highest authority. Is that the
uss 0f other haEs By ships o. nations
a. var B such a customary practice
tat no formal protest can be made.
blt char DO would be proper TO send
Great Britain note pointing out dan
Esrs 90 neutral shipping which may
follow i such practice be continued.
Amtassador Page. az Londou. this
ef-eruoou notified the state depart
meEt that the British foreign once
had confirmed 90 him the press re-
ports announcing the hying OF the
American nag over the Lusitania on
recent trip.
EaE1rdiuE establishment OF a war
zla@ by Germany around the British
isles. President Wilson said he was
awaiting the German governments
memarsudum. being forwarded by Am
tassador Gerard. before reaching a de-
cs.o1 on what attitude he would take.
De- said Germany's first proclamation
cu -le subject contained mary ques-
f.Ous on which the United States
would like further explanation Tie
president takes the view that the var
zone proclaimed by Germany does not
constitute a blockade. or even a paper .
blockade. lie stated 30 simply was
warning
The president said action By con-
grLSs could not control use OF the .
american haE--bs 3 ror.ryr Ships and /
that restrictions on such practices
would have 10 come through fntcrna- 4
tionai agreement
High officials apparently attached /
much Importance 10 both the Lusitania 4
and war zone situations. and IL was 4
made clear every effort would be i
made TO protect American rights
Representative Marlin Of South Da-
ko-a today introduced a bill 20 penal
ize foreign ships which fly the Amer
lean flag for purposes OF deception. Il
proposes a fine OF $4,000 to 100000
and coufscation OF the vessel
Simply Warning 20 NeutrsIs.
Berlin. via London. Feb. Ger
msny's naval measures against Brit
ish commerce are in no sense a block
ade. No hostile action against neu-
g - EaAA kNAA4- - NAAAeTsAAa AfAAAa@Aa Z,
German submarines and warships
VlI endeavOr by every means in their
power 70 avoid sinking American OF ,
ether neutral ships. and will take .
every precaution TO avoid a mistake.
T. was also announced in competent .
quarters today that IL might be safe
.y asserted that the Germans have no ,
.rtention OF sinking an American ship ,
1nless she Is carrying contraband Of Z
Fnr. and then only II her crew can be :
given the possibility Of escape 4
% vas added. however. that war
measures would be carried out against Z
British trade with all possible severity ;
TO give England a taste OF her own !
.
Why Neutrsls Are Warned c
The warming to neutral shipping. Il J
was asserted. was considered as par c
.ic1larly needed in view OF the report ,
"a order 20 British ships 70 hoist
leutraI flag whenever they are in dan
per. an order which. II adhered 20.
would make IL difficult for a German
Earship 20 discriminate between neu- d
Fal and hostile shippiDs-
The proclamation declaring the e
featTH aEOuuQ GIGaE tElt4au 70 ur a
var zone. like similar British meas e
res which were taken 80 a prece-
lent. - designed IL was asserted. TO :
yarn ueutrais that ship venturins = =
nt0 the naval field OF operations =
goEH expose itself. IN the same fash = =
on a. a civilian wandering on land
attiehcid. TO the risk OF being struck a
y chance shot.
osela Again Delayed.
Norfolk. Va. Feb. S.-The steam
zip Dacla. cotton-Iaden from Calves =,
7u. vas held up on the second stage
z her voyage TO Rotterdam last night :
Ter N or more Of her crew refused =
b continue in service A fireman >
no said he represented several Of -
BE- crew. told United States Commis- - =,
.ouer Hamilton that some OF the sail - :.
- feared the Dacia would be detained =
y a British warship-
Captain Mcdonald said he did not
nCW when the Dacfa would sail
Woman Flies Over Gotham
New York. Feb. 9.-Mrs- r. G. Sauf-
y. wife Of Lieutenant Sauhey. u . -
q. lar no.