New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-09


the State Department probably will
address a note Of warning 20 Germany,
calling attention 90 the fact that such
methods are menace TO Americans
who may be travelling on such ships.
Open Boat Question.
The department will also keep a
watchful eye as to whether German
submarine commanders expose passen-
gers to danger 10 open boats. though
recognizing that lifeboats may, under
favorable conditions of weather ana
proximity TO shore be place OF
safety" within the meaning of inter
national law, Germany will be held nc
countable for loss Of life resulting
from exposure in unfavorable circum-
stances.
Administration officials began consid-,
ering to-day the complete translated
documents appended to the German
declaration Of intentions. IL was IN
dicated that the next move by the
United States might take the form or
an inquiry to Great Britain as TO the
authenticity Of the German confidential
copies Of alleged instructions to Brit
ish sea captains.
When attention was called to the ap-
parent discrepancies between the Ger
man and the British versions OF the
instructions officials pointed out tha'
The date in the German version was
prior to that in the British version; IL
was said that future events would be
considered in the light OF the orders
now I'm force. The United States Will
accent the assurances of the British
government as TO which orders are IN
force, Just "a it will accept the assur-
ances of Germany regarding any action
by that government
High officials said the entire subject
would be given careful study and con-
sideration in an effort to reach con
clusion which would be fair 70 all the
nations concerned, and upon which the
United States could stand hereafter.
Meanwhile, should an American citizen
be involved In an attack on an armed
merchant ship, upon the facts in the
case will depend whatever action is
taken.
German Memorandum.
The complete text Of the memo
randum presented by Count Won Bern
storff follows:
1.-THE imperial German government
on account Of the friendly relations
which have always existed between the
two great nations, and earnestly de-
string 10 continue them, wishes to ex-
plain the U-boat question once more TO
the American government.
AT the outbreak of the war the Ger
man government, acting upon the sug-
restion of the United States, immedl-
ately expressed its readiness TO ratlty
the Declaration of London. AT that
time a German prize code had already
been issued, which was entirely and
without modification based upon the
rules of the Declaration of London.
Germany thereby proved her willing
ness TO recognize fully the existing
rules of international law which insure
the freedom of the seas for the legiti-
mate trade of neutral nations, not only
among themselves, but also with belllg-
erent countries.
"Great Britain, on the other hand,
declined 10 ratify the Declaration of
London and after the outbreak of the
war. began to restrict the legitimate
trade Of the neutrals in order TO hit
Germany. The contraband provisions
were Systematically extended on Au-
gust 8 and 20, September Il and Oc-
tober 20, 1914.
North Sea Made War Zone.
"On November 5, 1914, the order OF
the British Admiralty followed, declar-
ing the whole North Sea war zone, IN
which Commercial! shipping would be
exposed to the most serious danger
from mines and men-o-war. Protests
from neutrals were Of no avail, and
from that time on the freedom Of neu-
trail commerce with Germany was prac-
tically destroyed. Under these circum-
stances Germany was compelled TO re-
sort, in February, 1915, TO reprisals IN
order to fight her opponents measures,
which were absolutely contrary to IN
ternational law. She chose for this
purpose a new weapon, the use Of which
had not yet been regulated by inteTna,
tional law, and in doing so could and
did not violate any existing rules, but
only took into account the popularity
of this new weapon, the submarine
boat.
1.-THE use of the submarine naturally
necessitated a restriction OF the free
movement Of neutrals, and constituted
a danger for them which Germany in
tended to ward off by a special warn
ing analogous TO the warning England
had given regarding the North Sea.
"As both belligerents-Germany IN
her note of February II and Great Brit
ain IN those Of February is and 20