Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-27
WILSON GIVES OUT
ARMED SHIP POLICY
Washington Issues Statement De-
filming View Of United States
on Question.
PLANNED AS CIRCULAR NOTE

WASHINGTON, April ga
statement defining the attitude Of
the United States toward armed mer-
chant ships was maze public todag
by the state department by direction
OF President Wilson. II originally
was prepared as a circular note 20
other powers, but II later was de-
cided to issue IL as a statement
The statement holds TO the right
Of a merchant ship to arm for pro-
lection only, but declares that "mer-
chant men which have used their
armaments for aggressive purposes
are not entitled to the same hospi-
tality In neutral ports as peaceable
armed merchantmen,
status Of Armrd ships.
'rhe status Of an armed merchant yes-
nel OF . boliFerent' says the statement
''is TO be considered from The point Of
view Of neutral when the vessel enters
it's ports. and from that Of nm enemy
when the vessel ls on the high ReaH."
The statement treats at length hese dr.
ferences in Satus and suma them up as
follows.
9TH status Of an armed merchant YES
sci as warship in neutral waters may
be determined In the absence OF docu-
nentary proof or conclusive evidence Of
previous aggressive conduct by presump-
tion derived from all circumstances OF
the case.
The status Of such vessel az q warship
on the high seas must be determined only
upon conclusive evidence Of aggressive
purpose IN the absence of which Il IA To
be presumed that the vessel has a pri-
vats and peaceful character and Il should
be 10 treated by an enemy warship.
TN brief neutral government may
proceed upon the presumption that an
armed merchant vessel Of belligerent ma
tionalIty is armed for aggression, while n
belligerent should proceed on the pre-
sumption that the vessel ig armed for
protection, Both OF these presumptlons
may be overcome by eyidence--ths first
By secondary Or collateral evidence since
the fact TO be established IL negative in
character the second by primary and di-
rect evidence since the fact to be estob-
lishcd ia positive In character
Assumption OF Neutral.
Then the statement goes on 0t length
10 take up the rights and duties OF neu-
trails and bellgerents az affected by the
state Of armed merchant vessels in neu-
trel ports and ON the high seas II lays
down the rule that while merchantmen
armed only for protection against the
enemy are entitled 10 entor and leave
eutra ports without hindranee in the
course OF legitimate trade, they are not
50 entitled under certain circumstances
which are detailed ss folows:
Armed merchantmen Of bclllgerenl
nationality under o commission or orders
of their government 10 usa, under penalty.
their armament for aggressive purposos
or merchantmen. which without such
comnission or orders. have used their
armaments for aggressive purposes, are
not entitled 70 the same hospitality IN
reuiral ports as peacsble armed mer
ohantment"
Charges Of German Note.
The German note on the question Of
armed merchantmen 10 which the state
mont II regarded ~ an answer, charged
that British merchant ships were armed
to attack submarines and that their com
manders were under secret orders from
The admiralty TO do so and that reward ;
rad ten offered to commanders who sue
ceeded IN destroying submarines
The statement declares that there is a
distinct difference between the exercise
OF the right Of self-protection and the
act ot cruising tho seas IN an armed yeg-
sci for the purpose Of attacking enemy
naval yessels'
A enuith 0emando