Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-29
Presents Note to BelIigerents
Defining Rights of Merchant
Vessels Upon High Seas and
in Neutral Ports,
ARMED MERCHANTMEN
ARE TO BE lNTERNED
Settlement of Vexing Problems
Growing Our of Submarine
Warfare Is Expected to Be
Brought About.
,sv aoss,sa ,ou.s., SPECIAL LEASED ~se,

HCnNlkr JOURNAL tPtCisL LtSetp W'NSf
Washington, Jan. 2S.--A suggestion
that all the belllgercnt countries sub
scribe TO declaration OF priciples
governing attacks on merchant vessels,
has been made by the United States
In an effort to establish in interna-
tlonal law a policy disposns of many
of the vexatious problems arising
from the development Of submarine
warfare
Identical notes have gone forward
asking the various countries at war TO
say specifically whether they are will
ing to Join in such an agreement. The
declaration of principles would pro-
vide.
Rules to Be Observed.
That non -combatants may expect
protection under the rules of interna-
tional law and the principles ofhu-
manity when travelling on merchant
ships that warning must be given be-
fore n mrechantman Is attacked; that
belligerent- owned ships must obey
warnings to stop; that merchantmen
shall not be fired on except in case
of resistance or flight; that no mer-
chantman shall be sunk except where
it is impossible to supply prize crew
or until passengers and crew are
placed in safety that merchantmen
shall not be permitted to mount arms.
Would Settle Principles.
Favorable responses from the bel
ligerents would be looked on as
clinching the principles of submarine
warfare for which the United States
has contended through its extended
negotiations with Germany and Aus
tria and at the same time dlsposng
of q troublesome question recently
acoentuated by the arrival at New
York Of three armed Italian merchant
vessels. Germany and Austria already
have agreed in effect to the propo-
sails regarding attacks on commercial
ships and Great Britain and her allies
always have been understood to be in
accord with the American viewpoint
on that subject.
Warning Is Voiced.
Officials pointed out tonight that
should any of the belligerents fail to
agree with the proposals, the United
States would have no difficulty In en-
forcing the principle so far as 1t con-
cerned vessels entering American
ports. The note itself voiced a warn
ing that this government is consid-
ering adoption of a policy under
which all armed merchantmen that
enter ports of the United states in
future shall be considered war yes
sells subject to the established regu-
lations governing internment.
Announces Changed Policy.
In its note the United States calls
attention to the fact that II has chang
ed its policy toward mounting guns on
merchantmen since submarines be-
gan TO play such large part in ma
val warfare. Officials made 1t clear
that this change had not resulted
fro msuggestions of any foreign gov
ernment, but solely from the changed
conditions
ut was merely from a humanitar-
ian standpoint" said one high official
in discussing the note. "and in order
that there might be some arrange
ment to save innocent lives" What
ever attitude the belligerents adopt in
their replies, 1t was added, the United
States expects to stand on the prin-
cples it has enunciated as sound in
ternational law.