The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-18
MCCLURE TELLS
why GERMANS
SINK NEUTRALS
Prominent American Editor
Visited Central Powers.
British Order Merchantships to
Attack Submarines.
HENCE THEY'RE MEN Of WAR
Germany's Policy Warns Neu-
trails OF Enemies Ships.
Offers to Furnish Safety Route
for Neutral Vessels.
HENCE THEY'RE MEN Of WAR
Germany's Policy Warns Neu-
trails OF Enemies Ships.
Offers to Furnish Safety Route
for Neutral Vessels.

The Hague. April 1S.-Samuel s,
Mcclure of New York has arrived
here after spending three months in
Germany, Turkey Austria Hungary,
Belgium and Poland. Mr.. Mcclure
made a special study of Germany 8
submarine policy on which he OBJ
tanned an exact and authoritative
statement which defines Germany 8
standpoint since the resignation OF
Admiral Won Tirpitz as minister of
marine. This statement which Is
dated April Is. follows:
Hostile and Neutral Ships.
''F'irst-In using her submarine
weapon, Germany distinguishes be-
tween hostile and neutral ships
Enemy men-of-war are torpedoed
without warning. Armed enemy
merchantmen are considered warships
This is done for the reason that their
commanders received orders, pub
lished in the German memorandum Of
February to open fire on every Ger
man submarine at sight, even before
any hostile act has been committed.
This makes impossible warning from
a submarine. Enemy merchantmen
are sunk without warning in the war
zones. that is the waters around the
British isles mentioned in the procla-
nation of February 4, 1915. Excep-
ton is made, however, for enemy pas
senger steamers (1iners), which, for
the reasons of humanity, are not sunk
even in the war zone without warning
and only after the saving of the lives
of passengers and crew.
Respects Humanity.
"Second-Regardin neutral ships:
Germany respects both the rights or
neutrals and the principles of human
itv-that is, neutral merchantmen are
sunk only if they carry contraband
and cannot be brought into port by
prize crew No neutral ship is sunk
without previously determining her
identity and cargo, and only after the
saving of the lives of the passengers
and crew. This also applies to neu-
trail ships in the war zone.
"Third-Germany takes into con-
sideration the principles of humanity
inasmuch as she never sinks enemy
passenger steamers Qiners) without
warming, and only after the saving Of
the lives of passengers and crew. AS
portion of the enemy passenger
steamers, however are armed, and as
the English admiralty orders which
are found on British ships and are
published in the German memoranda
of February 8, give every reason to
expect that they will use their arma-
ment for offensive purposes it is pos
sible a naval fight may occur between
such armed passenger boats and the
German naval forces. For this reason
it is advisable for neutral passengers
10 dVClu CraVeInS on dTIltu SHSHiy
passenger boats.
Offers Safe Routing.
"Fourth-In order to maintain in
ternational passenger traffic of neu-
trails the German government several
months ago suggested entering into
negotiations with neutral governments
and designing as absolutely safe, GER
tain specially marked neutral steamers
which would follow certain routes pre-
viously agreed upon. See the note
handed to the American ambassador
July 8, 1915"