Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-10-11
] ote DeclarS U-BoatS Will
BE Accorded Treatment
Due Them.
J 0 INTERNATIONAL
LAWS WERE BROKEN
.\mcrica Concerned Not in
Raid, But Care Taken of
Rescued Persons.
\XIAsHINGToN. oct. 1O.-subma-

WAsilNGToN' oct 1O'-subma-
w rines of bclligcrcnt powers vis-
iting American waters viii be ac-
corded the treatment which is their
due as warships under international
law.
This fact has been made known to
the entente allied powers by the state
department at Washington in answer
To memorandum from Great Britain.
France. Russia and Japan asking that
submarines of every character he pre-
vented from aVailing themselves of
neutral waters, and that such vessels
entering neutral harbors be informed.
To a seemingly implied warning m
the entente allied note that American
submarines might be mistaken 10y all
lied warships for enemy submarines
should they navigate waters visited 10y
belligerent submarines the state de
partment announces that RESPONSE
bitty for the failure OF "A warship TO
distinguish between submarines Of
neutral and belligerent nationality
must rest entirely upon the Negligent
power"
WIN Confer Again To-day.
President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing have discussed at length the
visit of German submarine to waters
adjacent to the coast of the United
States and will continue their confer
ence Wednesday. The German under
sea craft which played havoc with
enemy neutral steamers off Nantucket
Sunday has not been heard of since
the last steamer was sent to the bot
tom Sunday night.
The text of the American memo
randum replying to that OF the al
lied governments regarding treatment
of belligerent submarines In neutral
ports is as follows:
The government of the United
States has received the identical
memoranda OF the governments of
France. Great Britain, Russian and
Japan in which neutral governments
nre exhorted "to take efficacious
measures tending to prevent belliger-
ont submarines, regardless of their
use, to avail themselves of neutral
waters. roadsteds and harbors."
These governments point out the
FACILITY possessed by such craft to avoid
supervision or surveillance or deter
mination OF their national character
and their power ito do injury that is
inherent in their very nature" AZ well
as the additional facilities afforded
by having at their disposal places
where they can rest and replenish
their supplies.
Asked submarines Exclusion.
Apparently on these grounds the
allied governments hold that "Subma
rine vessels must be excluded from
the benefit of the rules heretofore
accepted under international law re-
garding the admission and sojourn of
war and merchant vessels in neutral
waters, roadsteds or harbors, any sub
marine of "A belligerent that once en-
FOL hu ri ha
there" and therefore the allied gov
ernments warn the neutral powers Of
the great danger to neutral Subma-
rines attending the navigation of
waters visited by the submarines of
belllgerents.
In reply the government OF the
nited States must express its sur /
prise that there appears to be an
I ldeavor of the allied powers to de- |
,rmine the rule of action governing |
what they regard as a "novel stu
alton" in respect to the use OF suhwr- |
Iines in time OF war and to enforce |
of'that rule, at least in |
uart, hv warning neutral powers OF |
the great danger to their submarines |
f. waters that may be visited by bel |
serent submarines.
In the opinion of the government |
| the United States the allied pow |
Crs have not set forth any circum- |
ances nor Is the government of the /
| nited States at present aware of any /
u rcumstances concerning the use of .
var or merchant submarines which /
e-nuld render the existing rules Of /
lternational law inapplicable to |
ZEN.
Can't Dictate to United States.
In view Of this fact and OF the |
! otice and warning of the allied /
wers announced in their memoir /
la under acknowledgment II Is in
mbent upon the government of the !
nited States to notify the govern /
cnts OF France, Great Britain. Rus
and Japan that so far as the
oatment of either war or merchant
bmarines in American waters is
,ncerned the government Of the
nited States reserves its liberty OF
,tion in all respects and will treat
ch vessels as in its opinion becomes
ie action of a power which may be
id to have taken the first steps
ward establishing the principles of
autrality and which for over a cen
ry has maintained those principles
the traditional spirit and with the
gh sense Of impartiality in which
ley were conceived.
In order, however. that there should
be 10 misunderstanding as TO the at
titude OF the United States the gov.
ernment OF the United States an
uounces to the allied powers that It
holds It to be the duty OF oelligerent
nowera 70 distinguish between sub
marines Of neutral and belligercnt ma
tionalitv and that responsibility FOR
any conflict that may arise between
belligerrit warships and neutral suo-
rarires on account Of neglect of a
10 distinguish between
these classes OF submarines must rest
'.ntirely upon the negligent power.