The Red Cloud chief., 1916-02-17
OFD|vER UPHELD.
U. s. NOTE TO POWERS DENIES
RIGHT TO ARM LINERS FOR
DEFENSE.
GERMAN EDlCT IS APPROVED
Americans May Be Warned Not to
Travel on Belllgerent Ships Which
Carry Guns for Protection Against
Submarine Attacks.

Washington, Feb. 14.-The decIara'
tion by the central powers OF their pur-
pose after March next to regard
armed merchant ships as warships
and sink them on sight is In exact ac-
cordance with the new policy OF the
United States as laid down by the
American note OF January Is.
IL ts expected President Wilson now
will give instructions to all port OF
ficials directing them to consider
armed merchantmen as auxiliary
cruisers and to apply to them the
rules under which such vessels must
depart within twentyfour hours after
arrival or after necessary repairs are
made or stores taken on board.
1t is expected further that warnings
will be issued directing Americans not
to travel on belligcrent armed mer-
chant ships.
The note, by direction OF tho secre-
tary of state to American ambassadors.
was addressed to the European bel
ligerents in connection with the recog'
milton Of submarines as commerce de-
stroyers and the desirablity OF the dis
armament of bell,gerent merchantmen.
Its text In part Is as follows:
1T is matter OF the deepest In
terest to my government to bring to
an end. II possible. the dangers of life
which attend the use of submarines as
ut present employed in destroying
enemy commerce on the high seas.
since on any merchant vessel OF bel.
lgerent nationality there may be citi
zens OF the United States who have
taken passage or members Of the crew
in the exercise of their recognized
rights as neutrals.
While l am fully alive to the ap-
palling loss Of life among noncombat-
ants. regardless OF age or sex. which
has resulted from the present method
of destroying merchant vessels with
out removing the persons on board to
places OF safety and while view that
practice as contrary to those humane
principles which should control bel
ligerents In the conduct OF their naval
operations. l do not feel that a bel
ligerent should be deprived of the
proper use OF submarines in the in
vasion OF commerce. since those in
strumcnts OF war have proved their
effectiveness In this practical branch
OF warfare on the high seas.
Your government will understand
that In seeking formula or rule ap
proach 1t Of necessity from the point
OF view Of a neutral, but believe that
It will be equally eillcacious In pre-
serving the lives of noncombatants on
merchant vessels OF belligerent nation
alities.
my comments on this subject arc
predicated on the following PROPOSE
tions:
Il. A noncombatant has q right e
traverse the high seas In merchant
vessel entitled to fly belligerent flag
to rely upon the observance of the
rules Of international law and princi
pies Of humanity. and If the vessel |!
approached by naval vessel of an
other belligerent the merchant vesse
OF enemy nationality should not be at
tackled without being ordered to stop
"2. An enemy merchant vessel whei
ordered to do so by beligerent sub
marine should Immediately stop.
"3. Such vessel should nc. be al
tackled after being ordered to stop un
less 1t attempts to fee or resist. Ii
case II ceases to fee or resist, the al
tack should be discontinued.
-. In the event that 1t is impossibl
to place a prize crew on board of a
enemy merchant vessel, or to convo
II into port. the vessel may be sunl
provided the crew and passenger
have been removed to a place OF SAT,
ty,
1T would therefore appear to be
reasonable and reciprocally Just a
rangoment II 1t could be agreed by III
opposing belligerents that submarine
should be caused to adhere strictly I
the rules OF international law in Ii
matter of stopping and searching me
chant vessels, determining their be
ligeront nationality and removing Il
crews and passengers to places
safety before sinking the vessels ,
prizes of war. and that merchant We
sells OF belligerent nationality shou
be prohibited from carrying any arm
ment whatsoever.
Il should add that my governme
is impressed with the reasonablene
OF the argument that a merchant ve
sci carrying an armament OF any 30
should be held to be an auxiliary cru
er and so treated by neutral as W,
as by belligerent government and
seriously considering instructing
officials accordingly"
IL q